A hydraulic drive for executing a linear movement includes a motor, a pump, a lifting cylinder having the one linearly movable piston and a cylinder housing with at least one first connection and at least one second connection, a spring arranged such that the piston can be extended or retracted when the spring is in the relaxed state, and at least one first valve with which the first connection and the second connection of the cylinder housing can be fluidly connected. At least one second valve connected in parallel with the first valve is further provided, wherein the first valve has a maximum volumetric throughflow which is greater than the maximum volumetric through-flow of the second valve.