The invention relates to a shiftable hydrostatic compact drive unit, in particular for drive and winch systems, said compact drive unit comprising at least one planetary stage (2) where a first shiftable multiple-plate clutch connects a ring gear (11) to a case (1) in a rotationally fixed manner and where a second shiftable multiple-plate clutch (4) connects the sun wheel of the planetary stage (2) to the ring gear (11) in a rotationally fixed manner. The sun wheel (8) of the planetary stage (2) is driven by a hydraulic motor (7) and a planetary rod (18) of the planetary stage (2) serves as output element. The invention is characterized in that a plate carrier (12) houses the inner plates of the first multiple-plate clutch (3), the outer plates of the second multiple-plate clutch (4) and a spring accumulator (20) for closing the second multiple-plate clutch. The axial force exerted by the spring accumulator (20) is supported, on one side, on said plate carrier (12), when the second multiple-plate clutch is closed, and is supported, on the other side, on an intermediate ring (15) in an axially mobile manner. The set of plates (16) is supported on the plate carrier (12) so as to prevent friction and associated heat build-up at the contact point (21) in the intermediate ring (15).