Abstract: A hydraulic drive system has a pair of cylinder/piston assemblies cascaded together and interfaced by a frame. The two assemblies are parallel, but not co-axial, so that in retracted position they may reside side-by-side, thereby minimizing the longitudinal space required to accommodate the system when in retracted position. Lateral torque resulting from the offset between the axes of the two cylinder/piston assemblies is resisted by causing the interfacing frame to slide against and ride between a pair of longitudinal rails, which resist the lateral forces resulting from the torquing of the frame.