Abstract: An apparatus for separating a starter bar from a hot strand crop-end in a continuous casting plant (which plant includes a lifting mechanism for lifting the starter bar and its tong-shaped starter bar head, a stationary vertical guide, and an opening mechanism for the two lockable nippers of the tong-shaped starter bar head) has a centering means in the stationary vertical guide to hold the starter bar in separating position, at least one bayonet closing means locking the nippers of the tong-shaped starter bar head, a displaceable pin acting on the at least one bayonet closing means in the opening direction thereof, and a conveying means located below the centering means and the displaceable pin for transporting the hot strand crop-end away.

Abstract: An arrangement for introducing a flexible starter bar, having a starter bar head, into a continuous casting plant with a mould and a strand guide located below the mould, has a lifting device for gripping and lifting the starter bar, and a displacement device designed as a car, arranged above the casting platform. The starter bar is introduced into the mould or into the strand guide by the displacement device, and a stationary conveying path, on which the starter bar is guided by the displacement device, has an arcuate front end part and an arcuate rear end part. The arcuate front end part is pivotable into and out of an introduction position.

Abstract: A roller stand to be used in continuous casting plants comprises two strand guide parts arranged opposite each other so as to guide the strand between them, which strand guide parts are held together by drawing anchors. The roller carrying means of one of the strand guide parts are movable relative to the strand by piston driving means. Overload protection means are provided within the area of the piston driving means and spacers maintain the distance between the opposing rollers.