A feeding device is provided for a belt drying installation for dump or sewage sludge material dewatered down to a pasty consistency. In the conveying path of the sludge material, a first roller having transverse grooves that are set back relative to the outer diameter of the roller and a guide device are arranged relative to the outer diameter of the first roller such that when the roller is rotated the sludge material is drawn into the transverse grooves and is shaped to elongated extrudates. The first roller is associated with a comb which has teeth that rigidly engage the transverse grooves and which sweeps the extrudates from the transverse grooves, wherein the tips of the teeth which rigidly engage the transverse grooves define a line of engagement. The tooth tips which rigidly engage the transverse grooves are beveled towards the tooth neck.