A roll stand has a frame, an upper backup roll and a lower backup roll rotatable in the frame about respective vertically spaced axes, and an upper working roll and a lower working roll flanked by and operatively engaging the respective backup rolls. A workpiece normally passes horizontally through the nip formed by the working rolls. Actuators can urge the backup rolls toward each other with a high force and with a low force. Respective upper and lower drives are connected to the respective backup rolls and energizable for rotating same and thereby pulling the workpiece engaged between the working rolls through the roll stand. A clutch is connected between one of the drives and the respective backup roll and is openable to rotationally disconnect the one drive from its backup roll. A controller is connected to the one drive and the clutch for deenergizing the one drive and opening the clutch for low-force rolling. For high-force rolling the clutch is closed and both drives are energized.