The invention relates to a device for actuating a sliding closure (3) applied to a vessel (1) containing a molten metal, once the vessel (1) has been positioned on a ladle rotating tower. A piston/cylinder unit (10) that can be introduced into a holding element (4) of the sliding closure (3) comprises a drive shaft (11) that can be coupled to a slide rod of the sliding closure. Said piston/cylinder unit (10) can be introduced into the holding element (4) and withdrawn from the same by means of a controllable manipulator (20) arranged on the ladle rotating tower. In this way, the piston/cylinder unit can be applied to the sliding closure effortlessly and precisely in few steps.
