JD squared bender question

 Anyone have a jd squared model 3 tube bender? my 2 friends and I just ordered one with a 1 5/8" tube 180 degree die and i was wondering how hard is it gonna be for me to crank this thing by hand? I didnt have enough money for the hydraulic cylinder kit. Now im a little concerned that this might be too much of a workout. If anyone has one with a die close to my size lemme know if you can bend these with just the 36" hand lever! Thanks

Ive got the model 3 bender with a 1.5 inch die.  Ive bent .120 wall with very easily.  You have to put some weight into it, but it is not hard at all.  You can also make a longer extension for the handle to get more leverage.  I wouldnt worry about the hydralic ram.  Its really not needed.

where did you purchase it from and how much was it ? im looking to possibly purchase one soon

I got mine from trick tools.  I think they had the best deal and they have awsome customer service.  Here is the ebay link:http://cgi.ebay.com/JD2-Model-32-Tube-Bender-Tubing-Pipe-Bending-Machine_W0QQitemZ170312099381QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item170312099381&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262I think they have a website also. 

I used to have the manual one, sold it and got a hydraulic one. I LOVE having the hydraulic one, I bend tube all day damn near everyday and it saves alot of time and energy. The manual one worked great too, just always wore out my 'batin arm

They offer a hydraulic conversion for the model three bender also.  So you could always upgrade.

Batin arm, lol

Not to thread jack, but what size tubing is usually used on bridges and such things? Pipe or dom?

^^ I use .120 wall cold roll electro weld (CREW) in 1 1/4 1 and 1 1/2 od.for bridges, crossmembers etc.

I have bent 1.25" .188 wall DOM with mine, by hand it wasnt to hard.  1 5/8" .120 and .134 wall is not to hard to bend either.  It would be nice to have a hydr. kit but not a necessity unless you use it all the time.