NFPA Conference to Showcase Advancements in Hydraulics at CONEXPO 2026
The National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) is hosting a 2-day Advanced Hydraulics Conference in conjunction with CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026. Hydraulic components and systems remain critical to the operation of excavators, wheel loaders and other construction equipment, making the conference a natural fit for one of the largest construction industry events.
NFPA’s conference will be held March 4 and 5, in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, room S224. It is designed to provide in-depth technical sessions for mobile off-highway vehicle and fluid power engineers.
A range of hydraulic technology developments in the areas of eHydraulics, steer-by-wire systems, artificial intelligence (AI) and more will be highlighted during these sessions as well as how they fit in with broader industry trends such as electrification, digitalization and the desire for efficiency improvements.
Following is a list of the sessions currently planned for the NFPA Advanced Hydraulics Conference at CONEXPO 2026. Full descriptions and conference registration information can be found on NFPA’s website.
Wednesday, March 4
Increased Runtime for Battery-Electric Excavators with Digital Hydraulics | Chris Williamson of Danfoss Power Solutions
Unlocking Digital Transformation: Why Strategic Ecosystem Partnerships are Essential to Delivering Risk-Reduced, High-Value Digital Services | Adam Livesay of Elevat
Smart Hybrid Architectures for Off-Highway Machines: Standard Components, Smarter Controls | Barun Acharya from Parker Hannifin
How OEMs Can Tap into System Integrators to Design and Optimize Their Machines | DJ O’Konek of Nott Company
Optimization and Validation of eHydraulic System Performance on a Battery-Electric Backhoe Loader | Simon Nielsen from Danfoss Power Solutions
Using 3D Finite Element Analysis to Increase Performance in Shaft Seals for Hydraulic Pump Applications | Dr. Nino Dakov of Trelleborg Sealing Solutions
Hydraulic Data from the Heart of the Circuit: Pump Output Digitization | Mark Preissig from Casappa
Visit our CONEXPO 2026 page for show news, interviews with hydraulics companies exhibiting at the event and more content related to one of the largest trade shows for the construction equipment sector.
Is That Hydraulics? The Accelerating Pace of Technology Change in the Fluid Power Industry | This will be a special live recording of NFPA’s Fluid Power Forum podcast featuring a panel discussion with Eric Lanke of NFPA as moderator and panelists Barun Acharya from Parker Hannifin, Joe Budden from Danfoss Power Solutions and Philippe Reynolds from Poclain Hydraulics.
Thursday, March 5
Comparison of Two Electric Linear Actuation technologies: Electro-Mechanical Actuation and Electro-Hydrostatic Actuation | Dale Vanderlaan of Parker Hannifin
Unlocking the Power of Practical AI in Mid-Market Manufacturing and Distribution | Ken Baker from Bailey International
Hydraulic System Efficiency Optimization Leveraging Quasistatic & Dynamic Models | Chad Larish and Aaron Jagoda from Danfoss Power Solutions
Variable Flow with Fixed Displacement Pump | Andrea Rimondi of Marzocchi Pumps
Steer By Wire: An Enabling Technology for Autonomy and Automation | David Schulte P.E. of Parker Hannifin
Lowering Total Cost of Ownership | Dr. Rhishkesh Gokhale from Evonik Oil Additives
eHydraulic Building Blocks: Inverters, Components, and Application-Specific Systems | Joe Budden from Danfoss Power Solutions
How Mechatronics Integration Ease the Adoption of Electrification | Benjamin L’Hénoret of Poclain Hydraulics
About the Author
Sara Jensen
Executive Editor, Power & Motion
Sara Jensen is executive editor of Power & Motion, directing expanded coverage into the modern fluid power space, as well as mechatronic and smart technologies. She has over 15 years of publishing experience. Prior to Power & Motion she spent 11 years with a trade publication for engineers of heavy-duty equipment, the last 3 of which were as the editor and brand lead. Over the course of her time in the B2B industry, Sara has gained an extensive knowledge of various heavy-duty equipment industries — including construction, agriculture, mining and on-road trucks —along with the systems and market trends which impact them such as fluid power and electronic motion control technologies.
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