Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder has a tube with a first end and a section end. The hydraulic cylinder also has a piston assembly movably disposed within the tube and configured to move between the first and second ends of the tube. The hydraulic cylinder further has a valve plunger connected to the piston assembly and having an axial bore. The hydraulic cylinder additionally has a cap assembly connected to the tube to close off the first end of the tube. The cap assembly has a fluid passageway and the valve plunger is configured to progressively restrict fluid flow through the fluid passageway as the piston assembly approaches the first end of the tube.