Hydraulic oscillators, with their high torque output, have been widely used in many applications. To increase the position control accuracy of electrohydraulic servovalve controlled oscillators, model-following optimal control techniques are employed for the controller design in this study. Different reference models, which are followed by the oscillator for positioning, are chosen and implemented. The mathematical model of this control system is determined by a system identification technique. Based on the on-line system parameters, the optimal controller generates time-variant feedback gains, and makes the control system possess the ability of real-time adaptation.