Abstract: A device for inserting a hot, heavy blank into a drop hammer die comprises a car mounted on rails for movement toward and away from the die and supporting a unit thereon adapted to be positioned in at least partially overlying relation to the die. The unit includes a pair of elongated rotatable shafts positioned in spaced parallel relation to one another with each shaft supporting a plurality of elongated rollers extending from that shaft partially across the space between the shafts. Positioning means are provided for selectively rotating the elongated shafts to vary the planar relationships of the rollers relative to one another, and further positioning means are provided for varying the orientation of the plane defined by the shafts between horizontal and inclined positions.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a hot blank relative to a forging tool in a drop hammer comprises a plurality of gripping jaws carried by a unit connected to a rotatable tongs arm, said jaws being pivotably mounted for selective movement through a limited arc toward and away from one another, and each of said jaws including a gripping claw adapted to be longitudinally displaced relative to its associated jaw. Movement of the tongs arm and associated movement of the gripping jaws and their respective gripping claws is employed to selectively position the several claws within cup-shaped recesses formed in the forging tool at positions underlying the flash of a hot blank in the tool. The unit further includes counter-holders which are positioned to overlie the forging tool in spaced relation to said flash whereby the simultaneous coaction between the gripping claws and blank and between the counter-holders and forging tool operate to break a forged blank loose from said tool.