Clarke Strong-Arm CSA20F Instruction Manual

WARNING: Read these instructions before using the machine
OPERATION & MAINTENANCE
INSTRUCTIONS
GC0913
20 TONNE HYDRAULIC PRESS
MODEL NO: CSA20F
PART NO: 7614055

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Parts & Service: 020 8988 7400 / E-mail: [e-mail] or Servi[email protected]
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing this CLARKE 20 Tonne Hydraulic Press.
Before attempting to operate the machine, it is essential that you read this
manual thoroughly and carefully follow all instructions given. In doing so you
will ensure the safety of yourself and that of others around you, and you can
also look forward to the press giving you long and satisfactory service.
GUARANTEE
This CLARKE product is guaranteed against faulty manufacture for a period of
12 months from the date of purchase. Please keep your receipt as proof of
purchase.
This guarantee is invalid if the product is found to have been abused or
tampered with in any way, or not used for the purpose for which it was
intended.
Faulty goods should be returned to their place of purchase, no product can
be returned to us without prior permission.
This guarantee does not effect your statutory rights.

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Parts & Service: 020 8988 7400 / E-mail: [e-mail] or [email protected]
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1. During assembly or if the press is moved, always call for the help of an
assistant, do not manhandle single-handedly.
2. Ensure the press is bolted down onto a solid, flat surface.
3. Ensure the press is located on firm level ground with adequate light.
4. Before applying a load, ensure all press bed support pins are fully
engaged.
5. Ensure that hydraulic hoses and couplings are completely sound.
6. Before use, always ensure the workpiece is firmly secure and stable
7. Always clean spills of hydraulic oil immediately as this can be dangerous in
a workshop environment.
8. Do not exceed the rated capacity of the press.
9. Do not allow any person who is inexperienced in the use of hydraulic
presses, to use the press unless they are under direct supervision.
10. Do not allow anyone to work directly in front of the press when it is in use.
11. Never tamper with the press. The safety valve is calibrated and sealed at
the factory; do not attempt to change the setting.
12. Use only the recommended hydraulic oil.
13. Components of this press are specially designed to withstand the rated
capacity. Do not substitute bolts, pins, or any other components.
14. Always apply the load under the centre of the ram. Offset loads can
damage the ram or ram mount and may cause the work piece to eject.
15. Before operating, check for signs of cracked welds, bent bed pins, loose or
missing bolts, or any other structural damage. Do not operate if any of
these conditions exist. Have repairs made only by authorised service
centre.
16. Remove load from press bed before attempting to adjust bed height.
17. Press only on a work piece supported by the press bed.
18. When using accessories such as arbor plates, be certain they are centered
below the ram and are in full contact with the bed.
19. Parts being pressed may splinter, shatter, or be ejected from the press. Due
to varied applications, it is your responsibility to always use adequate
guards, wear eye protection and protective clothing when operating this
press.

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Parts & Service: 020 8988 7400 / E-mail: [e-mail] or Servi[email protected]
20. Keep hands and fingers away from parts that may pinch and shift.
21. Failure to heed these warnings may result in damage to the equipment, or
failure resulting in property damage, personal, or even fatal injury.
22. DO NOT use extension tubes on the pump handle. Excessive effort can
cause damage and/or accidents.
UNPACKING
Ensure the press and its components suffered no damage during transit and
that all components are present. Should any loss or damage become
apparent, please contact your CLARKE dealer immediately
INVENTORY
• 1xFrame
• 2 x Base Supports
• 4 x Stay Bars
• 1xRam
• 1 x Ram Baseplate
• 1xPump
• 1 x Pump Handle
• 1 x Hose Assembly (attached to frame)
• 1 x Pressure Gauge
• 1 x Press Bed (Frame)
• 2 x Bed Support Pins with 4 x retaining spring clips
• 2 x Bed blocks (V-blocks)
• 1 x Instruction Manual
• 1 x Fixing Kit (containing bolts, flat washer, spring washers & nuts,
compression springs & hydraulic fittings).
TOOLS REQUIRED
• Open spanners (10, 12, 17, 19, 22, 27 & 29 mm) or an adjustable wrench
• PTFEtape

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Parts & Service: 020 8988 7400 / E-mail: [e-mail] or [email protected]
ASSEMBLY
IMPORTANT: Due to the weight of the press components, we recommend
that you get assistance during assembly.
IMPORTANT: We strongly recommend that the press be firmly secured to a
firm and level floor using expansion bolts (not supplied). Holes are provided
in the base supports for this purpose.
IMPORTANT: Do not locate your press where it will be open to the elements,
as severe weather conditions will damage the hydraulic parts.
1. With the help of an assistant,
attach the feet to the frame using
the nuts, bolts and washers.
2. Add the stay bars to each side
and bolt into place.
3. Lift the frame assembly upright
and manoeuvre it to its intended
location in the workshop.
4. With the help of an assistant, install
the ram support carriage into the
upper frame section by
assembling the baseplate, the
two axles and the four sprung
locking bolts/springs as shown in
Fig 2.
5. Tighten the locking bolts loosely so
that the carriage can still move to
and fro along the frame.
6. The hydraulic hoses must be
correctly installed within the
frame. Check that both the hoses
pass through the supporting rings
and that the T-connector sits
upright when the connecting
parts are fitted to the supporting
bracket but do not tighten at this
stage.

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Parts & Service: 020 8988 7400 / E-mail: [e-mail] or Servi[email protected]
7. Fit the pressure gauge to the
connecting nut, sealing the
thread with PTFE tape.Check the
gauge is upright before tightening
the nut with a 19 mm spanner.
8. Make a small hole in the pressure
gauge safety bung with a short
pin or nail before use.
• Do not use a long nail as you may
damage the internal components
of the gauge.
9. Lower the ram through the hole in
the moving carriage and secure
in position using the locking collar.
10. Connect the hydraulic hose to the
ram cylinder, sealing the joint with
PTFE tape, and tighten using two
open spanners.

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Parts & Service: 020 8988 7400 / E-mail: [e-mail] or [email protected]
11. Bolt the hydraulic pump into
position on the side of the frame
using the fixing bolts, nuts and
washers.
12. Ensuring that the hydraulic hose
passes through the retaining loop
on the frame, unfasten the
protective hose cap and screw
the hose onto the threaded
connection of the hydraulic
pump.
13. We recommend sealing the
thread with PTFE tape. Take care
not to let any oil escape while
connecting the hose.
14. Insert the bed support pins into
the holes in the frame side
supports at a height of your
choosing. Secure them in position
using the spring clips.
15. Lift the bed frame into position on
the pins.
IMPORTANT: Due to the weight of the
bed, we recommend that you get
assistance from another person.
ADDING A MANDREL SET
A mandrel set (including storage
bracket and pressure plate) is not
supplied with the press but is
available as Clarke part no 7615062.
1. Bolt the mandrel storage bracket
to the side of the frame using the
bolts supplied.
2. Store the mandrels (including the
adaptor) in their positions on the
storage bracket.

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PREPARATION FOR USE
1. Insert the pump handle into the
pump actuating lever.
2. Purge any air from the system by
opening the release valve
(turning the control knob anti-
clockwise) and pumping several
full strokes to eliminate any air
bubbles. Close the valve using the
control knob.
POSITIONING THE BED
IMPORTANT: Due to the weight of the bed, we recommend that you get
assistance from another person when adjusting the bed height.
1. Position the bed at the desired height, so that it will be as close as possible
to the ram when the workpiece is mounted on it.
2. Raise one side of the bed and insert a supporting pin into the next locating
hole.
3. Repeat at the other end to level the bed.
4. Repeat until the bed is at the desired height, with the supporting pins held
by the spring clips.
POSITIONING THE RAM
1. Position the ram as required by
sliding the carriage along the
cross-beam. Lock it in a static
position with the four sprung
locking bolts.
• Always position the ram directly
above the workpiece.
CAUTION: THE BED HEIGHT SHOULD ONLY BE RAISED OR LOWERED ONE
HOLE AT A TIME, WORKING ALTERNATELY FROM ONE SIDE AND THEN THE
OTHER, FAILURE TO WORK IN THIS WAY MAY CAUSE THE BED TO FALL
AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE OPERATOR.

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Parts & Service: 020 8988 7400 / E-mail: [e-mail] or [email protected]
FITTING THE MANDRELS
If a set of mandrels is available, any
one may be connected to the end
of the ram using the adaptor
supplied.
Alternatively, the basic pressure cap
can be fitted as shown. Secure the
pressure cap by tightening the grub
screw with a suitable hexagonal key.
To install a mandrel, the adaptor must
be fitted instead of the pressure cap.
Secure the adaptor by tightening the
grub screw with a suitable hexagonal
key as previous.
Select your mandrel depending
upon the size of the workpiece
bearing surface.
The mandrel can then be pushed
into the adaptor where the built-in
spring clip will hold it in place.
Store the mandrels in their positions
on the storage bracket when not in
use.
POSITIONING THE BED BLOCKS
The bed blocks can be placed on
the bed with either the flat face or
the V-supports facing upwards.
They are prevented from slipping out
of position by the retaining pins which
drop down within the confines of the
bed side members.
Check all parts are secure and
correctly aligned before using the
press.

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OPERATION
1. Place the workpiece on the bed. It must be completely stable and
supported by packing or shims where required. Steel pressing plates are
supplied, which locate on the bed. Place the workpiece on a combination
of these to give it stability.
NOTE: Any packing pieces or shims used MUST be capable of
withstanding the pressure that will be brought to bear, and MUST
be of sufficient size with sufficient surface area, so as to avoid the
possibility of slipping or springing out. Mating surfaces MUST be
horizontal so that the force being exerted will NOT be at an angle.
2. Close the release valve by turning
it clockwise until tightly closed.
3. Pump the handle to bring the ram
very lightly into contact with the
workpiece.
4. Manoeuvre the workpiece or slide
the ram to one side so that the
desired point of contact is directly
beneath the centre of the ram.
5. When satisfied that the workpiece
is correctly aligned and is completely stable in that position, slowly pump
the handle so that the ram begins to exert pressure on the workpiece.
Continue to pump the handle whilst standing to the side. Do NOT stand
directly in front of the work, and constantly monitor the process, ensuring
the ram and work remain completely in line and there is no risk of slipping.
6. When the process is complete, turn the release valve anticlockwise in small
increments to release ram pressure and allow removal of the workpiece.
CAUTION: DO NOT POINT LOAD THESE ACCESSORIES AS THEY ARE NOT
DESIGNED TO TAKE THE FULL FORCE OF THE RAM IN ONE SPOT. ENSURE
THEY ARE ADEQUATELY SUPPORTED.
WARNING: NEVER USE EXTENSIONS TO THE RAM PUMPING HANDLE