The conveyor drive includes a cylinder with reciprocating piston and piston rod. The reciprocating piston rod is positioned above the conveyor and is inclined downwards to engage a conveying rod fitted with carriers. The oscillating drive is located in the conveyor trough and has its piston rod directly attached to the guided conveying rod. The vertical component of the driving force of the drive is taken up by the conveying trough. The oscillating cylinder is supported by an elastic support to prevent deflection.