Guide
How to choose a hydraulic press
A hydraulic press gives controlled force for pressing, straightening, forming and assembly. Choose it by the force you need, the size of the work and how often you use it.
Force
Find the highest force that your work needs and choose a press with a margin above it. Running a press near its limit all the time shortens its life. Use our hydraulic press force calculator to check the force from pressure and cylinder size.
Frame type
H-frame presses are rigid and common for general workshop work. C-frame presses give open access from three sides for lighter jobs.
Stroke and daylight
The stroke is how far the ram moves. The daylight is the opening between the table and the ram, which limits the height of the part and the tooling. Check both against your largest job.
Table and tooling
Compare the table size and the load it can carry. Adjustable tables and accessories make the press more flexible.
Control and safety
Manual, pneumatic-hydraulic and electric control differ in speed and repeatability. Make sure that guarding and safety devices suit your work and make a risk assessment.