Abstract: The system is designed for controlling the length of the smooth thrust that takes place during engagement and/or braking of the hydraulic brake-clutches for driving presses or similar machines, and in order that the smooth braking system may be overridden at a given point in time for the machine to be quickly stopped. Two safety valves (16) and (17), an emergency valve (18) and two opening and closing valves (20) and (21) are used for this purpose. A pressurestat (34) located at the end of a labyrinthine duct (35) controls the positioning of the safety valves (16) and (17) and of the emergency valve (18), the labyrinthine duct (35) lying between the pressurestat (34) and the inlet (14) of the relevant hydraulic fluid. The opening and closing valves (20) and (21) control the passage of the hydraulic fluid (oil) between the inlet and the outlet (22) area of the clutch-brake and between this area and the outlet (19).