Abstract: The present invention provides an industrial extractor (10) comprising a chassis (12) to which a cylindrical drum (14) is rotatably mounted. A pair of sliding doors (24, 26) are incorporated into the drum's (14) cylindrical structure thereby providing access to the drum (14) through its periphery. To load the extractor (10) with laundry, the sliding doors (24, 26) am actuated to provide an opening at the top of the drum (14). The doors (24, 26) are actuated via in interconnected series of levers (36, 38), plates (28, 30) and linkages (48, 50). The laundry is then dropped from a conveyor or chute into the drum (14) without having to tilt or pivot the drum (14). Once loaded, the doors (24, 26) are automatically closed and a locking assembly (60) engages the door (24, 26) to prevent them from inadvertently opening.