Hardinge Conquest H51

$100,000 - $175,000 Updated 2026-03-11

Key Specifications

X Travel

171 mm (6.75 in)

Z Travel

581 mm (22.87 in)

Max Turn Length

648 mm (25.5 in)

max turning diameter

312 mm (12.3 in)

bar capacity

51 mm (2.0 in)

main spindle speed

5,000 RPM

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 12.3 inches maximum turning diameter and 25.5 inches maximum turning length, with X-axis travel of 6.75 inches and Z-axis travel of 22.87 inches. 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 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. 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. 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

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

Precision production shops that prioritize accuracy and collet-based gripping over multitasking capability Bar-fed production of aerospace fasteners, medical components, and hydraulic fittings up to 2-inch diameter Shops already standardized on Hardinge collet systems looking for a larger-capacity machine within the same ecosystem Second-operation turning where fast turret indexing and precision matter more than milling capability Contract manufacturers who need control system flexibility to match customer requirements or existing shop floor standards

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a new Hardinge Conquest H51 cost?

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 How does the Conquest H51 compare to the Hardinge Talent 42?

The H51 is larger in every dimension — 2-inch bar capacity vs 1.65 inches, 12.3-inch turning diameter vs 11.4 inches, and 20 HP vs 10 HP. The Talent 42 offers live tooling and Y-axis options that the H51 lacks. Choose the H51 for higher-power pure turning of larger parts; choose the Talent 42 for multitasking capability on smaller parts.

03 What controls are available on the H51?

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 Can the H51 accept a bar feeder?

Yes. The H51 includes a standard bar feed interface and accepts bars up to 2 inches in diameter. It works with major bar feeder brands including LNS, Iemca, and FMB for unattended production.

05 Does the H51 have live tooling?

No. The Conquest H51 is a pure turning machine without live tooling or Y-axis capability. For milling and cross-drilling operations, consider the Hardinge Talent 42 MY or Talent 51 MY, which offer live tooling with Hardinge's precision BMT system.

06 What is the half-index turret feature?

The 12-station turret can index to positions between the standard 12 stations, effectively providing 24 tool positions. This is useful for shops running complex parts that require more than 12 tools without needing a tool change during the cycle.