How to Buy a Used Forging Press
Buying a used forging press starts with defining tonnage, stroke, shut height, tooling and application requirements, then sourcing machines that match those limits. Inspect the press in person or by video, negotiate price and terms, and arrange dismantling, loading and transport before commissioning. Skipping the requirements step first is the most common costly mistake.
Published: 22 Jun 2026 · Updated: 21 Jul 2026
What Requirements Should You Define First?
Nominal force
State the required pressing force in tonnes. For hot forging, account for scale and flash; the nominal force of the press should exceed the calculated forming force by 25-40%.
Stroke and shut height
Confirm minimum stroke length and shut height for your die set. Measure your existing tooling or calculate from part geometry before you search.
Bolster and die dimensions
Know the bolster area, T-slot pattern, and knockout requirements. A press with the wrong bolster size means tooling redesign.
Production rate
Determine required strokes per minute. Mechanical presses run faster than hydraulic; knuckle joint presses are suited to short-stroke high-speed work.
How Do You Find the Right Machine?
Work with a specialist dealer
A dealer who focuses on forging equipment stocks known machines, provides accurate technical data, and can answer questions about specific models and their suitability for your application. General machinery brokers and online marketplaces rarely carry forging presses as a specialty and offer limited support.
Search by manufacturer and model
If you know which model suits your process, search by brand and model number. Barnaul, TMP Voronezh, Massey, and Smeral presses appear regularly on the European market. TRIGA specialises in exactly these machines.
Filter by press type and tonnage
If you have a force requirement but no model preference, narrow the search by press type and nominal force. Mechanical presses suit high-volume hot forging; hydraulic presses handle complex geometry and long-stroke work; knuckle-joint presses are built for precise short-stroke operations.
Act early on availability
Good forging presses at the right price sell. Once you identify a candidate, establish contact. Stock changes while internal approvals take time.
What Technical Documentation Should You Request?
Nameplate data
Ask for a photo of the nameplate: manufacturer, model, year, nominal force, shut height, strokes per minute. This confirms the machine matches the listing specification.
Photos and video
Request photos of the frame, clutch, control panel, and die area. A short video of the press running under no load shows brake and clutch condition.
Maintenance records
Ask what maintenance history is available. On older Soviet-era equipment, complete service records rarely survive. Current mechanical condition, established by inspection, is the reliable baseline.
Available manuals
Original technical manuals simplify commissioning. Note language and completeness.
What Should You Inspect Before You Commit?
In-person visit
Travel to the machine before signing. Photos miss hairline cracks, oil leaks, and bearing noise.
Under-power test
If the press is electrically connected, ask the seller to run it. TRIGA can arrange to demonstrate the machine under power at its current location. A live run shows clutch engagement, brake stopping angle, and slide behaviour more clearly than any static inspection.
Use a checklist
Work through frame, clutch, brake, guides, hydraulics, electrics, and documentation systematically. A written inspection checklist reduces the risk of missing a critical point.
Inspection visit
If you cannot travel to the machine, we provide a detailed photo and video report. Send your own technician or inspector; we take visits at any agreed time with no access restrictions.
How Do You Negotiate and Structure the Deal?
Price basis
Clarify whether the price includes dismantling, loading, and transport or is ex-works. The difference can be 15–30% of machine value on heavy presses.
Payment terms
Common arrangements include a deposit to hold the machine with the balance due before loading, or a single payment once both parties are ready. Buyer and seller agree on the structure before signing.
Condition transparency
TRIGA discloses all known defects and condition details before the sale. We sell machines as found; what we know, we tell you. An in-person or video visit is the most reliable way to complete your own assessment.
Currency and invoicing
Agree on EUR or PLN. Confirm the seller can issue a VAT invoice with the correct HS code for customs clearance.
How Do You Plan Dismantling and Logistics?
Dismantling
Large forging presses are bolted to foundations and require disassembly into sections for transport. Confirm whether the seller handles it or you arrange it.
Loading
Cranes and flatbed trucks are needed for presses above 100 tonnes of machine weight. Confirm crane capacity at the seller's site.
Transport documents
For international shipment within the EU, a CMR waybill is standard. For sea freight outside the EU, a Bill of Lading is required along with export customs clearance.
Foundation at destination
Prepare the foundation before the press arrives. Anchor bolt positions and pit dimensions must match the press drawings.
How Do You Commission and Start Production?
Mechanical check
Before first power-on, check all lubrication points, oil levels, and pneumatic/hydraulic pressures against specification.
Safety test
Test all guards, interlocks, two-hand controls, and emergency stop before any personnel are near the press in operation.
Die trial
Run a trial with scrap material before committing to production tooling. Check part dimensions and die alignment.
Operator training
Ensure operators are trained on the specific press model, not just on forging presses in general. Soviet-era controls differ from modern PLC-based systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
From first contact to machine running at your site: 4-12 weeks is typical. Inspection, negotiation, and logistics each take time. Foundation preparation at your site is often the longest step.
There is no fixed price list. Value depends on tonnage, brand, year, condition, completeness, documentation and logistics; see the forging press price guide for the full breakdown of pricing factors, then send your requirements for an individual quote.
Yes. TRIGA provides a detailed photo and video report for remote buyers. To inspect in person, visit or send your own technician; we take appointments at any agreed time.
Hot forging presses typically fall under HS 8462.10 (forging or die-stamping machines). Confirm with your customs broker for the specific model and destination country.
CE is required for presses placed on the market or put into service within the EU for the first time after 1995. A press already in EU service before that date is not automatically required to carry CE. Consult a machinery safety expert for your specific situation.
We sell the machine and can coordinate dismantling and loading at the machine's location. For transport to your site, we work with specialist heavy haulage companies and can connect you with logistics providers.
For spare parts, contact the original manufacturer's successor or specialist suppliers. TRIGA sells presses as found and does not include post-sale technical support, but we can advise on sourcing parts from our network.
Looking for a specific machine?
Send us your specifications and we will advise on availability, inspection options and delivery.