A system and method for controlling the movement of an implement of an earthmoving machine. The system includes a hydraulic actuator adapted to move the implement. A variable displacement pump is coupled to the actuator for delivering a pressurized fluid to and receiving pressurized fluid from chambers within the actuator. A sensor generates an output based on the position of the actuator's piston or piston rod, and a controller controls the displacement of the variable displacement pump in response to the output of the sensor by executing an algorithm to reduce the flow rate of the fluid to and from the actuator's chambers and thereby reduce the velocity of the piston as it approaches an end of a piston stroke thereof and prevent the piston from impacting the actuator at the end of the piston stroke.