Hardinge Conquest H51
Key Specifications
X Travel
Z Travel
Max Turn Length
max turning diameter
bar capacity
main spindle speed
Overview
The Hardinge Conquest H51 is a mid-size CNC turning center that brings Hardinge's legendary precision to a larger work envelope than the company's traditional small-parts machines. With a 20 HP, 5,000 RPM A2-6 main spindle and 2-inch bar capacity, the H51 bridges the gap between Hardinge's compact collet lathes and full-size production turning centers. The collet-ready spindle design — a Hardinge hallmark — seats collets directly in the spindle bore without adapters, delivering enhanced gripping power and spindle accuracy.
The work envelope provides 312 mm (12.3 in) maximum turning diameter and 648 mm (25.5 in) maximum turning length, with X-axis travel of 171 mm (6.75 in) and Z-axis travel of 581 mm (22.87 in). The 12-station turret offers half-station indexing for up to 24 tool positions, with a station-to-station index time of just 0.23 seconds. This fast indexing capability makes the H51 competitive for production work where tool changes impact cycle time. Rapid traverse rates of 16 m/min (630 IPM) on both axes are adequate for the machine's work envelope.
Available with Fanuc, Siemens, or Mitsubishi CNC controls, the H51 offers flexibility that many competitors don't match. Standard features include through-tool coolant, bar feed and chip conveyor interfaces, rigid tapping, and machine crash protection. The machine weighs approximately 6,804 kg (15,000 lb), reflecting the substantial casting and spindle assembly required for Hardinge-level precision in this size class.
New machines typically price between $100,000 and $175,000 depending on control choice and options. The Conquest H51 competes with the Haas ST-20, Mazak Quick Turn 200, and Okuma GENOS L3000-e in the mid-range CNC lathe segment. The H51 is particularly valued in shops that already run Hardinge collet systems and need a larger-capacity machine within the same ecosystem. Specs sourced from Hardinge published data and dealer documentation.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Turning Diameter | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Max Turning Length | 648 mm (25.5 in) |
| Bar Capacity | 51 mm (2.0 in) |
| X-Axis Travel | 171 mm (6.75 in) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 581 mm (22.87 in) |
| Main Spindle Speed | 5,000 RPM |
| Main Spindle Power | 15 kW (20 hp) |
| Main Spindle Nose | A2-6 |
| Chuck Size | 8 in |
| Turret Stations | 12 (half-index to 24 positions) |
| Turret Index Time | 0.23 sec (station to station) |
| Rapid Traverse X Z | 16 m/min (630 ipm) |
| Coolant Tank Capacity | 151 L (40 gal) |
| CNC Control | Fanuc 0iD, Siemens 840D, or Mitsubishi M720V |
| Machine Weight | 6,804 kg (15,000 lb) |
Specifications sourced from hardinge.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Collet-ready spindle design allows collets to seat directly without spindle adapters, enhancing gripping power and accuracy for precision bar work
- 12-station turret with half-index capability effectively provides 24 tool positions, reducing setup time for complex multi-tool programs
- 0.23-second station-to-station turret index time is among the fastest in this machine class, reducing non-cutting time in production
- Choice of Fanuc, Siemens, or Mitsubishi CNC controls gives shops flexibility to match their existing control platform and operator expertise
- Through-tool coolant and bar feed interface are standard, not extra-cost options, reducing the total cost of a production-ready installation
- Hardinge's 130-plus year legacy of precision turning provides confidence in spindle accuracy and long-term reliability
Limitations
- 630 IPM rapid traverse is slower than many competitors in this class (Haas ST-20 offers 1,200 IPM), adding non-cutting time on longer traverses
- No Y-axis or live tooling option limits the H51 to pure turning operations, requiring secondary machines for milling and cross-drilling
- 6.75-inch X-axis travel is relatively short, which can limit facing operations on larger-diameter chuck work
- Hardinge's smaller dealer network compared to Haas or Mazak can result in longer service response times in some regions
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
New Conquest H51 machines typically start around $100,000 for a base Fanuc configuration and can reach $175,000 with the Siemens 840D control, additional tooling, and automation options. Used H51 machines from 2010-2018 trade between $30,000 and $80,000 depending on hours and condition.
02
The Haas ST-20 offers faster rapids (1,200 IPM vs 630 IPM), Y-axis and live tooling options, and a larger dealer network at a lower price point. The H51 counters with Hardinge's collet-ready spindle precision, half-index turret with 24 effective positions, and multi-control availability. Choose the H51 for precision-critical bar work; choose the ST-20 for general-purpose turning with multitasking needs.
03
The H51 is offered with three CNC control options: Fanuc 0iD, Siemens 840D, and Mitsubishi M720V. The Fanuc is the most common choice in North America. The Siemens 840D is popular in European markets. All three support the same machine capabilities.
04
Yes. The H51 includes a standard bar feed interface and accepts bars up to 2 inches (51 mm) in diameter. It works with major bar feeder brands including LNS, Iemca, and FMB for unattended production runs.
