Abstract: A manipulating apparatus closes a standard barrel by picking up a lid, positioning it in the correct position above the barrel, pressing the lid onto the barrel, picking up a clamping ring, placing it in its spread-open state around the barrel top, and locking the clamping ring so as to retain the lid. The manipulating apparatus can also be used to open a closed barrel by moving a pivot member beneath the clamping lever of the clamping ring, rotating the pivot member to unlock the clamping ring, gripping the clamping ring, removing it while it is spread open, depositing the clamping ring at some convenient location, gripping the lid, removing the lid from the barrel, and depositing the lid. The manipulating apparatus is provided with three support arms (3-5) which form a support unit (1) which is movable horizontally and vertically by a guide unit (28) together with a central carrier (2) which projects beyond the support arms.