This is a Factorio function, not a mod function. There is no "hand" for loaders, and there is no pulse function either. The transfers is specific to loaders within the game and similar to the pulse function is inserters as you've pointed out. The items on the belt are exactly that, part of the transport line. If you attach a wire to the belt on the next tile after the loader, read the full belt contents, it will include the items on the loaders belt.
However, this does prompt the idea of asking Wube to add the "read belt contents" interface to be added to the loader.