Harbor Freight 20 ton press is changing - Major Changes - Info inside

[Kenuto]

Yes I have been thinking this over myself, it appears more functional. I have some plans that I should post here somewhere, it includes an engineered reservoir, also the seals/ O-rings, that run on the shaft must be changed.

 

[sz0k30]

Hope the pictures work. A few weeks ago I bought a HF 20 ton press, I got the new #60603 gray one. After reading some of the reviews I also bought the air/hydraulic jack. Comparing both presses, I think the new one is definitely better, but that still leaves room for improvement.

Recently most of the snow has melted, so I was able to drag all the stuff down to the pole barn for assembly. It went together quite easily, looks good and feels solid. The arbor plates are steel not cast iron. The only issue is jack plate doesn't match the jack base - so no way of attaching.

Outside of the air/hydraulic jack I also added: grade 8 top bolts, 5" casters and a couple of 3/8" j-nuts to the upper beam to hold the jack handle in an easily accessible place.

 

[v7guy]

I've been using the same press (the grey one) for a few months with no problems, Ive also used the swag offroad brake without issue.
I've used the supplied arbor plates in addition to the swag offroad plates without disaster. The supplied plates still make me nervous

 

[mr overdunne]

Good Info in this thread. Very thorough.

 

[TipsyMcStagger]

...I also added: grade 8 top bolts, 5" casters and...

Wondering if those of you who have this press on casters experience any stability issues? The only wall space I have available to place this press would be under my cabinets. My cabinets are 60 1/2" off the floor. HF specs indicate the press is 61 1/8" tall

If I mount it on casters I could move it around, making it a bit easier to get out of the way.

Thoughts? Usage will be infrequent automotive use.

Tipsy

 

[JBradley500]

i put casters on mine. i also put the handle on broom-clips and put a knurled knob on the bottle jack.

the only problem i have is forgetting to take the plates off when i move it around. nearly crushed my toes the first time.

 

[TipsyMcStagger]

i put casters on mine. i also put the handle on broom-clips and put a knurled knob on the bottle jack.

the only problem i have is forgetting to take the plates off when i move it around. nearly crushed my toes the first time.

Good feedback. Thanks.

Tipsy

 

[gungatim]

Hope the pictures work. A few weeks ago I bought a HF 20 ton press, I got the new #60603 gray one. After reading some of the reviews I also bought the air/hydraulic jack. Comparing both presses, I think the new one is definitely better, but that still leaves room for improvement.

Recently most of the snow has melted, so I was able to drag all the stuff down to the pole barn for assembly. It went together quite easily, looks good and feels solid. The arbor plates are steel not cast iron. The only issue is jack plate doesn't match the jack base - so no way of attaching.

Outside of the air/hydraulic jack I also added: grade 8 top bolts, 5" casters and a couple of 3/8" j-nuts to the upper beam to hold the jack handle in an easily accessible place.

nice monte! had a silver/black '74 myself in highschool.

 

[Boost Creep]

for everyone that says the mounting plate for the jack is drilled wrong, try rotating the jack 180*. mine didn't line up right either and i figured i got one drilled wrong too but i turned the jack around and it was fine

 

[sz0k30]

Thanks Gungatim. The Monte is a 75 with a factory 454.

I also built a shelf that rides on the lower leg extensions out of 1-1/2" angle & expanded metal grate for keeping misc pressing tools.

 

[007]

Looked at a 60603 today, not hte same as you all have posted. Much cheaper, less quality. Didn't buy it, will be looking at Greg's.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Thanks Gungatim. The Monte is a 75 with a factory 454.

I also built a shelf that rides on the lower leg extensions out of 1-1/2" angle & expanded metal grate for keeping misc pressing tools.

This is a great idea, nice job!

 

[BellyUpFish]

Thanks Gungatim. The Monte is a 75 with a factory 454.



I also built a shelf that rides on the lower leg extensions out of 1-1/2" angle & expanded metal grate for keeping misc pressing tools.

That was a great idea! I need to do this.

 

[Cheeky81]

I have been trying to get this press for my shop and I went to two stores.

First one (Southaven MS) had 20T (60603) and 12T (60604) model on display.
In the storage they only had 32879 and 33497, and they said they cant open the boxes to see the color, so I assumed they are older orange ones.

I asked if I could get the display model and the answer was no, so I kept looking.

Second store (Ridgeland MS) had orange 20T and 12T on the display. The 20T had welded upper crossmember. I asked if they had 6xxxxx in the storage. I told the store clerk I'm looking for a grey press. He was very nice and went looking in the back storage. After some time he came back with both 20T (32879) and 12T (33497) in grey. I was allowed to peak in the boxes and both were definitely grey.
The 20T had upper crossmember welded and it came in 3 boxes (one flat large box, one smaller box and one box for the jack). Similar was with the 12T - 3 boxes.

Can anyone else confirm this?

At the end I took the 12T version with 20% off coupon (thanks to hfqpdb) which is more than enough for what I'll be using it for.

 

[PowerDubs]

The new 20 ton only has 2 boxes. And you should have used a 25% coupon, not 20.

 

[ChrisLS8]

The new 20 ton only has 2 boxes. And you should have used a 25% coupon, not 20.

There arent any working 25% codes that I could find.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Can somebody tell me when my arbor plates are supposed to blow up?

 

[Shadowdog500]

Can somebody tell me when my arbor plates are supposed to blow up?

When you overload them.

 

[BFBOB]

Cast arbor plates- Maybe someone who knows a little more metallurgy than me could say whether they might be made less likely to fracture by annealing them? A home oven will usually get up to only 500 degrees, but a rosebud on my torch set should make 'em glow. Any point in trying?

 

[ChevyEFI]

I have tried, shadowdog.

 

[PowerDubs]

A home oven will usually get up to only 500

Put it on self clean, and it will hit 800+

 

[Boost Creep]

The new 20 ton only has 2 boxes. And you should have used a 25% coupon, not 20.

mine came in 3

 

[ishiboo]

The new 20 ton only has 2 boxes. And you should have used a 25% coupon, not 20.

Do you have a current 25% code? There haven't been any I have seen since the single January 1st deal.

 

[White 99]

I just got the newer 20 ton HF press with the steel or non cast arbor plates. I tried little project that I have and found I can't use the plates in an upright position because they are not cut flat and square and won't stand upright very straight.

I have little experience using a press. I assume it is normal to be able to use the arbor plates in a upright position; yes or no?

If so what would be a good way to true up the edges of these arbor plates? I don't have milling equipment or a disk sander. Anything big and I will have to get it done at a machine shop which may be costly. I see swag off road has some for sale but cost more than the press did. I guess that might be telling me something. Northern Tool has some plainer rectangle plates that may be better.

Any ideas?

 

[sz0k30]

NO. Arbor plates are NOT made to be used in an upright position. They're supposed to lay flat.

 

[Rusty Bones]

Re: Harbor Freight 20 ton press not stocked WTF

Went to HF for the second time to get this press today. I gave up last time after waiting in check out line forever while cashier tried to explain /sell extended warranty to some yay-hoo for a $30 item. So I get there today, stand in line only to find out they don't stock it. Called another store, waited on hold for 10 minutes before I gave up. Called the HF 800 number and was told it was out of stock until next month... "it'll be available on the 1st" She said. So it's not on sale it's $299 + $99 shipping, more than twice the in store sale price. Put it on sale but not stock it? None of the 5 stores in the (Houston TX) area actually stock this, even though it seems that everyone I talk to and on garagejournal loves them (sorta). Northern tool has one for $349 in stock - almost the same price as the HF. Does anyone have any experience with them or other brands? I have a couple projects on hold until I get a press... I just can't stand the thought of wasting any more of my time at HF or ever giving them another penny of my hard earned cash!

 

[Farmall450]

Any suggestions for a bolt source?

Wes

Farm & Fleet, by the pound.

 

[jlterry]

Re: Harbor Freight 20 ton press not stocked WTF

Went to HF for the second time to get this press today. I gave up last time after waiting in check out line forever while cashier tried to explain /sell extended warranty to some yay-hoo for a $30 item. So I get there today, stand in line only to find out they don't stock it. Called another store, waited on hold for 10 minutes before I gave up. Called the HF 800 number and was told it was out of stock until next month... "it'll be available on the 1st" She said. So it's not on sale it's $299 + $99 shipping, more than twice the in store sale price. Put it on sale but not stock it? None of the 5 stores in the (Houston TX) area actually stock this, even though it seems that everyone I talk to and on garagejournal loves them (sorta). Northern tool has one for $349 in stock - almost the same price as the HF. Does anyone have any experience with them or other brands? I have a couple projects on hold until I get a press... I just can't stand the thought of wasting any more of my time at HF or ever giving them another penny of my hard earned cash!

I bought a 20 ton press at the Pearland store a few weeks ago. It was $149 on sale and came with 3 boxes. The frame is welded.

 

[lcar987]

Hi Folks! New to the forum. Found you guys while searching for info on the HF 20 Ton press. Looks like the Model #60603 is the one to get. Can anyone tell me the capacity of this press? The previous Model #32879 says max capacity is 32 inches and I read somewhere (here?) that the 60603 is a few inches taller, so maybe the capacity is greater too? I couldn't find capacity the 60603 owner's manual.

I currently have a 2 piece drive shaft out of an F350 on the bench. The front section is about 33-34 inches (I can shorten a bit by popping the U-joint out). I need to R&R the center bearing on the front section and am wondering if the press will handle it.

 

[Farmall450]

Anyone have anything else to say about these? I'll probably pick one up next week.

 

[ndnchf]

I have a 60603 version and am very pleased with it. I did a few mods to it, including a winch that makes it much easier to use. Its a great press for the price.

 

[Mr onetwo]

I have a 60603 version and am very pleased with it. I did a few mods to it, including a winch that makes it much easier to use. Its a great press for the price.

Could you post up a photo of your mods please?

 

[ndnchf]

Photobucket seems to be down, but I posted some pics in this thread. I added the winch, casters, brackets to hold the handle, handle for jack valve.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=353596&highlight=harbor+freight+ton+press

 

[Hammer1963]

They are a good investment and you'll be quite pleased with your purchase. I am currently modifying and adapting a trolley made from parts of a HF motorcycle lift. I hope to be finished in the next couple of week and possibly post photos. I am hoping this will make the press easy to maneuver around the shop.

 

[Farmall450]

I'm glad to hear they're still holding up well. Certainly beats the arbor press and I like the idea of a finger brake kit down the road.

 

[Farmall450]

I got it today, set it up, seems very nice. Time will tell but it's hard to complain for the price.

 

[6PTsocket]

Years ago everybody was selling what they claimed was a 30 ton USA welded frame (no name) with a Chinese 20 ton jack. I picked mine up at the Carlisle swap meet for $159. The bottle jack was a Torin Big Red. Nothing great but easily replaced. I think the sellers bought the frame and supplied the jack. I see the exact same press on the Northern site for $549. I'm sure glad I am not looking now. That frame is bullet proof.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Farmall450]

Years ago everybody was selling what they claimed was a 30 ton USA welded frame (no name) with a Chinese 20 ton jack. I picked mine up at the Carlisle swap meet for $159. The bottle jack was a Torin Big Red. Nothing great but easily replaced. I think the sellers bought the frame and supplied the jack. I see the exact same press on the Northern site for $549. I'm sure glad I am not looking now. That frame is bullet proof.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

That's a good deal. For the $146 or so with tax this HF one was a no-brainer though. I couldn't get the steel for that. Although I plan on adding a release knob, and a holder for the jack handle.

 

[CrankyOldMan]

Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents.

I've been thinking about getting a press for some time now and this thread was an AWESOME source of info on what to look for. The first HF I went to only had the welded upper assembly and the floor model was SUPER SKETCHY. The upper channels were actually bowed out and the center web had a 3/8" gap on one side that had been partially welded. The second one I went to had the bolted upper assembly and was much nicer overall. I had an employee verify that they had 60603 in stock and used the 25% off coupon for the Easter weekend sale.

I'm planning on adding casters and some holding clips for the jack handle, but the air-over-oil option will have to wait until I've got a proper garage with power for the compressor. Thank you all so much for your hard work documenting the changes and sharing your mods!

 

[4x4_G30_Sportvan]

I bought the 60603 model, was sick from stupid TDaP shot Monday, going to put it all together today.

Seems to be pretty well made, very solid structural steel pieces.