Abstract: A hydraulic press is disclosed for smoothing sheet metal workpieces. A carrier plate is longitudinally moved through the press frame by a motorized conveyor linkage. The press contains a press ram which only moves laterally and not longitudinally with respect to the workpiece conveyed by the carrier plate. The ram is mounted so that its lateral movement above the workpiece is not restricted and the ram can be moved to a position outward of the lateral edges of a work table on which the workpiece is positioned. Therefore, pressure can be applied to any point on the sheet metal workpiece and the loading and unloading of such workpiece is facilitated. Additionally, the press is provided with a detachable connecting plate which structurally supports the ram mounting assembly but can be easily removed to facilitate ram removal for maintenance or exchange purposes.