Harbor-Freight Harbor-Freight-6-Ton-A-Frame-Bench-Shop-Press-Product-Manual- Harbor-freight-6-ton-a-frame-bench-shop-press-product-manual (2023)

Read this material before using this product.

Failure to do so can result in serious injury.

SAVE THIS MANUAL.

Copyright© 1997 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved.

No portion of this manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in

any shape or form without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools.

Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally. Due to continuing

improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein.

Tools required for assembly and service may not be included.

When unpacking, make sure that the product is intact

and undamaged. If any parts are missing or broken,

please call 1-888-866-5797 as soon as possible.

Save This Manual Keep this manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly, operating,

inspection, maintenance and cleaning procedures. Write the product’s serial number in the back of the manual

near the assembly diagram (or month and year of purchase if product has no number). Keep this manual and

the receipt in a safe and dry place for future reference.

Owner’s Manual & Safety Instructions

Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com

Email our technical support at: productsupport@harborfreight.com

REV 14i

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Table of Contents

Safety ......................................................... 2

Specifications ............................................. 3

Assembly .................................................... 5

Operation .................................................... 8

Maintenance ............................................... 9

Parts List and Assembly Diagram.............. 11

Warranty .................................................... 12

WARNING SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS

This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards.

Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.

Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,

will result in death or serious injury.

Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,

could result in death or serious injury.

Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,

could result in minor or moderate injury.

Addresses practices not related to personal injury.

Specific Safety Rules

1. Keep hands away from arbor plates

and press pin during use.

2. Do not move workpiece while compressed.

3. Release load before service or maintenance.

4. Keep area under arbor plates clear. If arbor

plates rest on obstruction (i.e. bolt, debris,

etc.), it creates an uneven press, causing

excess stress and possible breakage.

5. Avoid off-center loads. Do not operate if

workpiece tilts or binds during compression.

6. STOP and release compression if you suspect

imminent structural failure. If safe, inspect

thoroughly and reposition before proceeding.

7. Do not compress springs or other elastic

objects. They could disengage hazardously.

8. Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles,

heavy-duty work gloves, and steel-toe

work boots during set up and/or use.

9. Keep bystanders out of work area.

10. Do not stand directly in front of the

press when loaded. Do not leave the

press unattended when loaded.

11. Do not operate the hydraulic ram

beyond rated capacity.

12. Inspect before every use; do not use

if parts are loose or damaged.

13. Ram service must be performed only by

qualified repair personnel. Service or

maintenance performed by unqualified

personnel could result in a risk of injury.

14. When servicing a ram, use only identical replacement

parts – refer to attached, product-specific parts list

and diagram. Follow instructions in the

“User - Maintenance Instructions” section of this

manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow

maintenance instructions may create a risk of injury.

Page 3For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797.Item 01666

15. Only use with accessories rated to handle the

forces exerted by this tool during operation. Other

accessories not designed for the forces generated

may break and forcefully launch pieces.

16. Use only with ram included with this press.

17. Industrial applications must follow

OSHA requirements.

18. This product is not a toy. Keep it

out of reach of children.

19. Maintain labels and nameplates on the

Shop Press. These carry important safety

information. If unreadable or missing, contact

Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.

20. The warnings, precautions, and instructions

discussed in this instruction manual cannot

cover all possible conditions and situations

that may occur. It must be understood by the

operator that common sense and caution are

factors which cannot be built into this product,

but must be supplied by the operator.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

Specifications

Maximum Capacity 6 Tons

(12,000 lb)

Working Distance 2" - 4"

Press Pin Diameter Ø5/8"

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Setup - Before Use

Note: For additional information regarding the parts listed in the following pages,

refer to the Parts List and Assembly Diagram near the end of this manual.

Components and Controls

Ram

Piston

Press

Apron

Press Apron

Support Pins

Press

Pin

Ram

Handle

Fill Plug

(on back)

Release

Valve

Arbor

Plates

Figure A

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Assembly Instructions

Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning of this

manual including all text under subheadings therein before set up or use of this product.

Inspect tool before use, looking for damaged, loose, and missing parts. If any problems are found,

do not use tool until repaired.

Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles, heavy-duty work gloves,

and steel-toe work boots during set up and/or use.

Note: Finger tighten all connections until assembly

is done, unless instructed otherwise.

Assemble on a flat, level, hard surface.

Use a helper when necessary.

1. Attach Back (5) and Front (9) Posts

to Foot (8) with two sets of Bolts (16),

Spring Washers (21), and Nuts (24).

Note: Make sure holes align on Back and Front Posts.

2. Repeat for the other Posts and Foot.

Back

Post (5)

Front

Post (9)

Bolt

(16)

Spring

Washer

(21)

Nut

(24)

8

Figure B

3. Attach Spreader (7) to Post assembly with

Bolt (17), Spring Washer (21) and Nut (24).

4. Repeat for other Post assembly.

Spring

Washer

(21)

Spreader

(7)

Nut

(24)

Bolt

(17)

Figure C

5. Slide Press Apron (6) over Post assemblies and

secure with Press Apron Support Pins (29).

Press

Apron

(6)

Press Apron

Support

Pins (29)

Figure D

6. Attach Press Pin Guide (14) to Lower Cross Beam (2)

with two sets of Bolts (16), Spring Washers (21)

and Nuts (24). Tighten connections securely.

Press Pin

Guide (14)

Nut

(24)

Bolt

(16)

Lower

Cross

Beam (2)

Spring

Washer

(21)

Figure E

7. Attach other Press Pin Guide to

Upper Cross Beam (4) with two sets

of Bolts (16), Spring Washers (21) and

Nuts (24). Tighten connections securely.

Bolt

(16)

Spring

Washer

(21)

Nut

(24)

Upper Cross

Beam (4)

Figure F

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8. Slide Lower Cross Beam assembly between

Post assemblies and attach with two sets of

Bolts (17), Spring Washers (21) and Nuts (24).

Bolt

(17)

Spring

Washer

(21)

Nut

(24)

Figure G

9. Attach two Header Supports (3) together

with Bolt (19), Spring Washer (23) and

Nut (28), leaving a gap for the Header.

10. Repeat with other two Header Supports.

Header

Support (3) Bolt

(19)

Spring

Washer

(23)

Nut

(28)

Figure H

11. Slide Header (1) between Header Support

assemblies and attach with two sets of Bolts (20),

Spring Washers (22) and Nuts (25).

Note: Tighten connections enough to avoid wobbling.

Nut

(25)

Spring

Washer

(22)

Bolt

(20)

Header

(1)

Figure I

Note: Use a helper for the next step.

12. Slide Upper Cross Beam assembly between Post

assemblies and, at the same time, place Header

Support assemblies outside Post assemblies.

13. Attach with two sets of Bolts (18),

Spring Washers (22) and Nuts (25).

Note: Tighten connections enough to avoid wobbling.

Bolt

(18)

Header

Support

Assembly

Upper

Cross Beam

Assembly Spring

Washer

(22)

Nut

(25)

Figure J

14. Hang Springs (10) on Bolts that

connect Header Supports.

Spring

(10)

Figure K

Page 7For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797.Item 01666

1. Attach Eye Bolts (15) to Ram Plate (11)

by threading Nuts (27) on 1/2” only.

Ram Plate

(11)

Nut

(27)

Eye Bolt

(15)

Figure L

16. Guide Press Pin through Press Pin Guides and

let Ram Plate rest on Upper Cross Beam.

17. Level and square all components, then tighten

all connections securely, except for Eye Bolts.

Press

Pin

Figure M

18. Pull up on Ram Plate and attach Eye Bolts to Springs.

19. Push Ram Piston all the way down,

then place Ram on Ram Plate.

Note: If more space is needed to

install Ram, loosen Eye Bolts.

20. When Ram is in place, tighten Eye Bolts evenly,

making sure the Ram Plate remains level.

21. Pump Ram Handle until Piston is seated firmly in

Piston Ring, then tighten Eye Bolts as needed.

22. Place Arbor Plates on Press Apron.

23. Follow instructions in

Bleeding the Ram on page 8.

Piston

Piston

Ring

Arbor

Plates

Figure N

24. Locate Shop Press on a solid, level surface,

capable of supporting the weight of the

Shop Press and the workpiece.

Page 8 For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. Item 01666

Operating Instructions

Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning of this manual

including all text under subheadings therein before set up or use of this product.

Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles, heavy-duty work gloves, and steel-toe work boots during set up and/or use.

Bleeding the Ram

IMPORTANT! Before first use, check for proper

hydraulic fluid level in the Ram. Then thoroughly

test the Ram for proper operation prior to its

actual use. If the Ram appears not to be working

properly, it may be necessary to bleed its hydraulic

system of excess air. To bleed the Ram:

1. Remove the Fill Plug.

2. Place the slot on the Ram Handle

over the Release Valve.

3. Turn the Ram Handle counterclockwise

to open the Release Valve.

4. Insert the Ram Handle into the Fulcrum, then

pump the Ram Handle quickly several times.

5. Check the Fill Hole and, if necessary,

top off with hydraulic fluid.

6. Place the slot on the Ram Handle

over the Release Valve Screw.

7. Turn the Ram Handle clockwise to

close the Release Valve.

8. Replace the Fill Plug.

9. Test the Ram several times before putting into use.

General Operating Instructions

1. Adjust the Press Apron height as necessary.

Note: The Press Apron should be in the

highest position possible with the workpiece

as close as possible to the Press Pin.

2. Place the workpiece on the Arbor Plates.

Adjust the Arbor Plates to support the

stationary part of the workpiece.

WARNING! Keep area under Arbor Plates

clear. If Arbor Plates rest on obstruction

(i.e., bolt, debris, etc.), it creates an uneven press,

causing excess stress and possible breakage.

WARNING! When pressing two items together, the

items must be lined up vertically. If not, one item

may forcefully eject itself sideways from the unit.

3. Close the Release Valve.

4. Pump the Ram Handle until Press Pin

contacts the workpiece. Continue to pump

the Ram Handle to press the workpiece.

5. After work is completed, be careful when

releasing Jack pressure. Slowly open the

Release Valve, allowing the Ram Plate to rise.

6. WARNING! During the release process the

Ram may rise quickly. Stay clear.

7. Store Shop Press out of reach of children.

Page 9For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797.Item 01666

User-Maintenance Instructions

Procedures not specifically explained in this manual must

be performed only by a qualified technician.

TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY FROM TOOL FAILURE:

Do not use damaged equipment. If abnormal noise or vibration occurs, have the

problem corrected before further use.

1. Before each use, inspect the general condition of the

Shop Press and Ram. Check for broken, cracked, or

bent parts, loose or missing parts, and any condition

that may affect the proper operation of the product. If

a problem occurs, have the problem corrected before

further use.

Do not use damaged equipment.

2. Before each use, thoroughly test the Ram for

proper operation prior to its actual use. If the

Ram appears not to be working properly, follow

instructions in Bleeding the Ram on page 8.

3. Change the hydraulic fluid at least once every

three years. To change the hydraulic fluid:

a. With the Ram fully lowered, unhook the

Springs from the Eye Bolts, then remove

the Ram from the Ram Plate.

b. Remove the Filler Plug.

c. Tip the Ram to allow the old hydraulic fluid to drain

out of the unit completely, and dispose of the old

hydraulic fluid in accordance with local regulations.

d. Completely fill the unit with a high quality

hydraulic fluid (not included) until the fluid

just begins to run out of the Fill Hole.

e. Reinstall the Filler Plug.

f. Clean with a clean cloth using a

detergent or mild solvent.

g. Replace the Ram onto the Ram Plate.

Page 10 For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. Item 01666

Troubleshooting

TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY:

Use caution when troubleshooting a malfunctioning ram.

Completely resolve all problems before use. If the solutions presented in the

Troubleshooting guide do not solve the problem, have a qualified technician inspect and repair the ram before use.

After the ram is repaired: Test it carefully without a load by raising it and lowering it fully, checking for proper

operation, BEFORE RETURNING THE RAM TO OPERATION.

DO NOT USE A DAMAGED OR MALFUNCTIONING RAM!

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS

PROBABLE SOLUTION

(Make certain that the jack is not supporting

a load while attempting a solution.)

Pump

stroke feels

spongy

Piston will

not lift all

the way

Handle

moves up

when ram

is under

load

Fluid

leaking

from filler

plug

Check that Release Valve is closed fully.

X

Valves may be blocked and may not

close fully. To flush the valves:

1. Lower the piston and securely close the Release Valve.

2. Manually lift the piston several inches.

3. Open the release valve and force the

piston down as quickly as possible.

X X

Ram may be low on fluid. Check the

fluid level and refill if needed.

Ram may require bleeding - see instructions on page 8.

XUnit may have too much hydraulic fluid inside,

check fluid level and adjust if needed.

Record Product’s Serial Number Here:

Note: If product has no serial number, record month and year of purchase instead.

Note: Some parts are listed and shown for illustration purposes only,

and are not available individually as replacement parts.

Page 11For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797.Item 01666

Parts List and Assembly Diagram

Parts List

Part Description Qty

1 Header 1

2 Lower Cross Beam 1

3 Header Support 4

4 Upper Cross Beam 1

5 Back Post 2

6Press Apron 1

7 Spreader 1

8 Foot 2

9 Front Post 2

10 Springs 2

11 Ram Plate 1

12 Ram 1

13 Ram Handle 1

14 Press Pin Guide 2

15 Eye Bolt 2

Part Description Qty

16 Bolt (M10x20) 8

17 Bolt (M10x100) 4

18 Bolt (M12x110) 2

19 Bolt (M6x40) 2

20 Bolt (M12x45) 2

21 Spring Washer (M10) 12

22 Spring Washer (M12) 4

23 Spring Washer (M6) 2

24 Nut (M10) 12

25 Nut (M12) 4

26 Arbor Plate 2

27 Nut 8 2

28 Nut 6 2

29 Press Apron Support Pin 2

Assembly Diagram

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

16

17

17

18

19 20

21

21

21

21

22

22

23

24

24

24

24

25

25

26

27

28

29

14

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY

THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDED THE PARTS LIST AND ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM

IN THIS DOCUMENT AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR

MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND TO THE BUYER THAT HE OR SHE IS

QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT, OR THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO REPLACE

ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT. IN FACT, THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR EXPRESSLY

STATES THAT ALL REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACEMENTS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY CERTIFIED AND

LICENSED TECHNICIANS, AND NOT BY THE BUYER. THE BUYER ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY

ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER REPAIRS TO THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT OR REPLACEMENT PARTS

THERETO, OR ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER INSTALLATION OF REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO.

Limited 90 Day Warranty

Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality and durability standards,

and warrants to the original purchaser that this product is free from defects in materials and workmanship for the

period of 90 days from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to damage due directly or indirectly,

to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations outside our facilities, criminal activity, improper

installation, normal wear and tear, or to lack of maintenance. We shall in no event be liable for death, injuries

to persons or property, or for incidental, contingent, special or consequential damages arising from the use of

our product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the

above limitation of exclusion may not apply to you. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER

WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.

To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with transportation charges

prepaid. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise.

If our inspection verifies the defect, we will either repair or replace the product at our election or we may

elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will

return repaired products at our expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that the defect resulted

from causes not within the scope of our warranty, then you must bear the cost of returning the product.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

3491 Mission Oaks Blvd. • PO Box 6009 • Camarillo, CA 93011 • 1-888-866-5797