IFPS Hydraulic Specialist
Service Description
REQUEST A SEATWho will benefit?
Fluid Power Professionals with working knowledge of hydraulic fluid power fundamentals, specialized hydraulic topics, system integration, and electrical control technology. Applicants should be fully studied and prepared to take the test prior to this review. Test application must be received at IFPS Headquarters at least 30 days prior to your requested test date.
What is it about?
This is a review course for the International Fluid Power Society’s Hydraulic Specialist Certification. Hydraulic Specialist (HS) applies fluid power theory and related knowledge to analyze power transmission and motion control requirements and designs appropriate industrial or mobile hydraulic systems to perform required tasks. Sizes and selects appropriate components, designs, or modifies complete circuit, prepares Bills of Materials, and specifies fluids, prime movers, and appropriate fluid conductors. A HS also designs appropriate instrumentation and control systems (hydraulic and electronic) for industrial and mobile machinery. The HS may become involved in sales activities, product warranty claims, and evaluation of prototype machinery. A HS may also become involved in instructional activities for Fluid Power Technicians and Fluid Power Mechanics concerning principles of hydraulics.
What is included?
Written Materials: IFPS Hydraulic Specialist Study Guide, IFPS Fluid Power Reference Handbook, IFPS Math for Certification
+ All other needed materials to execute the training such as PPE, notepads, toolboxes, pens, extension cords, etc.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Understand the Function of Hydraulic Components in Circuits
- Use hydraulic symbols.
- Recognize hydraulic symbols.
- Understand circuit diagrams and component functions.
- Read circuit diagrams.
- Understand the application of pumps and intensifiers.
- Understand the application of valves.
- Understand the application of actuators.
- Understand the application of regenerative circuits.
- Understand the application of accumulators.
- Understand the application of fluids.
- Understand the application of fluid conditioning.
- Understand the application of connectors and conductors.
- Understand the application of a prime mover.
- Understand the application of hydrostatic systems.
- Understand the application of steering.
Analyze Loads & Motion
- Identify system parameters (linear and rotary).
- Select the proper formulae to calculate force, torque and speed.
- Perform load calculations.
- Understand linear load and motion parameters.
- Understand the principles of pulley systems.
- Understand the principles of levers.
- Understand rotary load and motion parameters (solve for T).
- Understand the principles of gearing.
- Determine the work profile to move loads (force, distance, work, torque, speed, velocity, and power).
- Calculate the work profiles of a hydraulic system.
Selecting Components for Hydraulic Systems
- Specify hydraulic cylinders.
- Use the proper formula to size cylinders.
- Calculate the reaction force on a cylinder rod bearing.
- Understand the importance of rod column strength.
- Calculate the thrust for a toggle mechanism.
- Calculate the hydraulic pressure to support jib boom loads.
- Specify hydraulic motors.
- Calculate torque, speed, and horsepower of hydraulic motors.
- Understand break away, running and starting torque.
- Understand shaft torque and mounting capacity.
- Understand radial and axial load limitations.
- Understand speed requirements and limitations.
- Calculate efficiencies.
- Specify hydraulic pumps.
- Calculate pump size for required flows.
- Understand inlet conditions.
- Understand speed requirements and limitations.
- Understand direction of rotation.
- Understand pressure capabilities.
- Specify hydraulic valves.
- Understand the selection process of a pressure control valve.
- Understand the selection process of a directional control valve.
- Understand the application of logic elements (cartridge valves).
- Specify hydraulic reservoirs.
- Calculate the capacity of a reservoir using volume requirements.
- Understand the limitations of the reservoir for fluid conditioning.
- Understand the requirements of a properly designed reservoir.
- Specify hydraulic accumulators.
- Understand the difference between isothermal and adiabatic conditions.
- Understand the purposes of the accumulator.
- Specify hydraulic intensifiers.
- Calculate intensifier ratio for given pressure and flow.
- Specify fluid conductors.
- Calculate the size of fluid conductors given a velocity and flow.
- Understand safety factors for fluid conductors.
- Specify heat exchangers.
- Calculate the head load.
- Confirm system fluid compatibility.
- Ensure temperature and viscosity compatibility.
- Ensure component compatibility.
- Determine the required fluid cleanliness level of the system.
- Select filter type and location.
- Specify means for proper fluid sampling.
Analyze & Troubleshoot Hydraulic Systems
- Interpret diagnostic readings (pressure, flow, heat, vibration, noise, and cycle times).
- Identify troubleshooting parameters.
- During start-up of a new, recently repaired or modified system, verify the proper selection, installation, and operation of components.
- Verify completion of start-up check list.
- Verify correct component selection.
- Verify correct component connections.
- Verify correct component operation.
- Analyze circuit design.
- On non-performing systems, verify the proper operation of components by isolating functions in branch circuits.
- Trace the operational sequence of a circuit.
- Distinguish between correct and incorrect operation of components.
- Interpret fluid analysis reports for machines.
- Identify contaminants in a hydraulic fluid analysis.
Electrohydraulic Control Systems
- Understand electronic control fundamentals for hydraulic systems.
- Familiarization with control system requirements.
- Familiarization with ladder logic diagrams, function block and structured text.
- Familiarization with digital communication technology.
- Understand the operation of proportional valves.
- Understand the application of proportional valves.
- Understand the application of sensors.
- Identify components on the amplifier card.
Upcoming Sessions
| Dates | Location | Maximum Seats |
| Sep 14-18 2026 | Charlotte, North Carolina | 16 |
Confirmation & Cancellation Policy:
In-House Training Policy:• Each class is subject to a minimum enrollment of six (6) participants, which may be comprised of attendees from multiple organizations. If the minimum enrollment is not met prior to the scheduled date, CFC may reschedule the class to an alternative available date, in consultation with affected clients.• A valid Purchase Order (PO) is required to secure class seat(s). Purchase Orders must be submitted to [email protected] and must reference the applicable class name and scheduled dates.• Class seats are allocated in the order in which valid Purchase Orders are received.• The quoted course fee will be invoiced on the final day of the course and is due Net 30 from the invoice date.• Credit card payments are subject to an additional three percent (3%) processing fee.• Cancellation and rescheduling charges apply once a Purchase Order has been issued and class dates have been secured, as follows: – Two (2) weeks’ notice: CFC reserves the right to invoice for any non-recoverable costs incurred, including but not limited to travel, lodging, and associated change or cancellation fees. – Less than two (2) weeks’ notice: Seventy-five percent (75%) of the total quoted amount. – Less than one (1) week’s notice: One hundred percent (100%) of the total quoted amount. – For classes scheduled to commence on a Monday, cancellation notice must be received by the preceding Friday no later than 4:00 PM Eastern Time (nine (9) calendar days prior).• Cancellation charges are calculated based on the full quoted amount. Additional costs arising from airline or hotel cancellations or changes will be invoiced at cost.• All applicable cancellation charges will be invoiced at the time of cancellation and are due Net 30 from the invoice date.