Why no hydraulic-powered progressive presses?

Status
Not open for further replies.
O

oneounceload

member
Joined
Apr 24, 2008
Messages
15,707
Location
Hot and Humid FL
For reloading shotguns, most of the major players have hydraulically operated press options where either a toggle/rocker switch or a foot pedal operate the machine for both the down and up stroke.

Why do metallic presses not offer that feature? With case and bullet feeders, one could really crank out some ammo.
 
AmmoLoad, Camdex and a couple of others use electric motors for their mechanized presses, and they load a lot faster than a shotgun press.

My MEC 6000GE uses an electric motor and it works fine for the slow operation of the shotgun shell loading, as would hydraulics.

I think it's due to the electric motor being less complicated and easier to control for fast operations. When you throw in hydraulics, there is a whole other aspect to the system with the pressure system, hoses, couplers, etc. It's just easier to control them with the electric motors and some micro switches, without the hassle of the hydraulics, especially when you're loading at the rate of the metallic machines. I used to average about 1,500 rounds an hour with the AmmoLoad, and that was stopping to fill the primer column and powder hopper. Bullets were fed from tubes, and I could change tubes without stopping the machine. And that wasn't pushing it at all. The machine was capable of loading faster than that, but I didn't have any need for loading faster at the time.

At least that's my thought, having used the AmmoLoad in the past.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
I wouldn't want hydraulics if I lose feel. I need to be able to tell when something is not peachy with my press, otherwise I fear with hydraulics I'd just bull through jams and start breaking things because I can't feel the jam. It doesn't jam often but when it does, more force wouldn't help.
 
All the commercial presses are powered.

Hobby presses for handloaders come with automation accessories.

And there's no need for hydraulics, the force required is very low.
 
I wouldn't want hydraulics if I lose feel. I need to be able to tell when something is not peachy with my press, otherwise I fear with hydraulics I'd just bull through jams and start breaking things because I can't feel the jam. It doesn't jam often but when it does, more force wouldn't help.
Click to expand...

And, every so often, someone would have their hand inside the mechanism when it came down.
 
And, every so often, someone would have their hand inside the mechanism when it came down.
Click to expand...

I would be very cautious about any self powered reloading equipment!
Its nice to have that instant feedback called pain. :eek:
When it starts hurting it means your fingers are in the wrong place. If its self powered you may not be able to react fast enough stop the hurting before permanent damage is done. :scrutiny:

I will admit it, I have started operating my press and very nearly squished a finger. If it had been a self powered (electric or hydraulic) that finger may not have been the same ever again. :banghead:

A self powered reloader should have a two handed actuator switch configuration to make sure both hands are clear of the moving parts.
Better yet I'll stick to the "lever action" reloading machines. :)

KeithET
 
Iv'e come close enough to pinching my fingers in my SDB with only a half brained moron using the lever. add a motor and I'd probably be nicknamed 9 fingers by now.
 
Most automatic presses have a guard in front that covers all the moving parts. On the AmmoLoad that I operated, the machine was activated by a foot pedal, but if the guard wasn't in place, it wouldn't move. Nothing is idiot proof, but they've been building these machines for a long time, and they've had time to work out "most" of the areas where a person could stick his paws while the machine is in motion.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
Any kind of powered operation other than "human power" increases the complexity/cost/safety factors so much that it is just not worth the time and trouble for the average "hobbyist".

Inventive and mechanically inclined individuals such as JMorris (on this and other sites) have adapted/rigged/perfected? several automated operations but these are out of the realm of the practical for most of us. The technology is obviously there and has been in use for various commercial operations but it takes an exceptional hobbyist (like JMorris) to apply the concepts cheaply and effectively. YouTube has many neat film clips on various applications.

:):)
 
Did anyone see the post w/picture on reddit of a metallic case that supposedly went entirely through the middle of some guy's finger and was sticking out of both ends? It certainly looked real, but due to my cynical nature, I question the validity of it. It would've had to go right through the bone. Is there any kind of press other than a commercial one that could do that?
 
Heck I've got a few cuts from reloading in auto-mode, my left hand feeds the cases, right hand operates the lever... left hand goes to fix a case and right hand operates the lever... :uhoh:
 
Hydraulics might be nice if loading tens of thousands of rounds a day through some high speed machinery. For the hobby reloader which 99.9% of us are, maybe loading 5 or 6 hundred thru a progressive or like me loading 30 to maybe 150 rds a week there is nothing tiring about a whole lot of pressure being applied with a little leverage. Who wants all the greasy lines and connecting fittings and dirt associated with hydraulics.
 
Did anyone see the post w/picture on reddit of a metallic case that supposedly went entirely through the middle of some guy's finger and was sticking out of both ends? It certainly looked real, but due to my cynical nature, I question the validity of it. It would've had to go right through the bone. Is there any kind of press other than a commercial one that could do that?
Click to expand...

I posted the photo here. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...of-things-not-to-do-(warning-finger-destroyed)

I would have posted it here but I haven't been able to up load photos from my phone here lately.

The finger belongs to a fellow that was more of an "operator" than a reloader at a business that will remain unnamed. He lost the end of it learning the lesson to never put your hands near moving mechanical equipment. In this case an auto drive 1050.

Had he been caught up in a lathe or other similar machines, he would be dead now.

There are lots of things in life that will cause equal or more damage in everyday life. I remember a kid lost the tip of his finger when I was young jumping the chain back on the sprocket of his bicycle.

Everyone here knows to keep their finger off the trigger in the name of safety, not a lot of difference, keep your fingers out of places where they can be destroyed.


Why you don't see them?

Only Hornady sells a progressive with both case and bullet feed and you need both to follow the "no fingers" rule. The problem is that it is not a reliable enough machine to make it worth doing or they would have already done it.
 
*
Why no handgun size progressive press? A shorter stroke would be very appreciated.
Click to expand...

That exists just no need for the extra costs of hydraulic reservoirs, hoses, pumps and cylinders.


This is a mechanical one that I put together to process brass.

Click to play video.
th_VID_20130629_165943_746_zps1fffb858.jpg

Another video of a loading machine I put toghther.
th_VIDEO0114.jpg

In short no need to spend the extra money on the other "stuff" if a single motor can get the job done itself.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top