Crimping machine

A crimping machine comprising:

• an inner cylinder member having forward and rearward ends and having a central passageway;
• die means movably mounted at the front portion of said inner member to close and open;
• an outer piston member disposed about said inner member and movable forwardly and rearwardly with respect to said inner member, said outer member having a forward portion coupled to said die means to force said die means toward a closed configuration when said outer member moves in a forward direction;
• said inner member having an outwardly-extending flange sealed to the inside of said outer member, and said outer member having an inwardly-extending forward portion sealed to the outside of said inner member forward of said flange, to form a forward hydraulic chamber;
• a ring disposed around said inner member rearwardly of said flange, said ring sealed to the outer surface of said inner member and the inner surface of said outer member, to form a rearward hydraulic chamber;
• means for coupling ring to said outer member to allow said ring to apply rearward force to said outer member;
• and
• means for coupling hydraulic fluid to said forward hydraulic chamber to pressurize said hydraulic chamber and move said outer member forwardly, and for coupling hydraulic fluid to said rearward hydraulic chamber to pressure said rearward hydraulic chamber and move said ring and outer member rearwardly.