Inserter and method for inserting postal items into envelopes

An inserter comprising:

• an envelope transport path for transporting envelopes one by one from an envelope start position to an inserting position;
• a postal item transport path for transporting postal items one by one from a postal item start position to the inserting position until at least one of the transported postal item is inserted in the envelope;
• an exit for transporting the envelope with the at least one inserted postal item therein from the inserting position;
• a motor;
• at least one drive line between the motor and at least one of the paths for driving transport along that at least one of the paths;
• at least one coupling included in the at least one drive line;
• a coupling control mechanism connected for engaging a control member of the coupling;
• and
• an at least two-way selector transmission for driving the at least one drive line if the selector transmission is in a first operating condition and for driving the coupling control mechanism for operating the at least one coupling if the selector transmission is in a second operating condition.