An automatic apparatus for loading and feeding crucibles to and removing crucibles from a combustion furnace in which metals are burned for analyzing them. The apparatus has a part for automatically transporting crucibles to a sample weighing position one by one, a sample weighing device at the sample weighing position, and a supply device for placing the desired quantity of metal to be analyzed into crucibles at the sample weighing position. A storage device for automatically storing crucibles containing samples therein extends from the sample weighing position, and a device takes crucibles out of the storage device one by one and a further device automatically takes the crucibles from said taking out device and introduces them into a combustion furnace and removes the crucibles from the combustion furnace. A device then automatically dumps the crucibles removed from the combustion furnace after the completion of analysis. The storage device has a carrying trough for holding a line of crucibles, a stop at the downstream end of the carrying trough and movable into and out of engagement with the crucible at the downstream end of the carrying trough, and a pusher for pushing crucibles from the sample weighing position along the carrying trough and having a device for discontinuing the pushing action of said pusher when a crucible being pushed engages the stop or a crucible preceeding a crucible stopped by the stop.