Abstract: A cloth beam changer includes a conveyor having gripping arms which carry gripping elements at the ends. A transmission is provided in the form of a slide with a spindle and nut arrangement for raising and lowering the slide. A guide rail and stop are provided in the winding-on station of the loom to position the gripping elements accurately while at the same time preventing further downward movement of the gripper arms and slide. A spring between the slider and spindle nut compressers should the transmission overshoot the position of the gripper elements. A second spring is also provided between two parts of the gripper arm to permit deflection of the lower part upon engagement and sliding on the guide rail of the loom. Sensors are provided to measure the amount of deflection of the respective springs.