A control device controls a hydraulic cylinder unit having a piston. The device receives a setpoint variable and an actual variable and determines, based on a difference between the setpoint variable and the actual variable, a preliminary manipulated variable for valves of the hydraulic cylinder unit. The setpoint variable and the actual variable relate to a position of the piston or a force applied by the piston. Linearization factors are determined dynamically as a function of the actual position of the piston and working pressures on both sides of the piston and a hydraulic fluid tank/pump. Definitive manipulated variables to control the valves are determined from the preliminary manipulated variable and the linearization factors. With the linearization factors, a ratio of the piston adjustment speed to the difference between the setpoint variable and the actual variable is independent of the actual position of the piston and the working pressures.