an automatic press line is disclosed which has a series of presses with a conveyor for transporting a succession of workpieces from one press to the next , and loading / unloading devices mounted one to each end of each press for loading and unloading the workpieces into and from the press line and for the transfer of the workpieces from press to press via the conveyor . each loading / unloading device has a carriage to be controllably moved up and down on a support frame . the carriage carries a parallelogram linkage comprising a top link mounted to the carriage for up and down motion relative to the same , a pair of side links extending in a vertical plane , and a bottom link to which there is affixed a work carrier having suction cups . extending between the carriage and one of the side links , a drive lever is swung back and forth to cause the parallelogram linkage to reciprocate the work carrier in a horizontal direction . the horizontal motion of the bottom link of the parallelogram linkage combines with the up and down motion of the carriage to enable the work carrier to move the successive workpieces into or out of the press . the support frame may be moved transversely of the press line for a change of press dies .