eccentric element 59 is rotatably mounted on a pivot axle 60 the pivot axle 60 is rigidly connected to the top roller carrier 40 by rotating the eccentric element 59 the force can be adjusted with which the compression spring 56 loads the pressure plate 54 and therefore via the holding device 41 the apron roller 42 and the output roller 43 the pressure plate 54 is configured such that the holding device 40 is loaded with a substantially constant force even if the height position of the top roller carrier 40 is adjusted within a specific range this range may be about 6 mm a compression spring 61 loads the vane 65 with a specific force directed downwardly the vane 65 is used to deflect the top apron 62 of the apron roller 42 and the other top apron and the associated other apron roller neither of which are shown in fig5 and which in each case form a pair with the top apron 62 and the apron roller 42 an apron tensioner 63 as shown in fig1 2 or 4 is used to tension the top apron 62 and the top apron arranged in a mirror inverted manner with respect thereto the apron tensioner 63 can be moved up and down in the slot 64 and is pressed upwardly by a spring element not shown the operating position of the top roller carrier 40 shown in fig5 is secured by means of the lever 67 the holding devices configured in each case for the processing of short staple medium staple.