Abstract: A transverse cutter for fine papers consists of two mutually co-operating cutter rolls, of which one is directly driven by two electric motors. The upper cutter spindle is driven with the lower cutter spindle by a gear wheel driver at each end, which drive has an inclined set of teeth with constant pitch circle diameter and can be adjusted by axial displacement to be free from backlash. By means of a hydraulic clamping bushing provided between gear wheel and cutter spindle, a radial prestress between the gear wheels is obtained, which makes possible a backlash-free setting around the entire circumference.