A multi-chamberal hydraulic cylinder and valve system utilizes a single relatively low flow rate pump to provide pressurized fluid during travel, compression and retraction of the piston rod. The piston rod has an effective diameter greater than its physical diameter due to the additional forces applied on an annular piston which is also used to extend and retract the piston rod without supplying pressurized fluid to the interior of the hollow piston rod except during the compression portion of the stroke.