A hydraulically operable transmission comprises a hydraulic clutch, a change speed control valve, change speed actuators controllable by the control valve, a pilot oil line for varying pressure states in response to operation of the actuators, an oil supply line extending to the hydraulic clutch, a clutch control valve operable with a pilot pressure applied from the pilot oil line to close the oil supply line, and a pressure buildup device mounted on the oil supply line. The pressure buildup device includes an oil chamber for producing predetermined pressure increase characteristics with a pilot pressure applied from the oil supply line and a spring load, a drain line extending from the oil chamber, and a drain control valve mounted on the drain line for opening and closing the drain line in response to the pilot pressure applied from the pilot oil line.