A pusher centrifuge includes a rotatable filter drum having a drum body and a piston that are configured to be reciprocated axially relative to one another, a filter drum drive shaft rigidly connected to the filter drum, a hydraulic push mechanism for generating an axial oscillating push force and connected to the filter drum so as to cause the relative reciprocating movement between the piston and the drum body, a hydraulic pump including a pump input shaft and is in fluid connection with the hydraulic push mechanism, and a drive motor including at least one output shaft connected to the pump input shaft and the filter drum drive shaft to actuate both the pump input shaft and the filter drum drive shaft. The at least one output shaft of the drive motor is connected to the pump input shaft in a manner without an intervening gearbox, thereby forming a direct drive.