The response time represents how fast a system responds to a given disturbance at the system boundary. Flow restricting devices for controlling transients can result in a decrease in the peakm pressure, but may change response time. Response lag in a hydraulic system leads to inefficient working cycle and operator discomfort. The experiments were conducted in order to get information on the parameters which exert appreciable influence on the response time. The experimental apparatu including a hydraulic actuator, orifice and a hydraulic pump was an idealization of a bucket hydraulic shifting system. Experimental results show that the response time depends on operating pressure and flow rate. The effects of orifice type and size on the response time are quantified.