Winding device with automatic tube change operation

A winding device for endless threads or the like for automatically exchanging a fully wound bobbin tube against an empty tube, comprising a pivotable arm, at least two bobbin chucks for taking-up the tubes arranged upon said pivotable arm, an accelerating ring and a friction drive drum, the circumferential speed of the accelerating ring exceeding that of the friction drive drum, means for mounting the accelerating ring relative to the friction drive drum wherein the accelerating ring and the friction drive drum are arranged axially alongside one another such that the circumference of the accelerating ring radially extends partly beyond a portion of the circumference of the friction drive drum in the direction of the empty tube so as to be engaged thereby, and during the movement of the empty tube from a first position of pivotable arm movement wherein the empty tube contacts the circumference of the accelerating ring to a second position of the pivotable arm movement wherein the empty tube contacts the circumference of the friction drive drum, the continued pivoting of the pivotable arm from said first position to said second position disengages the empty tube from the accelerating ring and engages the empty tube with the friction drive drum.