A carton loading machine for use in loading items into a carton of the type which has two load storage compartments which are separated from one another by a divider wall and which has an end wall located opposite the divider wall. The carton loading machine has first and second loading stations arranged in a side-by-side relationship in which a carton is located with its divider wall separating the station. The loading machine has first and second gates mounted above the loading station for movement between a first position in which they are remote from loading station and a second position in which they extend into the first and second loading station respectively, one on either side of a divider wall of a carton to support the divider wall and guide load items into the load storage compartments.