A device is proposed for cooling the distribution chute of an installation for charging a shaft furnace. This installation comprises a feed channel, a rotary collar and a rotary cage, a fixed outer housing, a distribution chute mounted in a pivoting manner in the rotary cage, a driving means so as to cause the collar and the cage to turn, as one about the vertical axis of the channel and two drive casings acting on suspension shafts of the chute so as to pivot about a horizontal axis. An annular tank for feeding with cooling fluid is secured to the upper edge of the rotary collar. The distribution chute comprises a circuit for cooling the lower surface of its body and is connected directly, through channels passing axially through the suspension shafts of the chute and rotary connectors to the annular tank.