Abstract: Hydraulic pumping systems that reduce wear within a reciprocating piston pump are described. The system includes a hydraulic drive system having a first drive piston, a second drive piston and a work piston within a work cylinder having first and second working sides. The work piston connects each of the first and second drive pistons via first and second piston rods. The work chamber is configured to receive a fluid/gas to be pumped on the first and second working sides of the work piston and expel the fluid/gas from the first and second working sides of the work piston. A hydraulic fluid control system is configured to alternately direct hydraulic fluid to respective working sides of the first and second drive pistons such that the first and second piston rods are in tension during each working stroke of the work piston.