Abstract: A charging box for a scrap metal shear is provided with a top opening where a compressed block of scrap metal may be loaded. A first ram is provided to the rear of the scrap metal block so that it may be pushed forward for a short distance in the charging box. A second ram is provided whose rear most position is behind the forward most position of the first ram means. After the first ram is retracted the second ram means is brought into position behind the block of scrap to continue movement of the scrap block into the shear. The two rams are so arranged that while the second ram is feeding a block of scrap metal into the shear a second block may be loaded into the charging box and moved forward by the first ram until the first ram has reached its forward most position where the block of scrap may then be engaged by the second ram when it is returned from feeding the first block of scrap into the shear.