Object loading device

An object loading device includes an object conveyor for conveying objects to a hopper at one end of the object conveyor. A container conveyor conveys containers to a position underneath the hopper. Objects are discharged from the end of the object conveyor onto closed shutters in the hopper. A bottom plate elevator lifts the bottom plate of a container under the hopper to an upper position. The shutters slide open and the objects gently drop onto the elevated bottom plate of the container. The shutters are then closed and bottom plate elevator lowers the bottom plate to the bottom end of the container. The container conveyor then moves the container with the objects away from the position underneath the hopper. A further embodiment includes padded buffer rollers between which objects pass on their way to the container.