Apparatus for actuating and controlling the rotation, about their longitudinal axis (Y-Y), of blades (20) of cooling fans (10) for operating machines and / or vehicles, in particular agricultural tractors and off-road vehicles, said fan being mounted on a hub (11) which can be rotationally driven about its axis (X-X) by associated driving means (3,3a) suitable for connection to the heat engine (1) and mounted on a fixed support (5) by means of a bearing (3b) the apparatus comprising a ring (71) provided with a radial seat (71a) inside which a radial pin (72), eccentrically engaged in a base (73) integral with the shank (20a) of the blade (20), is inserted; an electric motor (30) which is coaxial with the axis (X-X) of the hub (11) and the shaft (31) of which is coaxially connected to a reduction gear (40), the kinematic output element (143) of which is coaxially connected by means of a screw (51a) / female thread (76a) coupling to a slider (76) displaceable in both directions along the axis (X-X) and kinematically connected to the ring (71) with an eccentric pin (72) driving the base (73) of the shank of the blade, an electromagnetic clutch (80; 180; 280) being arranged between the pulley (3) and the hub (11) of the fan.