No, the 4/1 isn't always the optimum. It depends on the ram and the flow.

A long stroke ram will use a lower leverage. A short stroke ram more, if it has the force to do it.

For Gravity3 I went for a 4/1 ratio to keep the force on the tip around 1 ton. Just felt right, and it was then. This means the flipper was powered up to 720mm .

In Bullfrog, I still aim for the 1000kg on the tip, but the ram is so different that the leverage is closer to 7-1, with a powered stroke on the flipper around 400mm.