An electro-hydrostatic actuating drive has a variable-volume and/or variable-speed hydraulic machine, which is driven by an electric motor, for the provision of a volumetric flow of a hydraulic fluid. Furthermore, the actuating drive comprises a cylinder with a piston, a piston rod and a first piston chamber, a valve with a first position and a second position, which valve can be moved by a first hydraulic actuator into the first position and by a second hydraulic actuator into the second position, wherein the second position controls a greater volumetric flow of the hydraulic fluid than the first position, a sink, a main line which connects a first piston chamber of the cylinder to the sink and in which the hydraulic machine is arranged, an auxiliary line which connects the first piston chamber to the sink and in which the valve is arranged, a first control line to the first hydraulic actuator, and a second control line to the second hydraulic actuator. A hydraulic resistor is arranged in the main line in series with the hydraulic machine, the first control line is connected to the main line, and the second control line is connected between the hydraulic resistor and the first piston chamber.