Abstract: A mat loading and press-tray unloading apparatus for a multi-level press having a plurality of plates for the manufacture of boards includes a raisable and lowerable structure. A set of loading and unloading levels are connected to the raisable and lowerable structure, each set corresponding in number to the number of press levels. The loading and unloading levels are arranged such that at one end of the structure at least two loading levels are directly adjacent to each other, at the other end of the structure at least two unloading levels are directly adjacent to each other, and at an intermediate portion of the structure at least one unloading level is disposed between two loading levels. The apparatus also includes means for raising and lowering the structure, and means for feeding the levels.