Hydro-viscous clutch has become an inevitable choice for the transmission of contemporary and future special vehicles. As a nonlinear dynamic system with large lagging link, its timing performance is affected by input rotational speed, lubricating oil temperature, lubricating pressure and other factors. However, in the actual application process, the actual influence of the influencing factors on the system performance is often judged by engineering experiences. From the control point of view, the speed regulation law and formation mechanism of hydro-viscous speed control system(HSCS) are not clear, and the control characteristics and global model are indeterminate. To solve the above problems, this paper analyzes the speed control characteristics of HSCS, including steady-state speed control characteristics and dynamic speed control characteristics. The specific characteristic parameters are obtained, and the data-driven model describing the input rotational speed, output speed, control oil pressure and lubricating oil temperature is established. The formation mechanism of the multi-region in HSCS is analyzed. According to the analysis, this paper determines that the effective pressure control range of HSCS is 0-6.2 Bar, the effective force control range is 0–4 KN, the fastest response time is greater than 3s. This paper provides the basis for integrated modeling and control method design. It is helpful to further reveal and obtain the control characteristics and parameters of HSCS, so as to provide the basis for the structure and parameter optimization, performance evaluation and analysis of HSCS machinery and hydraulic system.