Abstract: A loading shell is carried by a movable arm so that a billet to be extruded can be brought from a loading station (furnace) into line with the extrusion axis, between a billet container and a die, extrusion stem or die stem. A pusher which pushes the billet into the container is mounted, together with its displacement drive, on the carrying arm. The pusher is in the form of a carriage which is equipped with an extension and is movable along guide rails parallel to the extrusion axis. The guide rails are connected to form part of the loading shell, which part is equipped with bearings for a drive wheel, a deflection wheel and a tension wheel of a chain drive. The chain drive comprises a driving chain which is connected to the carriage and which has a width amounting to 3 to 9 times the pitch.