Four-state fluid cylinder, the cylinder having a cylinder housing with a first end and an opposite second end and a piston rod protruding from the first end of the cylinder housing, the cylinder further comprising: a main piston rigidly connected to the piston rod and arranged so as to be movable within the cylinder housing, with a first chamber (CH A) being formed between the main piston and the first end of the cylinder housing; a first spring arranged between the first end of the cylinder housing and the main piston and for biasing the main piston away from the first end of the cylinder housing; a first valve connectable to a fluid supply and for controlling fluid pressure inside the first chamber (CH A); a floating piston arranged within the cylinder housing so as to fit around a portion of the main piston and to be movable with respect to the main piston, with a second chamber (CH B) being formed between the main and floating pistons (360, 370) and the second end of the cylinder housing; a second valve connectable to the fluid supply and for controlling fluid pressure inside the second chamber (CH B); a piston buffer arranged between the second end of the cylinder housing and the main and floating pistons (360, 370) and for buffering movement of the floating piston, wherein the piston buffer comprises fluid bleed holes formed as through-holes; and a second spring arranged between the second end of the cylinder housing and the piston buffer for biasing the piston buffer away from the second end of the cylinder housing, wherein the main piston has a larger-diameter portion facing the first chamber (CH A) and abutting on the cylinder housing inner wall surface, a smaller-diameter portion facing the second chamber (CH B) and a step portion in a transition region between the larger-diameter portion and the smaller-diameter portion, wherein the floating piston fits around part of the smaller-diameter portion and is movable into and out of abutment onto the step portion. a main piston rigidly connected to the piston rod and arranged so as to be movable within the cylinder housing, with a first chamber (CH A) being formed between the main piston and the first end of the cylinder housing; a first spring arranged between the first end of the cylinder housing and the main piston and for biasing the main piston away from the first end of the cylinder housing; a first valve connectable to a fluid supply and for controlling fluid pressure inside the first chamber (CH A); a floating piston arranged within the cylinder housing so as to fit around a portion of the main piston and to be movable with respect to the main piston, with a second chamber (CH B) being formed between the main and floating pistons (360, 370) and the second end of the cylinder housing; a second valve connectable to the fluid supply and for controlling fluid pressure inside the second chamber (CH B); a piston buffer arranged between the second end of the cylinder housing and the main and floating pistons (360, 370) and for buffering movement of the floating piston, wherein the piston buffer comprises fluid bleed holes formed as through-holes; and a second spring arranged between the second end of the cylinder housing and the piston buffer for biasing the piston buffer away from the second end of the cylinder housing, wherein the main piston has a larger-diameter portion facing the first chamber (CH A) and abutting on the cylinder housing inner wall surface, a smaller-diameter portion facing the second chamber (CH B) and a step portion in a transition region between the larger-diameter portion and the smaller-diameter portion, wherein the floating piston fits around part of the smaller-diameter portion and is movable into and out of abutment onto the step portion.