A machine for loading a nuclear reactor in which the fuel assemblies are partially renewed each time recharging takes place, by charging the positions of the assemblies in the core of the reactor, is assembled on a mobile bridge. This moves above the water bath of the reactor to lift and lower the fuel assemblies which also have groups of auxiliary elements such as control rods, plugs, boron eliminators, etc. It carries a turntable having a number of telescopic arms with equipment for handling a complete assembly with its auxiliaries or for handling the group of auxiliaries alone. The turntable can be stopped at as many angular points as there are telescopic arms. Each arm is positioned in a single active station, fixed relatively to the turntable, and only the arm in the active station can be manipulated. There are three handling arms spaced uniformly to the axis of the turntable, one arm being fitted for a complete assembly, a second for the cluster of control rods and the third for the cluster of stoppers or boron removers. Each arm has its own winch, and at the axis of the turret there is a telescopic support for a television camera. Each time the fuel is recharged and the spent fuel rods in the centre zone are replaced from rods from the two outer zones, it is not only necessary to carry out that series of permutations, but also to change the holders for the clusters of control rods of different kinds. Each lift for replacing an assembly involves two journeys across the bridge of the carriage and necessitates personnel at the various operating points. The loading machine described simplifies the operation and cuts down time and labour requirements considerably.
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