Abstract: An ice block press device (10). The press (10) includes a compression chamber (12) into which raw ice particles (20) are fed through an opening (82). A ram (16) is employed to urge ice particles (20) deposited through an input chute (18), through the opening (82) into the compression chamber (12). The ram (16) cyclically reciprocates to push the particles (20) into the chamber (12). As additional amounts of raw ice are urged into the chamber (12), a compacted volume of accumulated ice begins to extend through the opening (82) outside the chamber (12). When this occurs, the ram (16) is precluded from achieving its fully extended position. Upon sensing this condition, a knife (80) is driven to cut the block to a uniform length.