Help identifying ratcheting shop press

[RookieLR]

I recently saw an interesting ratcheting shop press w the label of Bethlehem. Trying to find out anything about it to see how much it can press. Trying to push some bearings for a radius arm project and want to make sure I don’t overload it! It’s 30” x 20”

 

[RTM]

Here is a start

Hydraulic Press

Not something I use very often, but when I saw this 20 ton Snap-On for $200 on a local Sale I had to have it. Works perfectly and seller included all the steel blocks and plates. Needs some paint. I can't say how old this is, but does have the old Snap-On logo. Steel says "Bethlehem Steel"...

www.garagejournal.com

Here is a link that says Bethlehem Steel did make presses, hydraulic and power.

The Iron Age

books.google.com

 

[Provincial]

While Bethlehem may have made presses, they also rolled their name into the web of every I-beam and channel they made. Don't assume that the lettering on the channel iron identifies the manufacturer of the press.

Without dimensions of the channels, it is hard to determine the strength of the press. Judging from the bend in the upper channels, the screw can put out more force than the frame can handle.

A starting point for estimating the capacity is to look at hydraulic presses with similar structural components (especially the cross channels that carry the force in the upper frame), and keep in mind that the wider the opening between the vertical channels, the less force they can handle.

 

[cvairwerks]

A screw press with that small of a drive is probably going to be in the 5 ton range.