A device (10), for moving a runner (12) of a shaft furnace between an upper tapping floor level (42), where the runner is in an operational position in front of a taphole of the furnace, and a lower service level (40), where the runner is accessible for replacement. The device (10) comprises a first support (28) and a second support (34) forming a base member (38), a carrier member (20) for bearing the runner, the carrier member having a first and a second longitudinal portion, a first lifting member (22) connected via a first articulation (26) to the first longitudinal portion and via a second articulation (30) to the first support, and a second lifting member (24) connected via a third articulation (32) to the second longitudinal portion and via a fourth articulation (36) to the second support. The base member (38), the carrier member (20) and the first and second lifting members (22, 24) together with the four articulations (26, 30, 32, 36) form a four-bar equivalent mechanism. According to the invention, the device further comprises a traction link (90) connected via a fifth articulation (92) to the first lifting member (22) and via a sixth articulation (94) to the second lifting member (24). The axes of rotation of the fifth and sixth articulations (92, 94) remain above the plane defined by the axes of rotation of the second and fourth articulations (30, 36) when the carrier member (20) is in a lower position reached by approaching, taking or traversing a change point configuration.