How to Choose a Shop Press: Tonnage, Stroke, Pumps and Rolling Heads
How to choose a hydraulic shop press: tonnage, stroke, single vs double acting, hand, air or electric pumps, rolling heads and pullers.
Quick answer: A shop press uses a hydraulic cylinder in a rigid frame to press bearings, bushings, gears and pins in or out, and to straighten or bend parts. Choose by tonnage first, then stroke, bed width and work height, then the pump: hand, air or electric. A 10 ton bench press handles small bearings and bushings. A 25 ton press, the size many people mean when they search for a 20 ton shop press, covers most automotive work. 55 and 100 ton presses suit truck, ag and industrial shops.
Parts of a hydraulic shop press
- Frame. Most shop presses are H frame presses: two uprights joined by a top beam, with an adjustable bed between them.
- Cylinder. The ram that does the pressing. Its tonnage rating is the force at full system pressure.
- Pump. Hand, air hydraulic or electric. The pump sets how fast the ram moves and how much effort it takes.
- Bed and arbor plates. The bed height adjusts on pins. Arbor plates support the part around the bore.
- Gauge. Shows the force you are applying, so you can stop before something cracks.
- Guard. A press guard such as the BVA Hydraulics SPG100 for 55 and 100 ton models contains parts that can let go under load.
How much tonnage do you need?
| Tonnage | Typical work | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ton | Small bearings, bushings, bench work | BVA IMP1006 bench press |
| 25 ton | Wheel bearings, ball joints, U joints, most car and light truck work | BVA IMP2506 |
| 55 ton | Truck and ag bearings, larger bushings, straightening | BVA IMP5506 |
| 100 ton | Heavy equipment, industrial maintenance | BVA IEPD10010 |
Buy more capacity than your hardest job. A press that runs near its limit all day works harder and gives you less warning before a part lets go.
Stroke and work height
Stroke is how far the ram travels. A 6 inch stroke is common and fine when you can move the bed close to the work. A longer stroke, such as 13 or 14 inches, means less resetting of the bed pins for tall parts and for pressing long shafts. The BVA IMP2514 is a 25 ton press with a 14 inch stroke.
Single acting vs double acting
A single acting cylinder extends under pressure and returns with a spring. A double acting cylinder is powered in both directions, so it retracts faster and can pull as well as push. Double acting presses, such as the BVA IEPD2506, suit production work where cycle time matters.
Hand, air or electric pump
- Hand pump. Simple, quiet and needs no power. Best for occasional pressing.
- Air hydraulic pump. Treadle operated with shop air, which leaves both hands free to steady the part. The BVA IAP5506 pairs a 55 ton press with a PA1500 air pump.
- Electric pump. Fastest and least effort for repeated work. The BVA IEP2514 is a 25 ton, 14 inch stroke electric press.
Our hydraulic pump guide compares pump types in more detail.
Rolling head presses
On a rolling head press, the cylinder rides on a carriage that slides side to side along the top beam. You move the ram over the work instead of shifting a heavy part on the bed. That helps with wide parts and off center pressing. The BVA IEPR5513 is a 55 ton rolling head press with a 13 inch stroke.
Accessories worth adding
- Press accessory kits with adapters and pins, such as the BVA CS25 for 25 ton presses.
- Arbor plates to support the part around the bore.
- A guard on larger presses.
- Bearing separators and pullers to get parts off before pressing.
Gear pullers and bearing pullers
A press needs the part on the bed. When a gear or bearing is still on a shaft in the machine, a puller removes it. Mechanical 3 jaw pullers such as the BVA MGP05 cover lighter jobs. Hydraulic gear pullers, such as the BVA HGPT20, add a cylinder for stubborn parts and are sold without a power unit, so pair one with a pump.
Shop press safety
- Wear eye and face protection and keep a guard in place.
- Support the part fully on arbor plates or a fixture, never on the edge of the bed.
- Keep the ram square to the work.
- Watch the gauge and stop if force climbs with no movement.
- Never exceed the press rating or use cheater extensions on the pump handle.
Related
See all shop presses and pullers, hydraulic cylinders and air hydraulic pumps.
Frequently asked questions
What size shop press do I need for wheel bearings?
For most cars and light trucks, a 20 to 25 ton press is the common choice. Heavy trucks and equipment may need 55 tons or more.
What is an H frame press?
It is a press with two uprights and a top beam, shaped like the letter H, with an adjustable bed between the uprights.
Is an air hydraulic press worth it over a hand pump?
If you press often, yes. A treadle air pump frees both hands to hold the part and speeds up each cycle.
What does stroke mean on a shop press?
Stroke is how far the ram travels. A longer stroke means less resetting of the bed for tall parts.
Do I need a press guard?
A guard is strongly recommended, especially on larger presses, because parts can break or shift under load.
