This hydraulic system for controlling and driving a movable member in a machine tool, for example the movable apron performing sheet-metal bending or shearing operations, comprises a single distributor incorporating a slide valve responsive either to a push member manually actuated by the operator of the machine or to another push member responsive in turn to a mechanical device actuated by one or a plurality of separate control members associated with said movable member or the like for automatically changing the speed of said movable member and stopping same at the end of its stroke.