A stationary main cylinder, spaced behind a billet-receiving container located behind an extrusion die, contains a ram projecting from the front end of the cylinder. Piercer cylinders are mounted on the opposite sides of the main cylinder and have open front ends from which piston rods extend forward and carry coupling cylinders. A piercer crosshead in front of the ram is rigidly connected to the coupling cylinders behind an extrusion crosshead connected to the ram by means extending past the piercer crosshead. Plungers disposed in the coupling cylinders are rigidly connected with the extrusion crosshead, from which a hollow stem extends forward. A mandrel holder carried by the piercer crosshead extends forward through an opening in the extrusion crosshead for supporting a mandrel in the stem. Means are provided for supplying hydraulic fluid to the cylinders in a predetermined sequence to move the crossheads in unison and also relative to each other during piercing and extruding of a billet.