Abstract: A ring spinning or twisting machine is provided with a cop-removal device arranged to automatically remove all full cops simultaneously from the spindle row of the machine and to replace them with empty cop spools. The cop-removal device comprises a plurality of take-up members each associated with a respective spindle and movable only in the axial direction thereof, and a conveyor extending parallel to the spindle row and arranged to transport the empty spools and full cops respectively to and from the machine. The conveyor has a first row of pins arranged to receive full cops after they have been removed from the spindles by the take-up members, and a second row of pins for carrying empty spools to be picked up by the take-up members and placed on the spindles. The conveyor is movable horizontally transverse the spindle row to bring the two rows of pins into coaxial alignment with the axes of the spindles when required.