Vertical Hydraulic Hose Crimper
The only vertical hydraulic hose crimper designed for 90° elbows and bent tubes. Open-column design lets hydraulic assemblies pass through horizontally — no clearance limits.
What Is a Vertical Hydraulic Hose Crimper?
A vertical hydraulic hose crimper features an open-column frame where the crimping head sits at the top. Unlike horizontal bench-top crimpers, the open design allows long bent tubes and 90° elbow fittings to pass through horizontally — no side walls to block the workpiece.
Vertical crimpers were developed specifically for the North American market, where hydraulic assemblies with pre-bent tubes and complex routing are common in mobile equipment. The open-column design solved the #1 complaint about bench-top models: “I can’t fit my 90° fitting in there.”
Key Design Advantages
- Open column: Pressure cylinder is vertical, die opening faces up. Workpiece passes horizontally through the frame. No side walls block long or bent assemblies.
- Adjustable pressure column: The rear column slides horizontally to accommodate different tube lengths. Lock in position for repeated crimps.
- Compact footprint: 37 × 42 cm base — fits on any workbench.
Source: Hydraulic Press — Wikipedia
How a Vertical Crimper Works
Slide the pressure column to fit the tube length → Install die → Place assembly in die opening → Start motor → Vertical piston drives die segments closed → Measure crimp diameter → Retract.
US18 vs US20 Specifications
| Parameter | US18 | US20 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Force | 62 ton | 62 ton |
| Hose Range | up to 1¼” 6SP | up to 1¼” 6SP |
| Motor | 0.75 kW | 0.75 kW |
| Voltage | 110–440V | 110–440V |
| Weight | 80 kg | 80 kg |
| Dies Included | 10 (US18 series) | 12 (US20 series) |
| Die Length | 55 mm | 55 mm |
US18 vs US20
US18 — 13 Die Positions
10 dies included. Standard hydraulic assemblies up to 1¼” 6SP. North America’s most popular vertical model.
62 ton 10 dies
US20 — 14 Die Positions
12 dies included. Covers larger sizes (US20/45, US20/52). For shops that also crimp larger industrial fittings.
62 ton 12 diesCommon Problems — Solved
“My bench-top crimper can’t fit 90° elbow fittings”
That’s exactly what vertical crimpers solve. The open-column design lets bent tubes and elbows pass through horizontally. No height or side clearance limits.
Source: Top Reddit complaint about bench-top crimpers
“Can I crimp long pre-assembled tubes?”
Yes. The adjustable pressure column slides to accommodate tubes up to ~500 mm between supports. Longer tubes can overhang the frame — the crimping zone is only 55 mm wide.
Source: Mobile equipment repair shops
“Is 62 ton enough for my work?”
62 ton handles up to 1¼” 6SP (6-wire spiral) hose. This covers the majority of mobile equipment: excavators, tractors, trucks, skid steers. For 2″+ hose, you need a 200+ ton horizontal model.
Source: Industry specification data
Tube marking after crimping
Slight die marks on the ferrule are normal and don’t affect performance. If marks are deep or uneven, check die alignment and cone surface condition.
Source: Baidu Baike — 扣压机
Vertical vs Horizontal (Bench-Top) Crimper
| Factor | Vertical | Horizontal (Bench-Top) |
|---|---|---|
| 90° Elbow Clearance | ✅ Open column | ❌ Limited by frame |
| Long Tube Handling | ✅ Passes through | ❌ Blocked by frame |
| Max Force | 62 ton | 80–830 ton |
| Max Hose | 1¼” 6SP | 6″+ |
| Footprint | 37 × 42 cm | 50 × 80 cm+ |
| Cost | $2,000–3,500 | $2,000–20,000 |
| Best For | Bent tubes, elbows, mobile equipment | Straight assemblies, high volume |
Many shops own both: a vertical for elbow and bent-tube work, and a horizontal electric for straight high-volume crimping.
Where a Vertical Hydraulic Hose Crimper Is Essential

🚜 Tractor & Agricultural
Hydraulic tubes with 90° bends are standard on tractors and harvesters. A vertical hydraulic hose crimper handles them without modification.

🚛 Truck & Bus
Brake line and steering tube assemblies with pre-bent sections. The open-column design fits any tube configuration.

🔧 Mobile Equipment Dealer
Service center for skid steers, backhoes, and compact loaders. The US18 is the standard in North American equipment dealerships.

⛏️ Mining Equipment
Underground and surface mining machines with complex hydraulic routing. Open-column access for pre-assembled lines.

🏭 Workshop Production
Low-to-mid volume assembly of bent-tube hydraulic lines. 20–50 crimps/day with repeatable quality.

🌲 Forestry Equipment
Harvesters and forwarders with tight hydraulic routing. 90° elbow fittings are the norm in forestry machinery.
How to Choose a Vertical Hydraulic Hose Crimper
Need 90° elbow clearance? → Vertical is the only option. No horizontal crimper can match it.
Die range? Standard sizes → US18 | Need up to US20/52 → US20
Market? North America → US18/US20 is the industry standard for vertical crimping.
Related Guides
Hydraulic Hose Fittings Types Guide
SAE, DIN, JIC, BSP standards and how they affect die selection for vertical and horizontal crimpers.
Read GuideHow to Crimp 90° Elbow Fittings
Step-by-step guide for crimping bent-tube and elbow assemblies — where vertical crimpers excel.
Read GuideAlso see: Electric Hydraulic Crimper Hub | Manual Hydraulic Hose Crimper Hub
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose a vertical over a horizontal crimper?
If you work with bent tubes, 90° elbows, or long pre-assembled hydraulic lines, the open-column design is the only way to fit the workpiece. Horizontal bench-top crimpers have side walls that block these assemblies.
What’s the maximum tube length?
The adjustable column handles ~500 mm between supports. Longer tubes can overhang freely — the crimping zone is only 55 mm wide.
Can US18 handle 6-wire spiral hose?
Yes, up to 1¼” 6SP. That’s the limit at 62 ton. For larger 6SP sizes, use a P32A or P32D horizontal model.
Is the US18 suitable for production?
It’s designed for low-to-mid volume (20–50 crimps/day). For high-volume production, a P32A auto-return is faster — but it can’t handle 90° elbows.
Need to Crimp 90° Elbows?
TRC US18 and US20 vertical crimpers. Open-column design, 110–440V, CE certified. The standard for bent-tube and elbow assemblies.
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