A drive system with multiple hydraulic cylinders applying torque to the drive shaft of a machine. Each cylinder is attached at one end to the frame of the machine by a clevis that pivots and the other end is rotationally connected to a shaft fixed to a crank arm, fixed to the drive shaft. Each cylinder either pushes or pulls-the crank arm shaft producing torque on the drive shaft in the form of a moment about centerline. As the drive shaft rotates, each cylinder alternately pushes and pulls on the crank arm shaft, depending on the rotational position of the crank arm with respect to the cylinders. The direction of force applied by each hydraulic cylinder is determined by an electro/hydraulic direction control valve, driven by a programmable logic controller, using a signal from a sensor to detect the rotational position of the drive shaft.