This invention relates to a self-propelled machine for automatically oiling and buffing the lanes in a bowling alley and, more specifically, to a piece of apparatus of the type aforementioned that includes a novel brake and cam-operated function control mechanism. The brake is characterized by a wedge-shaped shoe spring-biased upon deactuation of a solenoid holding same disengaged into an annular, inwardly-tapered, groove encircling a drum rotatable with the driveshaft