Abstract: An automated system is disclosed for continuously feeding a supply a logs to the log holding magazines of one or more wood grinders on demand. A conveyor system conveys logs to a log holder which receives and forms a series of logs into a shaped charge. The shaped charge is discharged from the log holder to a loading station without change in the shape thereof. Overhead hoist-grapple carriers traveling on a monorail between the loading station and one or more wood grinding machines transfer the shaped charge from the loading station to an unloading station. Each carrier includes a grapple connected to the hoist whose arms, when closed, have an internal configuration conforming to the outer dimensions of the shaped charge. At the loading station, the grapple is lowered to pick up the shaped charge. After pickup of the load, the hoist raises the load and the carrier moves to a "ready" station.