Abstract: A press has a fixed platen, a movable platen displaceable toward and away from the fixed platen, a plurality of low-pressure cylinders braced against the movable platen and pressurizable to move it toward the fixed platen, and a plurality of medium-pressure cylinders braced against the movable platen and pressurizable to move it toward the fixed platen. A low-pressure accumulator holding a body of hydraulic fluid and a head of nitrogen and a medium-pressure accumulator holding a body of hydraulic fluid and a head of nitrogen are connected via respective conduits with the low- and medium-pressure cylinders. a nitrogen supply connects the accumulators above the respective fluid bodies together in a closed system. A controller feeds the fluid therefrom to the respective cylinders.