Abstract: A reel drive mechanism for use with a reel handling apparatus having a pair of lift arms carried by a vehicle for portable transportation. The reel driving mechanism includes a base frame upon which is mounted an upright roller drive assembly pivotal about an axis transverse to the vehicle. An upper drive roller and a lower drive roller are supported by the upright roller assembly and are rotatable about axes parallel to said transverse axis with the upper roller arranged forwardly of the lower roller. The reel handling apparatus may drivably engage the peripheral surface of a single larger reel or a pair of smaller reels upon the rollers. The upright roller assembly pivots to maintain frictional engagement of both rollers with the reel supported by the reel handling apparatus.