Session 6 is where hydraulics finally gets to do what it was built for—move things. Cylinders push, motors spin, and suddenly all that pressure and flow starts turning into real work (instead of just numbers on a schematic). BJ Wagner walks through how actuators behave, why speed and force are always negotiating with each other, and how changing one setting can quietly affect everything else. From telescopic cylinders doing their staged “one thing at a time” routine to accumulators storing energy like a loaded spring, this session highlights how motion actually happens—and what can go wrong if it’s not controlled.

Session 4 shifts into valves—the components that control pressure, direction, and flow (basically, the ones that decide if your system works… or just sits there). BJ breaks down the different types, how they function, and why small details like pressure settings and flow control can make a big difference in performance.

Session 3 is all about hydraulic pumps—the heart of the system and occasionally the reason your day gets complicated. BJ walks through pump types, how they actually move fluid, and why some are overachievers while others are just along for the ride. We also cover cavitation and aeration (aka the “your pump sounds terrible” phase), take a look inside gear, vane, and piston pumps, and talk about efficiency, pressure limits, and how not to accidentally shorten your pump’s lifespan. It’s part theory, part real-world reality—because in hydraulics, things always sound fine… until they don’t 😄