Method for controlling a hydraulic drive and hydraulic drive

A method for controlling a hydraulic drive for a hydraulic consumer alternately pressurized in opposite directions during operation, wherein the hydraulic drive comprises a hydraulic machine which is driven by an electric machine, and includes variable displacement adjustable through zero, wherein a rotational speed of the hydraulic machine is adjustable by controlling the electric machine, comprising:

• varying the variable displacement so that hydraulic fluid is alternately conveyed in opposite conveying directions, according to a cyclically varying volumetric flow specification, by the hydraulic machine, wherein, when alternating the conveying direction, a direction reversal is performed;
• increasing the rotational speed during a first change time period, after a respective direction reversal, from a first rotational speed set at an end of the direction reversal to a second rotational speed;
• and
• reducing the rotational speed during a second change time period after the first change time period until the first rotational speed is reached,
• wherein the variable displacement is varied during the first and second change time periods depending on the rotational speed and the cyclically varying volumetric flow specification so as to correspond to the volumetric flow specification.