A surgical instrument that comprises an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective pivotal travel about an articulation axis that extends transversely relative to the shaft axis. An articulation driver is supported for selective longitudinal travel relative to the elongate shaft assembly in a distal direction and a proximal direction. A central articulation link is movably coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft assembly. The central articulation link is operably coupled to the articulation driver and an end effector driver link. The end effector driver link is operably coupled to the surgical end effector for selective pivotal and axial travel relative thereto.
