An apparatus for equipping a basket welding machine, the apparatus having an insertion device. The apparatus is characterized in that the insertion device has a plurality of receiving positions for all the longitudinal wires of a basket to be produced using the basket welding machine, the insertion device having a receiving element for receiving the longitudinal wires of a basket, the receiving positions being spaced apart in the radial direction from an axis of rotation of the insertion device, wherein the insertion device is designed to feed at least two longitudinal wires arranged on the insertion device to the basket welding machine simultaneously in one insertion operation, the insertion operation of the longitudinal wires into the basket welding machine being effected by a movement of the insertion device in the axial direction of the axis of rotation of the insertion device. The invention further relates to a basket welding machine.