A front end loading refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body coupled to the chassis, and a lift arm assembly. The lift arm assembly includes a pair of lift arms and a pair of actuators. Each of the pair of lift arms includes (a) a first arm portion having (i) a first end pivotally coupled to a side of the body and (ii) an opposing second end having a protrusion extending therefrom and (b) a second arm portion having (i) a first end that slidably receives the protrusion of the first arm portion and (ii) an opposing second end configured to interface with an implement. Each of the actuators is positioned externally relative to a respective one of the pair of lift arms and extends between the opposing second end of the first arm portion and the first end of the second arm portion.