Abstract: A sorting machine 10 having a lifting and rotating apparatus 11 which includes a rotatable platform 16 upon which a stack of pallets 1 can rest so as to be supported from underneath and a scissor lift 14 for raising and lowering the stack so that the uppermost pallet 1 is moved firstly to an inspection level where it is rotated with the rotatable platform 16 for exposing its top and sides to an operator and then to a transfer level. The machine 10 also has a support device 12 having tynes 17 which moves into an extended position to support and maintain the pallet 1 at the transfer level when the scissor lift 14 is lowered to thereby expose the bottom of the pallet to the operator, and a transfer carriage 13 to engage opposite sides of the pallet 1 and support the pallet 1 from underneath. The pallet 1 is then transported by the transfer carriage 13 to one of a plurality of outfeed stations 25 after the support device 12 is moved into its retracted position.