A load transfer block for a prestressed rolling mill includes a hydraulic cylinder having a pressure relief valve biassed to the closed position by gas pressure which is correlated with the determined max working load on the cylinder. Pref. the pressure of the hydraulic supply is adjusted to that necessary to relieve the prestress to the extent necessary to roll work to the desired thickness, and the gas pressure and volume are arranged to maintain that pressure but to provide shock absorption in the event of instantaneously loading resulting from the breakage of, or passage of the trailing end of a workpiece. The full impact of the full pre-stressing force of the mill is relieved.
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