The machine for cracking a connecting rod comprises an electro press with an electric motor (400) for actuating an expandable element. The electro press comprises a first actuator part (410) and a second actuator part (430) arranged so that when the first actuator part is driven by the electric motor (400) from a first position to a second position, (a) the first actuator part (410) is first driven by the electric motor (400) from said first position (FIG. 12A) to an intermediate position (FIG. 12B), without displacing the second actuator part (430), and (b) subsequently the first actuator part (410) is further driven by the electric motor (400) from said intermediate position (FIG. 12B) to said second position (FIG. 12C), displacing the second actuator part from a non-expanding position to an expanding position.