Abstract: This invention relates generally to textile carding machines and the like, and more particularly to a drive apparatus for driving a feed roll on such a machine so that a constant drive speed is provided and so the drive speed may be conveniently altered by exchanging gears of different ratios, wherein the drive apparatus includes a bracket having at least one vertical side member and a transfer shaft adjustably carried within the vertical side member. A first gear, which is driven by a drive bevel gear carried on a main input shaft, is carried on the transfer shaft, and a draft change gear is removably carried on the transfer shaft for rotation with the first gear. The draft change gear is meshed with a feed roll change gear which is carried on the feed roll drive shaft for driving the feed roll.