Abstract: A hydraulic distributor for safely and efficiently top charging a bell-less blast furnace. The hydraulic distributor includes a main housing, an inner ring, a trunnion, and an actuator ring, which act together to lift and rotate the distributor chute. Hydraulic tilt cylinders operatively coupled to the inner ring act to lift the distributor chute to change tilt. Rotational Drives operatively coupled to the trunnion act to rotate the distributor chute. The hydraulic distributor provides improved repeatability and precision control of the distributor chute, and hence the placement of burden materials within the blast furnace resulting in improved productivity and operation of the furnace. The hydraulic distributor provides a less complex design and construction resulting in reduced costs for manufacturing and maintenance.