tandem cylinder is extended or the first cylinder of the series cylinders is extended thus the displacement paths of the two holding forks 18 are mechanically limited by means of the limit positions of the cylinders of the drive devices 24 synchronous translational movement of the two holding forks 18 is achieved by means of a hydraulic or mechanical synchronization of the two drive devices 24 each holding fork 18 has a tube holder 25 for a drill tube 7 which is situated in the magazine or holding fork opening 19 at the most forward position or removal position the tube holder 25 comprises one or for example two opposite pressure pistons 26 which can be actuated hydraulically can move toward one another in a closed position clamp the drill tube 7 between them and in an open position are able to release this tube again the receiving device 17 or the two holding forks 18 may have a preloading device not shown which presses the other drill tubes 7 stored in the magazine toward the drill tube 7 which is being held in the tube holders 25 the sequence of operations involved in manipulation of the individual drilling tools 7 or rod stands when the drill string 4 is being used to carry out the drilling operation and during the subsequent pulling of the drill string and therefore during the associated insertion and removal of the.