Murphy Hydraulics 30ton press. Anyone ever seen one?

[Razorhunter]

I scored a factory green 30ton press for cheap and it’s marked “Murphy Engineering model H30j Concord, NC”
Google turns up nothing, but there actually is a “McMurphy” Hydraulics currently located in Concord, NC so I will call them Monday just to see if there is any relation. I figure if there is any place on the net to find another Murphy hydraulic press owner, it’s probably here.
I will try to attach pics but I know years ago on this forum, I never could.
Anyone with any similar press here?
ETA thank The Lord it’s super easy to post pics now!
I have encircled some pieces in the photos for reference to some questions I have for you all.
Thanks for any info guys.
Anyone ever owned one of these?

 

[Firebrick43]

What are the questions about the things circled?

 

[Razorhunter]

Well I was wondering if the yellow knurled knobs were just for packing containment or if they were somehow used to align the holes for the lever arm.
As for the red, where the table support pins go, I was wondering what was the best material to use for new pins? They are 3/4” and there is two of them. Not four, as some presses have.
The blue shows some type of braking system which I think is used to keep the cable system from freewheeling but I was wondering if it had missing pieces, like possibly a brass bushing or anything perhaps?
Also, wondering the best hydraulic fluid to use and how do I determine capacity/amount to use?

 

[Firebrick43]

Yes, those knurled nuts are packings.

Can you post a picture at 45 degrees to the others of the pump pivot point. That is sort of unique.

They sell hydraulic jack oil at napa or a 10 weight/iso 32 hydraulic oil. There should be a fill port somewhere on the side. Maybe the screw head on the left side of the cylinder reservoir on picture 2

I would recommend 1144, aka lasalle stressproof as the pins.

The blue thingy, that looks like a home made brake or lock to me.

 

[Hiball]

I’ve seen vintage Hein Werner presses with similar setups, the bottle jack in your picture is definitely HW. What I don’t know is if HW was actually producing the H-press or it was just a collaboration between the two companies, and they where sharing components and marketing it under there brand.

 

[Razorhunter]

I’ve seen vintage Hein Werner presses with similar setups, the bottle jack in your picture is definitely HW. What I don’t know is if HW was actually producing the H-press or it was just a collaboration between the two companies, and they where sharing components and marketing it under there brand.

Edited

 

[Razorhunter]

Guys, can someone tell me if this is some sort of double acting bottle jack setup where you’re supposed to slide the lever arm in, all the way through BOTH pivot points? Or is it just for ease of operation from both sides of the press and only one pivot is to be used at a time?
As it is now, only one side works to move the ram. I do not yet know if possibly a deal or check valve inside is shot on the non working side or if I’m improperly operating it lol.
I just know there are two pivots on this press and also two release valves as well, but as I said, only one pivot/pump works, but both release valves do indeed work.
I will gladly post some pics 45 deg to the pump pivots later this am. Hopefully I am understanding the 45 deg shot you are requesting Firebrick. I appreciate you guys commenting. I’d like to better understand this press design. I’ve just never seen this setup before.

 

[Sumboodie]

3/4" pins?

The ones in my 30 ton are about 1 3/8" (probably metric

 

[Sumboodie]

Guys, can someone tell me if this is some sort of double acting bottle jack setup where you’re supposed to slide the lever arm in, all the way through BOTH pivot points? Or is it just for ease of operation from both sides of the press and only one pivot is to be used at a time?
As it is now, only one side works to move the ram. I do not yet know if possibly a deal or check valve inside is shot on the non working side or if I’m improperly operating it lol.
I just know there are two pivots on this press and also two release valves as well, but as I said, only one pivot/pump works, but both release valves do indeed work.
I will gladly post some pics 45 deg to the pump pivots later this am. Hopefully I am understanding the 45 deg shot you are requesting Firebrick. I appreciate you guys commenting. I’d like to better understand this press design. I’ve just never seen this setup before.

Looks to be a 2 speed setup. Fast/low pressure, and slow/high pressure.

Fairly common in higher end presses.

 

[cvairwerks]

Probably a two speed pump. The big bore makes it move fast til the pressure builds and the small bore builds the high pressure.

 

[Razorhunter]

I’m wondering if it’s almost like my Dake compound leverage arbor press, which has two sliding pins. One pin is standard leverage (fast acting, longer ram movement per stroke, but less force) and the second pin is compound leverage (slower acting/less ram movement per stroke, but MAX force is applied)
The owner of this hydraulic press (who albeit wasn’t extremely knowledgeable) made a comment to me that the press had “two speeds” so I’m wondering if one pivot is giving more force but less ram movement per stroke, while the other pivot is giving less force but more ram movement per stroke???? If you notice in the pics, the pivot pumps have different sized hexagonal bodies and this intrigued me. Any comments appreciated. I can find absolutely nothing on the net regarding this press.

 

[Razorhunter]

Looks to be a 2 speed setup. Fast/low pressure, and slow/high pressure.

Fairly common in higher end presses.

Ok gotcha, cool.

Well let me ask you this… if one bore is not seemingly working, that would most likely be a seal on the pump piston, correct? Or could it be a check valve too? I’m trying to decide if a faulty check valve on the one inoperable side, would still allow the other operable side to still work? Or wouldn’t a faulty check valve anywhere in the system cause both sides to become inoperable?
Thanks guys.

 

[Razorhunter]

3/4" pins?

The ones in my 30 ton are about 1 3/8" (probably metric

Yeah I’m not really impressed by the size of these pins and there are only two. One per side.

 

[BillK]

Cant help on most of the questions but I bet the pins on my 20 ton OTC press are no bigger than 1/2" But there are four of them. I have had it for over 30 years and it gets used almost daily and I don't think there is any wear on the pins. I would go to Tractor supply and see if they have any 3/4" hitch pins that are long enough and call it a day.

I just found one reference for a 3/4" grade 5 hitch pin that showed the shear strength at 38k lbs. So realistically even the two you have are overkill.

 

[Razorhunter]

Actually guys, I’m totally shot out. There are means for using 4 pins. However, only two were present. I will be adding the additional two pins here soon. No idea how I overlooked the additional holes earlier.

 

[Razorhunter]

I’ve seen vintage Hein Werner presses with similar setups, the bottle jack in your picture is definitely HW. What I don’t know is if HW was actually producing the H-press or it was just a collaboration between the two companies, and they where sharing components and marketing it under there brand.

Hey Hiball,
Any chance I might find a Hein Werner seals kit for this hydraulic jack? Seeing how they always were a big name, I wonder if they might possibly still service this jack, or would I be better off just trying a local hydraulic supply shop? I think there may be one seal on one of the piston pumps leaking/getting some blowby but not sure yet.
Anyhow, I’m really just curious if parts might even still be available for an old HW jack like this? Would you know?
Btw, here’s those 45 deg pics you mentioned earlier. I’d love to find a decent replacement gage for this thing. This old gage is no longer functional.

 

[Razorhunter]

so I’ve been scouring the net and actually found a dirt cheap rebuild kit for this Hein Werner 30.11aa Jack used on this press. I even found a parts schematic as well. Only one source in the world it seems. A company named Lazzars HCRC NOW out of Cali. I’m sure some of you guys know about this company. This guys got tons of info and old parts on a number of brands including HW.
Anyhow, I’ve not called them, but wanted to ask here first, if anyone here happens to know a good match to this HW green paint color? I’ve searched Google and most discussion is with regards to the old HW orange and the more modern blue colors. I’m not even sure exactly what years this HW green was used, but apparently it’s one of the earlier era paint colors used. Any help appreciated guys. I’ve been away from this forum a while. It’s really good to be back and see this forum still seems to be active. I was worried you GJ guys would go the way of most other forums these days. Thanks and here’s another shot of the HW green if anyone knows a good match.
Also, if anyone knows a good recommendation for a replacement pressure gauge such as this one pictured, by all means, I’d love to hear about it.

 

[Hiball]

You can save yourself about $50 bucks and purchase it from Hydraulic Parts supply in Sawyer KS. Regardless, I would tear the jack down first to make sure everything is good internally prior to buying a kit. If you have any questions ask to talk to Steve Flora, He can help you with the Gauge also.

 

[joelunchbox]

What makes the internet great? People who post useful information.
I have this exact press and the high pressure side is inop due to I'm guessing, a check ball/spring is messed up. It tries to build pressure but the pressure is not trapped in the cylinder but simply pushes the handle back up.
Thank you for the model number.
Has anyone been through a similar style jack? What do I need to look out for?

 

[Razorhunter]

Does anyone have any tips for tightening these presses up a bit? In order to prevent the massive slop/back and forth play when you actually go to press down on something? I realize these aren’t going to be super precise but any improvement would be a huge help.

 

[Debcrow]

MURPHY press, what could possibly go wrong???

I would do what has already been recommended. Tear the jack down and do a good cleaning and inspection before you get into buying parts. Not a difficult job and can often save time, dollars and anguish later.

 

[Razorhunter]

What makes the internet great? People who post useful information.
I have this exact press and the high pressure side is inop due to I'm guessing, a check ball/spring is messed up. It tries to build pressure but the pressure is not trapped in the cylinder but simply pushes the handle back up.
Thank you for the model number.
Has anyone been through a similar style jack? What do I need to look out for?

I recently found a rebuild kit for this Hein Werner jack on eBay. There are likely more available I think. Hit me up if you need the p/n. I could probably find it. Or at least send pics of mine.

 

[Retired dozer fixer]

How about a couple of Gr.8 3/4” bolts for pins?