Abstract: This apparatus relates to a materials handling apparatus that has a plurality of open-sided buckets arranged to travel along a first path having a first sense. The buckets are loadable when traveling along a first portion of the first path. An endless belt is arranged to travel along a second path having the same sense as the first path. The first and second paths coincide in a first zone so that the belt achieves closure of the buckets along a second portion of the first path. The materials handling apparatus may be operated over a wide range of conditions by the ability to preselect and change the vertical distance, and the angle of attack between a catenary string of open-sided buckets and the material to be unloaded. The method of handling material according to the present invention is readily adaptable to the unloading of railroad gondola cars, hopper barges, lighters, trucks, yard materials and the like.