Abstract: A printing press material roll lift and drive assembly (40) has a base (16) and a lift support frame (18). The lift support frame provides support for opposed front and rear vertical rails (50). A U-shaped carriage (54) is mounted for elevation on the rails and includes side support plates (56) having rail rollers (57) and an upper plate (58). The carriage is raised and lowered by a releasing ram (80) attached to the support frame at its upper end (82) and to the carriage at its lower end (86), said support plates including bearings receiving a carriage shaft (64). The shaft includes a cantilevered outer end (68) receiving the paper roll core (69) and an inner end (72). The inner end is driven by a magnetic particle clutch (102) mounted to the base and having a drive shaft (106) by means of an endless belt (112) extending between a drive shaft pulley (110) and a carriage shaft pulley (74 ). The endless belt includes a belt tensioner (114).