Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a tele-operated machine uses a sensor which senses the angular orientation of the joint, converts the angular orientation to a required length of the linear actuator (piston and cylinder) to obtain the then current length. A controller inputs the desired position of the joint and the system defines the length of (or flow to) the linear actuator necessary for the joint to be in the desired position based on a comparison of the desired and actual lengths of the actuator and sets the length of (or flow to) the actuator based on the required length (or flow) necessary to move the joint into the desired position i.e. to extend the length of the actuator to that required for the desired movement of the joint.