Abstract: A hydraulic drive circuit for machine tools, such as power shears, press brakes, and the like having hydraulic cylinder reciprocated members, controls fluid flow to and from the hydraulic cylinders to automatically move and hold the member in an idle position, to apply power in the desired direction upon demand, and to bypass fluid for unloading the pump until power is demanded. In power shears and press brakes, the vertically movable ram is automatically raised and held in an out-of-the-way position whenever the manually actuated control is released even after stoppage of the pump.