Abstract: A hydraulic press includes long stroke piston cylinder assemblies to drive a movable platen along four pull down power rods between an upper open position and a lower reference position immediately adjacent to and parallel with the stationary platen, a wedge ring clamp mechanism selectively to lock the movable platen to the four pull down power rods at either the upper or lower reference positions, and short stroke piston cylinder assemblies operative reciprocally axially to drive the four pull down power rods when the upper platen is locked thereon to move said locked upper platen between said reference position and a closed position in which the two platens are loaded under high forming pressure.