Abstract: The working piston (15) in the cylinder (1) is acted upon by pressure fluid only on one side, while the return movement of the piston is produced by reaction forces (R). The pressure fluid feed and the pressure fluid discharge are effected by way of separate conduits (9, 10) so that there is a continuous interchange of pressure fluid in the cylinder (1). When the maximum piston stroke position is reached, pressure fluid can flow out of the cylinder (1), irrespective of the control position of the control device (2). In both limit positions of the piston (15), the movement of the piston is braked by a mechanical damping means (18).