Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatic operation of an accumulator conveyor in conjunction with a main conveyor which transports odd shaped articles between two operational stations of an automated system. The method comprises the passing of articles into the entry end of the accumulator conveyor at a first speed when downstream equipment malfunctions causing articles to back-up along the main conveyor. When the back-up is dissipated, the articles stored in the accumulator conveyor are passed from the exit end of the accumulator conveyor on a first-in, first-out basis to the main conveyor at a second, faster speed while additional articles from the upstream equipment continue to enter the accumulator conveyor, also at the second speed. When all of the previously stored articles have passed back to the main conveyor, the main conveyor is operated normally with no articles passing into or out of the accumulator conveyor.