Abstract: The present invention provides a tufting machine having a needle bar movable between at least two transverse locations in response to a control signal, a motor, a yarn supply, a backing cloth feed, a stitch drive, looper drive, yarn feed roller and all timed for moving the respective components at times in the stitch cycle when the needles are clear of the backing; the tufting machine operating to produce a series of stitches through the backing material by moving the needle bar to cause the needles to pierce the backing cloth and interact with the looper mechanism to produce a tufted fabric; and having a needle bar shifter comprising:a frame having a first end and a second end;a first belt attachment at the first end and a second belt attachment at the second end;a roller mounted between the first and second belt attachments;a belt attached to the first belt attachment looped around the roller and attached to the second belt attachment,a roller drive supplying rotational energy to the roller;whereby activati