I just bought a 12 ton press from Cummins...tool sale.

When I try to press a barrell in, it bows the frome of the press..

H style press, and it bows about mid way from top to bottom.

Whats the deal?

Make sure you are pressing the barrel true and square to the trunnion . Even just a little bit off will cause all kinds of headache .

If the press arms are bowing, you must be exceeding the limits of the press which just shouldn't happen when installing a barrel.

Also, bolt together type presses are as strong as the welded "H" frame type press, but still, the arms shouldn't bow.

The barrel and front trunnion should have some type of lubricant on it, like anti-seize and then the barrel should just press in.  Perhaps the problem is with the barrel/trunnion instead of the press.  Sometimes when pressing out the barrel a burr forms from the barrel pin hole.  I always smooth out this area on both the barrel and trunnion.

It will take less pressure to install the barrel than remove it.  So check everything again before trying or breaking something.  Hope this helps and keep us informed on how things go.