Abstract: The connecting rod cracking machine has a split mandrel with a lower jaw and an upper jaw. A cylindrical bore in one of the jaws receives a piston connected to the other jaw. A fluid supply passage supplies fluid under pressure to the cylindrical bore. A plurality of drain passages connect the cylindrical bore to a sump. The drain passages are closed when the piston is retracted into the bore. The drain passages are simultaneously opened upon the piston moving a fixed distance from the retracted position.