Hydraulic Bench Press or Arbor Press? Is 10 Tonnes Enough?

A worn suspension bush or a tight bearing that the vice and hammer won’t shift, or a keyway to broach in a pulley? A hydraulic bench press handles bush and bearing work; an arbor press suits small, light parts. Here is how to size one.

The Bench Presses range at PartsForMachines has 13 products from Sealey, Draper, Sykes Pickavant and SIP: three arbor presses from 1 to 3 tonnes and ten hydraulic bench presses rated up to 15 tonnes.

Is a 10-Tonne Hydraulic Bench Press Enough for Bushes and Bearings?

Often, yes: bushes, bearings and universal joints are the work these presses are built for. Check the space too, as the part, its support and the driver must all fit under the ram. The 70538 10-tonne bench press sets the table 110 to 365mm below the ram, with a 175mm stroke; the smaller YK6ECB economy press offers up to 300mm under the ram and a 127mm stroke. Never exceed the rated capacity: if a part won’t move, stop and check the set-up.

Arbor Press or Hydraulic Bench Press: Which Do I Need?

Choose an arbor press for small, light press fits and a hydraulic bench press when you need real force. An arbor press is worked by a hand lever on a toothed ram and is a common choice for pins, bushings and small bearings. The PK1000 1-tonne arbor press has 95mm between table and ram and a 114mm throat. Our hydraulic bench presses go up to 15 tonnes, and most have a gauge showing the force. If you do both kinds of work, owning one of each makes sense.

How Big an Arbor Press Do I Need for Small Parts and Broaching?

Size it by the room under the ram and the throat depth as much as by tonnage. The part, its support and the tool must fit between table and ram, and a deeper throat reaches further in from the edge of a wide part. That space runs from 95mm on the 1-tonne press and 170mm on the 2-tonne to 280mm on the PK3000 3-tonne arbor press, which has a 178mm throat. Keyway broaches are push tools that need generous clearance, so measure the broach, its guide bush and the part together.

Which Adapters Do I Need to Press Out Bushes of Different Sizes?

Usually a set of drivers matched to your bushes, plus plates or blocks to support the part. Use a driver slightly smaller than the old bush’s outside diameter, so it pushes the bush rather than the arm, and support the arm firmly with room below for the bush to come out. Many presses include some tooling: the 70563 15-tonne bench press comes with eight press pins and two V-shaped blocks. When fitting a bearing, press only on the ring with the tight fit, through a sleeve resting on that ring.

What Should I Check Before I Buy?

• the force: 1 to 3 tonnes on an arbor press for pins, small bearings and broaching; 10 or 15 tonnes on most hydraulic bench presses
• the room under the ram and the stroke, plus the table opening a shaft must pass through, for example 80mm on the YK6ECB and 147mm on the PPB15S
• a gauge and overload protection: the YC10B and YK6ECB have no gauge; the 70538 has an overload safety valve
• a firm, level bench strong enough for the press, which should be bolted down before use
• the tooling included: press pins, V-blocks, plates or extension tubes vary by model, so plan drivers for your own bushes

Browse the Bench Presses range, or contact the PartsForMachines team by WhatsApp, telephone or email with the part you need to press and its size.

Product options, delivery options and returns terms are shown on each product page. A 30-day return policy applies to eligible items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 6-ton press the same as a 6-tonne press?

Not always. A US or short ton is 2,000lb, about 907kg, while a metric tonne is 1,000kg, so a 6-ton rating in US tons is roughly 5.4 tonnes. Some makers write “ton” for tonne, so check the unit before you compare presses.

Is a budget bench press safe to use?

It can be, if it is set up square and kept within its rating. Wear eye or face protection and stand clear: a part can shatter or shoot out under load. Look for an overload safety valve, as on the 70538.

What does a double-speed hand pump do?

It runs the ram quickly down to the work while the load is light, then gives slower, controlled strokes at high pressure. The 53410000 10-tonne bench press has one, along with an overload safety valve and automatic ram return.

Which bench press suits wide or awkward parts?

Try a C-frame press such as the YC10B. It is open on three sides, so wide or irregular parts load without threading them between two uprights. It comes without a pressure gauge, so build the load up steadily and watch the part.

Does a bench press need bolting down?

Yes, arbor presses included. Fix it securely to a flat, solid, level bench before use, and make sure the bench takes the weight: from 14kg for the smallest arbor press to 105kg for the heaviest hydraulic model.

Can I top up the oil in a bench press jack?

Usually, yes. With the ram fully retracted, top up with hydraulic jack oil to the level in the manual. Then bleed out any trapped air: open the release valve, pump the handle several times and close the valve again.

How much ram stroke do I need?

Enough to push the part fully out or home in one go, with the table set close to the work. Strokes vary, for example 127mm on the YK6ECB and 180mm on the YK10B; an adjustable table or a screw extension takes up the rest.

Is there a press small enough to store under the bench?

The 1-tonne arbor press comes closest, at 14kg. Even the economy YK6ECB hydraulic press weighs 36kg, and most hydraulic models stand 855 to 1060mm tall, so plan a permanent place for one.

Is a bench press worth buying rather than paying a garage?

Often, if you press more than the odd bush. One press handles bearings, universal joints, pulleys and pins, and the arbor presses here are built for repetitive work. For a one-off, weigh the garage’s charge against a press plus the drivers you would need.