Abstract: What is disclosed is a hydraulic drive mechanism for a blanking or forming machine comprising a working cylinder having several pressure chambers, the piston of which acts directly or indirectly on a workpiece to be processed, wherein at least one pressure chamber of the working cylinder for retracting and extending the piston is adapted to be subjected to a tank pressure or a supply pressure via a continuously adjustable valve, and comprising a valve assembly arranged upstream of the continuously adjustable valve, whereby an inlet port of the continuously adjustable valve may be subjected to a higher or lower supply pressure, wherein the valve assembly comprises a switching valve adapted to be switched over between a basic position and a switching position in dependence on the load pressure at the working cylinder in order to tap the supply pressure from a low-pressure source or from a high-pressure source.