Abstract: A system for a freight vehicle having a cargo space convertible for handling bulk cargo as well as piece goods, for deploying bulk cargo containers, includes a cable winding shaft positioned adjacent one end wall of the vehicle, with a cable winding reel mounted on each end of the shaft. The shaft is turned either by an electric motor or a hydraulic or pneumatic motor using the hydraulic or pneumatic system of the tractor that pulls the freight vehicle. Cables are run from the retainer rings of the bulk cargo bags upward against the side walls of the vehicle and then along the roof of the vehicle to the winding reels. According to another embodiment, the lifting mechanism for the bags is a hydraulic or pneumatic ram assembly which uses the hydraulics or pneumatics of the tractor for operation. The ram assembly is mounted externally under the floor of the freight vehicle and the cables are run through openings in the vehicle to the ram assembly.