The hydraulic reservoir - fitted with motor, pump, valves and cooler - is installed above the ram stiffener to be highly accessible. For safe operation, the shearing cycle is controlled by a double solenoid valve, while a single solenoid valve controls the holddown clamps. An automatic sequence valve will not allow the shear to cycle until holddown pressure is applied.

In addition, the system has a safety hydraulic relief valve in the manifold which protects the shear against overload. The valve is set to shunt hydraulic fluid to the tank if the blade is unable to shear the plate.

When the shear is running, the fluid is filtered through a suction screen inside the reservoir and through a micronic filter mounted on the tank top giving continuous filtration. The two main hydraulic cylinders are made of honed seamless tubing, and mated with high quality chrome plated cylinder rods for minimum service.

Hydraulically-powered holddown clamps, made of induction hardened and chrome-plated cylinder rods, are spaced on 8" centers along the entire cutting length of the shear. Close spacing provides sufficient force to prevent movement of materials, as well as twisting or bulging of light gauge metals between the holddowns during the shearing process.