5 Types of Hydraulic Presses and Why You Need Them

You know what a hydraulic press is and how it works, but did you know that there are different types that can make your workload easier and more efficient?

A manual press would be best for smaller objects and simple applications. A movable table press would be ideal for large, heavy objects that you cannot lift on your own.

So, how do you know what style will be best for your application? Here we will describe 5 different types of hydraulic presses and why you would need them.

The Movable Table Hydraulic Press

Say you have a widget that is too big and too heavy to place on the bed of a standard H-frame style press safely and efficiently.  You can’t load it with a fork lift or an overhead hoist, but you need to press a bushing out of it.

Oh, and these widgets come in different sizes so you need flexibility as far as daylight goes. A movable table press is the answer to this perplexing problem. Whether you need 25 tons is of pressure or up to 200 tons of pressure, movable table presses hit the mark.

Load your part safely onto the table using a forklift, overhead hoist or two strong people, then simply roll the table under the work head and work your magic.

The work head can be raised or lowered to meet your daylight requirements from one size widget to another.

The Movable Frame Hydraulic Press

Ok, here is another scenario. You have a shaft or a steel plate that needs to be straightened (which in itself can be a challenge). Now imagine that shaft you are trying to straighten is 6 feet long and you only have an H-frame press to get the job done.

You are constantly moving the part trying to line up the area you need to apply pressure to. It’s nearly impossible to bring the part to the work head and hit your mark every time. What if you could bring the work head to the part instead?

With a movable frame press you can do just that! Load your part safely from any side or down from above, move the frame to the location you need to press, then move the work head to zero in on the precise area you need to contact. From here out it’s gravy you get the work done easily and safely.

The Air Operated Hydraulic Press

Is your shop short on power but you have an air hook-up and don’t want to manually pump a press? Maybe you need to operate a press in an explosive atmosphere. An air operated hydraulic press will solve your problems.

You will receive the same pressing power as an electric press but without the mess of electrical hook-ups. These presses are offered in 25-200 ton capacities.

Double Acting Hydraulic Press

Many companies purchase a hydraulic press for an application that requires a fixture or die be mounted on the piston. Often times, they make the mistake of getting a single acting press for this type of application.

Unfortunately, a single acting work head has a spring return, and if the die is too heavy, the return may not be full or consistent. This is where a double acting hydraulic press comes in handy.

They offer more lifting power keeping your dies and fixtures where you want them, when you want them there.

The Manual Hydraulic Press

Say you have a submarine and aboard you have a small machine shop. Above and beyond the basic repair tools, you probably need a press. Power is at a premium and floor space is not something you have a lot of. What do you do?

A Dake manual H-frame press will offer an easy solution to your problem. No power is necessary and you won’t lose durability or pressing power.

Even if you don’t have a submarine, a Dake H-frame press can do hundreds of applications just about anywhere at any time.