Abstract: A yo-yo variety reciprocating drive for long stroke, well pumping units, which employ a flexible element as the operative link between the winding drum and the polish rod of the well pump. Reversal from an upstroke to a downstroke is cushioned by mechanism which provides a power source off dwell period of predetermined duration during the aforesaid stroke exchange and is adjustable to control the length of stroke of the pumping unit. A velocity control senses the velocity of the polish rod during such dwell period and re-energizes the power source when a predetermined velocity is achieved following reversal of direction.