Hydraulic ram cylinders are typically used to give vertical motion, including lifting loads in a vertical direction. Such a cylinder is also used to provide the motion in a horizontal direction but needs attention and suitable guides to guide the motion.
Single-acting hydraulic cylinders that have no pistons but have large cylinder rods are called rams. These rams operate exactly like the conventional single acting hydraulic cylinders. However, they use large diameter rods in place of pistons and piston seals in their designs. Thus, in place of pistons, rams have high-pressure cap-end ports. They also do not have any low-pressure rod-end ports.
Rams are generally cheaper than their conventional single-acting cylinders counterparts.