Just got a JD2 model 3. Built a saw horse type frame. 4x4 1/4 wall main beam. Mounted it to the end with bolts at first, then welded. I added air over hydro cylinder. For some reason the bender swing arms as well as the main arms are twisting upward with little extention of ram. How much if any is normal? I have not continued to bend because something doesnt seem right. The ram as well as the bender are dead level to each other. I know the arms should swing parallel with each other. I am trying to bend 1.5 .120 wall. Well within what the bender should be capable of. Any help would be appreciated.

You said that the ram and the bender are level , are they on the same plane? If your ram is mounted a little below the bender center line it will try to push your bender arms upwards.

Yes I made sure the center of the piston and the center of bender are same. Does anyone have a close up shot of the die end of the bender? What I am asking is what controls the up/down movement of the die as it turns? There just seems to be too much space between the die and arms. Is the roll pin through the follower supose to rest on the bender main arm?