A brake actuator for a brake rigging in a brake system includes a brake cylinder; a piston rod disposed on the brake cylinder and connected to a piston assembly in the brake cylinder, the piston rod being configured to be moved by the piston assembly in a reciprocal axial motion and including at least one lateral protrusion extending therefrom; and an extension cylinder disposed on the brake cylinder at least partially surrounding the piston rod, the extension cylinder including at least one cam surface engaged by the at least one lateral protrusion of the piston rod. The extension cylinder is configured to be connected to a hand brake mechanism and to be actuated by the hand brake mechanism to rotate such that the cam surface engages the lateral protrusion of the piston rod to cause the piston rod to move to the extended position.