Abstract: A hydraulic clamping apparatus including a base, a first support means for supporting a first mold and retained by the base and a second support means for supporting a second mold and retained by the base means, the second support means being movable relative to the base means along a path so as to move the second mold into engagement with the first mold. A first hydraulic actuator comprises a first cylinder, a first piston retained thereby, and a rod coupled between the first piston and the second support means. The first actuator is operable to produce reciprocating first strokes of the rod along the path. A second hydraulic actuator comprises a second cylinder and a ram piston shaped and arranged so as to permit with respect thereto relative movement along the path of the second support means. The ram piston has a diameter substantially greater than the first piston and is movable along the path in reciprocating second strokes substantially shorter than the first strokes.