Abstract: An automatic loader for depositing parts in work holders mounted on a movable support for movement continuously and in succession relative to a station at which operations are to be performed on the parts while held by said work holders, comprising instrumentalities for receiving parts to be operated upon, move them in synchronism with the respective work holders and while so moving them deposit them in the work holders. Following deposit of each part the instrumentalities are returned to their initial positions for receiving a succeeding part. The loader is controlled by programming to operate cyclically once its operation at any stage of operation in a cycle of operation in the event that a part is not present, and there are safety releases operable under pressure or jamming of any parts during the operation to stop the loader.