A transfer apparatus includes a stationary base, a swivel supported by the
stationary base to be rotatable about a vertical axis, a guide member
mounted on the swivel, a linear movement mechanism supported by the
swivel or the guide member, a hand supported by the linear movement
mechanism and moved by the linear movement mechanism for carrying a work
along a straight and horizontal travel stroke, a drive source disposed
inside the stationary base, and a transmission shaft disposed along the
vertical axis to transmit drive power from the drive source to the linear
movement mechanism. The swivel includes an upper section and a lower
section detachably connected with each other. The upper section has a
connecting member supported by the upper section to be rotatable about
the vertical axis. The connecting member has a detachable engagement
member for engagement with the transmission shaft from the above.