Abstract: In a machine press having a lower and an upper tool carrier, a hydraulic drive acting on the upper tool carrier comprises at least one closed hydraulic drive system that can be switched between rapid motion and press motion, the drive system having at least one hydraulic cylinder piston unit. The hydraulic liquid of the at least one hydraulic drive system is stored in a pressure accumulator fanning the storage container, supplying the entire associated hydraulic drive system. permanently with at least a base pressure above the ambient pressure. There is no hydraulic connection whatsoever between the working chamber on the piston rod side and the working chamber on the piston side of at least one hydraulic cylinder piston unit. The upper tool carrier is pre-stressed into its upper position by a spring unit.