FIELD: rolled stock production, namely equalizing areas of leading and rear ends of hot rolled billet in continuous rolling mill. SUBSTANCE: apparatus includes first and second stands with individual drives mounted successively along passage line in front of stand group. Controller controls rolling speed relation between first and second stands with individual drives for providing increased tension level in segments of leading and rear ends of billet passing between first and second stands with individual drives. Increased tension level provides decreased area of billet cross section that is sufficient for compensating absence of lowering cross section area when there is no tension between stands in said segments of leading and rear ends of billets at rolling it in stand group of rolling mill. In order to control roll grooved pass of first end of rolled piece at continuous hot rolling, controller forms order for decreasing revolution number of rolls in first stand when leading end of billet approaches second stand with individual drive arranged directly near first stand with individual drive behind it. If revolution number of rolls of first stand becomes lower than nominal one, increased tension level in rolled piece between first and second stands is provided at biting leading end of billet in second stand. After leading end of rolled piece is passed through first stand, controller forms order for resuming revolution number of rolls in first stand to nominal one for rolling segment of rolled piece between its leading and rear ends. In order to control roll grooved pass of rear end of rolled piece, controller forms order for decreasing revolution number of rolls in first stand when rear end of billet approaches second stand. EFFECT: enhanced quality of rolled pieces. 16 cl, 1 dwg
