Abstract: A system for automatically loading and unloading bottles, vials, or other containers into and out of a freeze dryer or other material treating apparatus includes a loading station and a conveyer for bringing bottles to the loading station. A transfer vehicle movable between the loading station and one or more freeze dryers includes a horizontally arranged platen for supporting an entire dryer shelf of bottles. When the vehicle is aligned with the loading station, a pusher bar slides bottles from the loading station onto the vehicle platen. The vehicle then moves to a dryer where the platen aligns itself with one of the dryer shelves. A guide bar at the rear end of a rectangularly shaped lasso or transfer cage moves forwardly pushing the bottles onto the shelf. The forward end of the cage is then raised above the height of the bottles and removed from the dryer. To unload a dryer shelf, the cage enters the dryer above the bottles and the forward end drops down behind them.