Let's Talk Hydraulic Shop Presses

[Will McRay]

Okay, I am in the market for a hydraulic shop press. Don't want electric hydraulic or pneumatic. Looking for straight hydraulic ram and pump design.

I have worked heavy equipment in the Marine Corps and be used to only 50 ton presses. I don't think I will have a need for that capacity (could be wrong, prove me wrong).

My work is going to be mainly automotive and whatever my Kubota tractor needs. So what is the best "ton" rating for shop use?

Go!

 

[skulldrinker]

I have a 20 ton at home. We had a smaller 10 ton at Firestone and it did everything on cars that it was asked to do.

ps mines a HF

 

[Strouty]

20 is really popular, I like bigger tonnage so when you need it you got it. Most people that get a 10 ton or 12 ton, end up wanting at least a 20 ton.

 

[soj]

I have a 20T HF, it does everything I have needed. I work on cars, light trucks, compact tractor, no really big stuff. But it is not always size, rust is the enemy when pressing stuff apart.

There is another current thread here with basically the same question.
-jp

 

[Falcon67]

I have a 12 ton HF press. Paid for its $99 price many times over.

 

[Shadowdog500]

+1 on 20 ton. I have the new silver HF press and like it.
It goes onsale for around $150 regularly.

Chris

 

[becker_atc]

At the farm we have either a 60 or 80 but we have large farm equipment and a D6 cat among other things.

I would say buy the biggest one you haves room for OR find the biggest thing you own that might need to be pressed and buy one big enough to fit it.

We have a 10 I think at work and it's not the lack of power it's the lack of width between the uprights


Sent via message in a bottle

 

[redmondjp]

I made my own 12 ton in high school metal shop class. I have had that thing seriously tweaked out of shape trying to get wheel bearings off rear axles from an old Ford pickup with a 9" rear end (had to use heat to get them to pop loose which sounded like a gun going off).

I second the advice above to go with a 20 ton. Doesn't cost that much more, has more oomph, and as mentioned above, more space between the uprights.

 

[DangerousDan55]

My friend has the 12 ton HF. Working on rear differentials he has bowed the press. He wants a 20 ton or larger now.
This sold me on the 20 ton, when I get the money. Got a 1 ton arbor press which is good for really small stuff

 

[Will McRay]

If you would like to use it to bend metal (metal brake adapter), would you all recommend going to 30-40 ton?

 

[toplessHO]

I have a 30 ton USA frame but its only got a 20 ton Jap bottle jack.
So far its done everything I needed it to do.
When I was looking for one; rule of thumb was a 20 ton should weigh 200# a 30 ton,300# etc. With that much pressure its something I dont want a catastrophic failure with.

 

[kazlx]

I have a 50T that I got off CL. A little overkill for most stuff I do, but I think once I get a brake setup, it will be nice.

 

[rsanter]

I have a 30 ton that does everything I need to do

Bob

 

[zkling]

If you would like to use it to bend metal (metal brake adapter), would you all recommend going to 30-40 ton?

Yes, but it depends on the thickness and with of the bend.

20 ton min, 40 ton is even better especially if you want to do fab work such as bending wide pieces.

 

[Falcon67]

I made my own 12 ton in high school metal shop class. I have had that thing seriously tweaked out of shape trying to get wheel bearings off rear axles from an old Ford pickup with a 9" rear end (had to use heat to get them to pop loose which sounded like a gun going off).

I second the advice above to go with a 20 ton. Doesn't cost that much more, has more oomph, and as mentioned above, more space between the uprights.

I build 9" rears with my 12 ton - no problems. I press 9" axle bearings - no problem. Side bearings, pinion bearings - all should be warmed with a coffe mug warmer before installation.

I never press off a bearing, especially on a 9" axle. Nick the outer race with a cutoff tool, pop with a cold chisel - it shatters. Remove the bearings and cage if any, nick the inner race with the cutoff, pop the cut with a cold chisel, slide the inner race off the axle. Very easy.

 

[ishiboo]

Okay, I am in the market for a hydraulic shop press. Don't want electric hydraulic or pneumatic. Looking for straight hydraulic ram and pump design.

I have worked heavy equipment in the Marine Corps and be used to only 50 ton presses. I don't think I will have a need for that capacity (could be wrong, prove me wrong).

My work is going to be mainly automotive and whatever my Kubota tractor needs. So what is the best "ton" rating for shop use?

Go!

I think the 20 ton HF is the best value. You can add the Swag brake which is cooler than a press by far, IMO. Kubota doesn't make any huge tractors, so I'm guessing everything you'll need to do is doable with a 20-ton.

I re-built the front axle of my L3650 and there were a few things I had pressed out, but I could have done with a puller if I really wanted to.

 

[fsae0607]

I never press off a bearing, especially on a 9" axle. Nick the outer race with a cutoff tool, pop with a cold chisel - it shatters. Remove the bearings and cage if any, nick the inner race with the cutoff, pop the cut with a cold chisel, slide the inner race off the axle. Very easy.

Some of the best advice ever!

I'm planning on getting the HF 2-ton in the near future. Then follow it up with the SWAG press kit!

 

[astroracer]

If you would like to use it to bend metal (metal brake adapter), would you all recommend going to 30-40 ton?

I have a 30 ton rated machine also. When I bought it had a 20 ton jack on it. It's done everything I've asked it to do also. With my Swag Bender I have done 5/8th's plate with no problems.
Mark

 

[66354dream]

I have a no name 30 ton off of Craigslist it has done everything I've wanted in a press so far, I really doubt it would handle pressing a full 30 tons but then again there's nothing in my garage I can't think of off the top of my head that will require that much power.

 

[oldmxracer]

I have a cheap china built 20 ton press that I bought 11 years ago off eBay stuck a 35 ton china built air over jack in it, 20 ton would not get the job done

I rebuild mx crankshafts with this, in 11 years this rig has never failed.

Even bought an extra 35 ton jack at the same time and it is still in the box.

I would go for the 20 ton.

 

[pauleyman]

I have a 20 ton and I like it because its bigger. I hate the harbor freight presses because the jacks are cheap and I wouldnt touch those arbor plates. Quality press plates are safer.