Abstract: A press has two pressure levers connected with pressure plates which can be moved against one another by a driving motor. A control device acts upon the driving motor and permits different sequences of movement of the pressure levers during the pressing operation according to different operating programs. An operating program is provided for crushing cans and containers and another operating program is provided for extracting juice. In order to avoid faulty operations, the pressure plates are constructed for receiving different mounts for the various operating modes. At least one pressure plate is connected with a sensor which detects the type of mount and reports it to the control device. Despite an expanded application range, the operating of the press is simple because, for starting both pressing operations, the equipment operator actuates only one starting switch, the selecting of the operating programs taking place automatically, which ensures a high safety standard.