Hlv-hs are about 11" over the bed, 9-ish over the carriage (about 3" wide) and 6 & a bit over the cross-slide (if the crossslide nut locking bolt is not in the way).
Officially, they are 18" twixt centres but can be coaxed a little further if not turning full length.
Hmm now would I swap my hardeinge for an ugly clunky. ugly , heavy ugly old design ,did i mention ugly?, just because it was made in my home town.....no!
Every time i use my hardinge i usually end up thinking "what a bloody fantastic lathe this is!" (that is unless I've had to move the tailstock too often, e.g more than twice! then i'm swearing about my shoulder ache) Once you've threaded on a hlv there is no going back B-)
Before the headstock belt became contaminated (how?) and it started making a noise like a donkey with its nuts caught in wheel (new belts are winging their way across the Atlantic as we speak) , it was quite as a mouse . (no gears or kopft vaguelyators to grind)
But in defence of the chippy : it will probably handle heavier cuts ,which won't fall on your hand' cos the carriage wheel on the right side.,......., and some people like ugly ;-)