Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing from an electrolytic cell cathodes having an electrolytic deposit thereon and replacing them with cathodes from which said electrolytic deposit has been removed, comprising: (a) simultaneously lifting a first subgroup comprising the even-numbered cathodes from a first cell and a second subgroup comprising the odd-numbered cathodes from a second, adjacent cell while maintaining the orientation and disposition of said cathodes; (b) conveying said subgroups to a stripping installation while moving said subgroups perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said cells until a collinear unstripped set of cathodes is formed; (c) placing said collinear unstripped set of cathodes at the entry to said stripping installation; (d) lifting a collinear stripped set of cathodes from the exit of said stripping installation, said collinear stripped set having sequentially numbered stripped cathodes equal in number, orientation and disposition to said collinear unstripped set; (e) conveying s