Abstract: A dowel bar loader comprising an inlet for receiving dowel bars, an outlet for delivering dowel bars, and a serpentine path connecting the inlet to the outlet. The path includes at least three changes in direction between the inlet and the outlet. In preferred embodiments, the path can include seven changes in direction or more. In one embodiment, the changes in direction comprises an angle change of at least about twenty-five degrees. The dowel bar loader further includes a control mechanism positioned to control movement of dowel bars in the path, and a spacer mechanism for spacing the dowel bars from each other in preparation for delivery to the dowel bar inserter. Preferably, the control mechanism is upstream of the spacer mechanism and spaced from the outlet. In one embodiment, the control mechanism comprises a control wheel that rotates completely around during normal operation.