Electronics 2000

Hi all
This is my very first time on here so a big hello to you all!

Can you please help, I need to build and design a device that can monitor when an electric hydraulic ram is being forced against its will in a rest state. I am unsure if when the ram is forced whether it generates a resistance and if so is it possible to use this to trigger a relay or similar or if I need to be looking at something that will need to monitor the hydraulic side of things, I am an electrician by trade so please forgive my lack of knowledge in this field??

Your help here would be gratefully received!

Kind Regards Sean

Would a hydraulic pressure switch on the back side of the ram work so when it is pushed back the pressure builds and the switch operates?
You'd need to have the controls hydraulically locked when stationary for that to work.
The switch would also need to be rated for the hydraulic pressure of the system.
Also the ram cannot be parked against the back of the cylinder for this to work.

I'm sure there's other ways of doing it too, such as using load cells in the system.