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

[Wangstang]

So many have come to trust the 20-ton Harbor Freight press despite it's enduring reputation for a leaking jack. The outstanding price and solid construction at the $150 price point with various coupons have made it a useful tool for DIY's of all types.

This would be the original, well known, 20-ton Press, item 32879 :
Central Hydraulics - item#32879

http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-shop-press-32879.html

Name Shop Press, 20 Ton
SKU 32879
Brand Central Hydraulics
Capacity 20 tons
Material Steel
Maximum width between channels 16-3/8"
Maximum working distance (in.) 32 in.
Minimum working distance (in.) 0 in.
Product Depth 26 in.
Product Height 5 ft.
Product Width 26-1/2 in.
Accessories Included Arbor Plates
Warranty 90 Day

It looks like Harbor Freight used an alternate part number for a 12" taller version of that's also got about 6" of extra width on the work surface same design, item 97022 :
Central Hydraulics - item#97022

http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-h-frame-shop-press-97022.html
http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/97000-97999/97022.PDF

Name Shop Press, 20 Ton
SKU 97022
Brand Central Hydraulics
Capacity 20 tons
Material Steel
Maximum working distance (in.) 32 in.
Minimum working distance (in.) 0 in.
Product Depth 27 in.
Product Height 6 ft.
Product Weight 100 lbs.
Product Width 28 in.
Travel length (in.) 4-7/8 in.
Width between channels (in.) 22-1/4 in.
Accessories Included Arbor Plates
Warranty 90 Day

Harbor Freight is now phasing in a new model that doesn't come up when you search for 20-ton presses on the website but will show up if you search by the new item number 60603 :
Central Hydraulics - item#60603

http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-shop-press-60603.html

I found this new press on the website about two weeks ago when I ran the item numbers on the coupon from Car Craft magazine and I've been trying to get a bit more info on it.

Name 20 Ton Shop Press
SKU 60603
Brand Central Machinery
Capacity 20 tons
Material Steel
Product Depth 27-5/8 in.
Product Height 6-1/12 ft.
Product Width 27-7/8 in.
Travel length (in.) 5-1/2 in.
Accessories Included Arbor plates
Warranty 90 Day

It looks like the new bolt together 20 ton was spec'ed to the larger size of the 97022 welded frame model.

At first glance, the 60603 appears to be a mix of the Greg Smith Equipment 20 ton and 30 ton presses:
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/20-Ton-Hydraulic-Shop-Press_2
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/30-Ton-Hydraulic-Shop-Press

Also kind of favors the grizzly 12 and 30 ton press:
http://grizzly.com/products/30-Ton-Shop-Press/H6228
http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-Ton-Hydraulic-Press-Floor-Model/H2871

The most notable difference is that the new 20 ton uses a bolt together frame vs a welded frame. The work surface appears to have extra bands on the outside of the frame to prevent them from dropping out of alignment and the springs have been moved outward as well.

I've heard stories here of the welded frame cracking and of the frames not being square from time to time so I'm not sure that a bolt together frame is so bad.

The first report I've heard of the 60603 in the wild was from yesterday, over at Slick Deals:

Well got the 20 ton press, when the guy came around with the cart it had just 2 boxes, 1 long maybe 12"x12", other had the jack,I bought one 6 months ago It had the large flat box where the frame is in, and I never used it and returned it for the motorcycle lift, well the new ones are NOT WELDED there BOLTED like the POS 12 ton!!
They said this is what were getting from now on, i was pissed!!, so i asked for the display model, and took that home, no wobbly bolted frame for me!
The new style press is grey painted, not orange, it also had a part # something like 80XXX

Obviously the above poster didn't know there was a change coming and jumped to the conclusion that the new version is bad due to the reputation of the 12 ton as he didn't make it out of the store with the new 20 ton.

I'm in the market for a new press now, something that will probably only be used a few times a month at best, more likely only a few times a year.

Should I rush out and get a welded frame model before they are gone or should I get the new bolt together version?

Thanks
Wes

 

[ilovevocs]

I don't have a freer answer for your question but that color is certainly an upgrade over the awful looking orange. Ironically mine is painted much like that. Best of luck in your decision. My welded frame has served me well and for the price it has been a great asset.

 

[Wangstang]

I don't have a freer answer for your question but that color is certainly an upgrade over the awful looking orange. Ironically mine is painted much like that. Best of luck in your decision. My welded frame has served me well and for the price it has been a great asset.

Which press do you have?

Wes

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I've had my HF press for several years and haven't has any issues with it. I quite often bend plate steel with a press brake from swag off-road

I'm not sure how the new bolted version would perform, but taller would have some advantages when dealing with full length axle shafts

Tough call on which would be better but for around something in the 150-200 dollar range you'd be hard pressed (pun intended) to buy the steel and jack and make your own

 

[bluebolt]

Something tells me I would be changing those bolts for something stronger! Otherwise it looks good.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I have had times when the overall height capacity could have been more.

And a pulley system to raise and lower the working surface would be helpful.

Otherwise, my orange welded has been serving well (without any arbor plate blow-ups!) since 2005.

 

[Wangstang]

Something tells me I would be changing those bolts for something stronger! Otherwise it looks good.

Any suggestions for a bolt source?

Wes

 

[mattamd_xp]

I use a 50 ton press where I work and its frame is bolt together. I wouldn't worry about having bolts holding it together.

 

[ATC]

Any suggestions for a bolt source?

Wes

Tractor Supply.

$4.49/lb

 

[oldtools]

Something tells me I would be changing those bolts for something stronger! Otherwise it looks good.

What grade of bolt are you planning to replace with. I think they already come with grade 5 bolt. My Nugier press came with grade 5 bolt.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I actually think I'd prefer the newer design over the older one.

I noticed several of HF's lifting/jacks/gantry/engine stands/etc are changing from orange to semimetallic grey and I don't really mind. If it works, I don't care so much.

 

[sselander]

you can glean some more info by looking at the owners manual for the new press as well:

http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/60000-60999/60603.PDF

 

[rockchucker]

I would much rather trust a Bolt with a Hardness Rating rather than some yayhooo running beads for the first time in his life. It is hard to tell a good weld and penetration once it is powdercoated. Sure it might look good but without penetration it will fail...at the worst time possible.

I have this press and I bolted it all together. It is nothing special but has enough room for what I need to do. Just a touch on the weak side though rated only at 10k lbs...


http://www.grizzly.com/products/10-Ton-Floor-Shop-Press/H6232

 

[TheGrooveking]

Thanks for posting this, good reference work too.

TheGrooveking

 

[skulldrinker]

Mine is laying right now in the bed of my Ranger so I guess I got the 5 foot version.

 

[bluebolt]

Tractor Supply.

$4.49/lb

As long as they are grade 8!

 

[bluebolt]

I actually think I'd prefer the newer design over the older one.

I noticed several of HF's lifting/jacks/gantry/engine stands/etc are changing from orange to semimetallic grey and I don't really mind. If it works, I don't care so much.

When I got my HF gantry crane I was pleased to find it was gray instead of the floor model orange.

 

[stonesfan68]

Any suggestions for a bolt source?

Wes

Find a place that sells grade 8 bolts. Grainger, McMaster-Carr, or Fastenal are three big vendors.

 

[RCStocker]

Do you have any idea how much force one of those bolts will hold in sheer? If a bolt fails I would be very supprised.

A regular fir 2x4 will hold 2200 pounds before it starts to crush in compression. Look for a bold chart. They may be cheap bolts but they will hold.

All your tall buildings have rivits or bolts.

Thats a long post over a cheap press.

 

[Stephenw]

I wish Harbor Freight would sell a press like this...

Shipping makes this one costly from other vendors.

 

[tube_guy]

If the press is designed and made properly, a bolted together assembly should be no problem. But, a good weld is certainly going to be much stronger than those bolts in shear. The welded frame also handles bending moments much better than the bolted assembly would. If the presses were exactly the same other than the welded/bolted frame, I would go with the welded frame. But they're not the same, and the new press is a bit larger, which is useful.

 

[Jagmandave]

I bought my 20 ton press from harbor Frieght in 1998, it was a bolt together unit, I remember because I bolted it together! And yes, it did get wobbly at times, so I'd have to put the impact wrench on the bolts every three or four years, but it never failed, and I had it at capacity more than once!

I also would not fear a bolted-together press, if you are worried about the quality of the bolts it's an easy fix to get better ones from Fastenal or some place.

 

[Wangstang]

FYI Harbor Freight has these presses on sale for 169, find a 25% coupon and you cannot pick one up for $127. Your choice, welded or bolted.

Wes

 

[243]

My little press is made in the USA, mostly from scrap steel I had on hand

It eventually received a black paint job and a 20T Torin jack, cost less than 75.00.

 

[wornoutoldman]

^^^ Nice job!!

 

[vtx531]

I just picked up one of the new 12-ton versions. I used it to install an axle bearing on my Jeep and it worked great. The press plates that came with it don't seem to be cast - looks like the edges are torch cut. Maybe they improved that. Cost $90 with a coupon.

 

[shampoop]

And it's not orange!

One of the most obnoxious things about harbor freight tools. If it's a tool I need and a great deal, I'll buy it in spite, but just start painting your stuff normal colors!

 

[Wanna Ride]

I bought one of the 20-ton units a couple years ago at HF, when they were on sale for about $169, and used a 20% off coupon, got it for about $135. Brought it home, assembled it, and immediately fabbed about a 14" extension on it, and painted it red. Works (and looks) awesome.

 

[ot1]

I brought the 20 ton (60603), the larger size (height-work width-tonnage) $160 with coupon, seems worth the extra $65 over their 12 ton model (60604). One thing I did though is purchase extra hardware from Menard's from their metric drawers, to add washers under the heads of all bolts. I also used extra washers to space out the angled strap supports on the legs instead of bending them. This required a thickness of two washers per support and required purchasing longer bolts too. I also purchased 8mm Nylok nuts and flat washers for the spring eyebolts and ran the supplied nut to the top of the eyebolt threads and used the supplied washer under that nut with the Nylok nut and a washer on the bottom side. I used a wide based Swanson 6" aluminum square to align the machine top (16mm bolts) first then aligned the base. Because I assembled this by myself, I attached the legs to the head piece first, then slipped on the work support, then attached the legs and then uprighted it to align and tighten everything, then installed the jack. Also I used the supplied thinner 16mm washer inbetween the headpiece and leg on both sides to take up slop, requiring the purchase of 4 extra washers.

All from Menard's
(8) 16mm flat washers
(20) 10mm flat washers (these were $.39 for a pack of two)
(4) 10mm x 25mm bolts
(2) 8mm Nylok nuts
(2) 8mm flat washers

 

[Aquamach]

I am in the market for a press and was wondering what the consensus was on Harbor Freights two 20 ton presses? Which is better? As stated in this thread, the old orange press (32879) is being replaced by 60603. The 32879 is a welded unit while the newer model is bolt together. My store has the older unit, but not the newer so it's hard to come to a conclusion. Thoughts and comments please? Thanks!!!

 

[oldtools]

I am in the market for a press and was wondering what the consensus was on Harbor Freights two 20 ton presses? Which is better? As stated in this thread, the old orange press (32879) is being replaced by 60603. The 32879 is a welded unit while the newer model is bolt together. My store has the older unit, but not the newer so it's hard to come to a conclusion. Thoughts and comments please? Thanks!!!

I would go with the new one. Look better quality. You have the option of welded them together later on or change to higher strength bolts. Take up less space if you need to disassemble it or modify it.

 

[Ign]

I am in the market for a press and was wondering what the consensus was on Harbor Freights two 20 ton presses? Which is better? As stated in this thread, the old orange press (32879) is being replaced by 60603. The 32879 is a welded unit while the newer model is bolt together. My store has the older unit, but not the newer so it's hard to come to a conclusion. Thoughts and comments please? Thanks!!!

I can't find the thread now but there was one about some stores not having all the boxes the new presses come in. So just make sure you get X of X boxes if you opt for the new one.

Otherwise, I have no useful input except lots of people have the old style press and it serves faithfully.

 

[91bronc300]

Are the press plates still cast with the new model?

 

[ChevyEFI]

It looks like the new bolt together 20 ton was spec'ed to the larger size of the 97022 welded frame model.

taller would have some advantages when dealing with full length axle shafts

I am in the market for a press and was wondering what the consensus was on Harbor Freights two 20 ton presses? Which is better? As stated in this thread, the old orange press (32879) is being replaced by 60603. The 32879 is a welded unit while the newer model is bolt together. My store has the older unit, but not the newer so it's hard to come to a conclusion. Thoughts and comments please? Thanks!!!

I haven't paid that much attention to the new ones in stores, but I have the old. The above two comments are the most important items to me; it appears to have more width at the work area. And I've wanted for more working height. Not often, but a friend had a two-piece driveline in need of a new carrier bearing.

 

[Aquamach]

I can't find the thread now but there was one about some stores not having all the boxes the new presses come in. So just make sure you get X of X boxes if you opt for the new one.

Otherwise, I have no useful input except lots of people have the old style press and it serves faithfully.

I read that somewhere too. When my store gets the new one in, I'll be paying close attention.

As to your press, the old one, I have heard that the jack leaks and it is a common problem with this. I hope the new press has an improved jack...lol!!!

 

[ChevyEFI]

I read that somewhere too. When my store gets the new one in, I'll be paying close attention.

As to your press, the old one, I have heard that the jack leaks and it is a common problem with this. I hope the new press has an improved jack...lol!!!

2005 purchase date. No leaks here.

My arbor plates haven't blown up either.

A new jack for it isn't that expensive.

 

[toolguynj]

I have had the welded HF 20 ton orange press for about 15 years with no issues. It has done everything I needed it to do. I think I only paid about $125 for it on sale back then so definitely no complaints.

 

[92GreenYJ]

I don't have a freer answer for your question but that color is certainly an upgrade over the awful looking orange. Ironically mine is painted much like that. Best of luck in your decision. My welded frame has served me well and for the price it has been a great asset.

Agreed. When I bought mine a few weeks ago they had one of the new grey models on the floor. Asked the warehouse guy if I could get one of the new color ones but they only had the old ugly orange ones in the back. All well. Nothing a few cans of hammered cant fix

 

[jeeper421]

I picked up the new grey one today I had my local store order one from the distribution center. The new model 60603 has all C channel construction on the legs, top plates and work surface no stamped steel like on the older 32879 welded model. The arbor plates also look to be steel and not cast. With the 169 rain check I had and a 25% off coupon $134 with tax I am very happy with it and for the price can't beat it. It also comes with a one piece jack handle.

 

[bimmerTEK]

How did you got them to combined them? I can't get them to do a coupon on discount items is either one? right now a discounted price is $169 and coupon of 20% will be nice.. Where did you find the 25% coupon and rain check?