Abstract: The actuating device, in particular for a pipe-laying machine, according to the present invention comprises a first winch (4) and a second winch (5) for respectively operating a movable gripping element along a side arm of said machine and the side arm itself. A main oil-hydraulic circuit (1a) is also provided for actuating a first hydraulic motor (6) and a second hydraulic motor (7) respectively associated with said first winch (4) and with said second winch (5), said first hydraulic motor (6) comprising a friction clutch (14) actuated by a secondary oil-hydraulic circuit (1b) for controlled free descent.