Abstract: Between an upstream transporter A which moves discontinuously and intermittently and a downstream transporter B which moves continuously, an elevator C is serially disposed which lifts the last pipe T6 from an even group T1 through T6 astride both transporters, then rests it ahead of the following even group T7 through T10 during a halt of transporter A. On the downstream transporter B, two odd groups T1 through T5 and T6 through T10 and thus obtained. The pipes each have an enlarged female bell or mouth M at one end, and are alternatingly arranged in horizontal groups or beds L of five. Each bed is reversed relative to its adjacent beds in a banded vertical pile. The pipes are supplied to the transporter A two at a time.

Abstract: Head-to-tail turning of one pipe out of two in a series of pipes being presented at irregular intervals which may occur at even or odd multiples of a step. A horizontal transporter moves by intervals of two steps and a turning device for one pipe out of two moves by one step as necessary to place itself in a position for turning beneath the pipe to be turned. Pipes are arranged head-to-tail, horizontally and vertically, one joint alternating with one smooth end at each end of the pipes in the production of pipe bundles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bundling beds of pipes using an intermediate cradle, a single removal sled, and a shovel prior to banding. Following delivery of pipe beds to the apparatus by a horizontal conveyor, a shovel repeatedly piles beds of pipes into an intermediate cradle, which subsequently passes the bundles to a removal sled for banding. An intermediate cradle passes obliquely above and below a removal sled to transfer the pipe bundles.