Valve system for pneumatic cylinders

A valve system for use with a cylinder having an extensible rod, includes first and second valve assemblies, each including an inlet/outlet port configured to selectively be coupled with a source of pressurized gas, a check valve biased toward a closed state and having a check valve body at least partially receivable within a first port of the cylinder, a flow control valve positioned in series between the inlet/outlet port and the check valve, and an inlet pilot port connected with the check valve for opening the check valve when supplied with pressurized gas. First and second pilot lines extend to the respective inlet pilot ports from respective outlet pilot ports of the opposite ones of the first and second valve assemblies. When pressurized gas is supplied to the inlet/outlet port of a valve assembly, pressurized gas is also supplied to the opposite inlet pilot port.