Covering device suitable for an apparatus for feeding bars to a machine tool, includes: a support frame, rotatably connectable, by first hinge elements, to a frame structure of the feeding apparatus, a cover element rotatably connected, by second hinge elements, to the support frame. The first hinge elements and the second hinge elements are arranged on respective longitudinal sides, opposite one another, of the support frame and are configured to enable the covering device to be opened, at will, both from one side and the other side of the feeding apparatus. On the cover element a slit opening is obtained that extends longitudinally, configured to enable bars to move from external auxiliary storage to a drum of the feeding apparatus.

An apparatus for feeding bars to a machine tool includes a rotary drum provided with a plurality of guide units distributed circumferentially and extending parallel to a longitudinal axis, each guide unit having two parts that are reciprocally movable and openable, by a respective lever to receive a respective bar to be advanced to the machine tool. An actuator element is provided and configured to act directly on a specific lever to open the corresponding guide unit. A support assembly is provided for receiving and supporting a plurality of bars in a position adjacent to the drum. A loading unit includes a lifting device that is movable from a lower position to an upper position to pick up one or more bars from the support assembly and lift the bars to the upper position. The loading unit further includes a selector unit for selecting a single bar at a time when the lifting device is in the upper position to transfer the bar to a respective guide unit.