Abstract: A hose clamp machine includes a frame carrying a reciprocating air motor, the piston shaft of which is coupled to one end of a lever which is pivoted approximately midway between the ends thereof on the frame, the other end of the lever being coupled by linkage to a band puller housing for slidably reciprocating it along a slide rod. A hose with a hose clamp band looped thereabout is mounted beneath the distal end of the slide rod with the free end of the band fed through a ratchet-type holding dog to a pulling dog in the puller housing. Pivotal movement of the lever during a driving stroke of the motor pulls the puller housing to tension the band, after which a punch head is driven into the band collar to lock the clamp in the tensioned condition about the hose. Cushioning means is provided on the piston shaft to cushion the driving stroke when the band is severed while under tension.