Abstract: The handling dishes and like articles before washing them comprises the transport of the articles on special trays formed with bottom apertures permitting the passage therethrough of members for driving, lifting and tilting the articles by moving the members in a vertical plane. Thus, the articles are picked up from the trays and dropped onto a transfer path or another conveyor directing them to the washing means. The apparatus has retractable stop means for retaining the trays during the removal of the articles carried thereby, lever arms adapted to engage the tray apertures, and guide means for directing the thus removed dish articles to the transfer path or other conveyor.