A hydraulic cylinder with multiple action, especially for the lifting tailgates of industrial vehicles, comprising a body (CIL) closed by a bottom (FO) inside which slides a piston (PI), having a rod (AS) integral with the piston (PI), the bottom (F), moreover, having a chamber (CA) hydraulically connected to an internal area of the cylindrical body (CIL), in which between the chamber (CA) and the internal area of the cylindrical body (CIL), there are valve means to allow a passage of variable flows of a fluid from the chamber (CA) to the internal area of the cylindrical body (CIL) and vice-versa. In particular at least two different speeds are obtained with reference to the extension of the cylinder.