Abstract: A device for stacking and unstacking loads has a base made up of an upright housing and a pair of spaced, parallel outriggers extending from the housing. Vertical guide rods are mounted on the exterior of the housing, and a platform assembly is movable up-and-down on the guide rods. In its lowermost position, the platform assembly sits on the ground between the outriggers. The platform assembly comprises a carrier, a platform on the carrier having a circular opening, a turntable mounted on the carrier within the opening, and a braking system for the turntable. The platform is movable up-and-down with respect to the turntable. When the platform assembly is in a raised position, the platform is located below the turntable and the braking system is disengaged. The platform rises to the level of the turntable, and the braking system engages, in response to arrival of the platform assembly at ground level.