Hydraulics: Push Force vs Gravity Force?

[nb89]

Just have a question about how hydraulics work...
When a hydraulic pushes a mass away from the ground, does it apply the same force as to when it pushes the same mass towards the ground? I'm wondering if gravity assists it when its pushing it towards the ground and therefore can apply a lower force. Is this right?

 

[Capt. Obvious]

Of course.

 

[Danger]

Gravity assists, of course, but for 'reasonable' loads it is insignificant compared to the force of the ram. If you're driving a 50kg pole into the ground with a 100 tonne ram, gravity really doesn't enter into the picture. On the other hand, a 1kg ram in the same situation would be much less noticeable in comparison to gravity.

 

[maxx_payne]

grAVITYH WILL cause friction here its only affects on the case of lifting