Apparatus and method for handling bars

Apparatus for handling oblong metal bars (31), comprising a loading unit (22) provided with transporter elements (25) defining a support plane (64) for said bars (31) and configured to transfer the latter in a first direction (D1) transverse to the longitudinal development of said bars (31) and toward a selector unit (34), wherein said selector unit (34) comprises gripping means (35) configured to take at least one portion of one or more bars (31) and to lift it with respect to said support plane (64), wherein said gripping means (35) are fixed and located above said support plane (64), wherein at least one detachment device (30) is provided between said loading unit (22) and said selector unit (34) and comprises a plurality of mobile arms (33′) and motion transmission elements (69) provided to move said arms (33′) in a second direction (D2), transverse to said first direction (D1), to detach from said loading unit (22) one or more bars (31) lifted by said gripping means (35) and to release them toward a subsequent collection station (43) said arms (33′) being positioned, at least in their operating condition for extracting the bars (31), above said support plane (64), wherein said arms (33′) have a hooked shape, with a first end portion (71) attached to the motion transmission element (69) and a second end portion (72) free and which, during use contacts the bars (31) to guide their extraction, at least said second end portion (72) overlapping said support plane (64), and said arms (33′) being inclined toward the collection station (43), and wherein also comprising said apparatus comprises sensors (41) configured to automatically detect at least the number of bars (31) removed and released by said gripping means (35) toward said collection station (43).