Apparatus for changing the needle boards of a needling machine

There is described an apparatus for changing the needle boards (3) of a needling machine, comprising a mounting guide (4) for the needle boards (3) to be coupled to each other in a tension-proof way on both sides of the needle bars disposed one behind the other in direction of the working width of the needling machine, to which needle bars the needle boards (3) are replaceably fixed, comprising a feeding guide (2) for the needle boards (3) in extension of the mounting guide (4) on one side of the needling machine, and comprising a step conveyor (5) associated to the feeding guide (2), which step conveyor has engageable and disengageable carriers for the needle boards (3). To create advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the carriers of the step conveyor (5) constitute centering pins (9) which engage in centering bushes (10) of the needle boards (3).