-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001264725-04-000045.txt : 20041207
<SEC-HEADER>0001264725-04-000045.hdr.sgml : 20041207
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041207141036
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001264725-04-000045
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041203
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041207
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041207

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MTS SYSTEMS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000068709
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MEASURING & CONTROLLING DEVICES, NEC [3829]
		IRS NUMBER:				410908057
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0928

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		14000 TECHNOLOGY DR
		CITY:			EDEN PRAIRIE
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55344-2290
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6129374000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		14000 TECHNOLOGY DR
		CITY:			EDEN PRAIRIE
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55344

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	RESEARCH INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19670216

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EMERY SIDNEY W JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001183148

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-02382
		FILM NUMBER:		041188209

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MTS SYSTESM CORP
		STREET 2:		14000 TECHNOLOGY DR
		CITY:			EDEN PRAIRIE
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55344
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
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    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-03</periodOfReport>

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        <issuerName>MTS SYSTEMS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MTSC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

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            <rptOwnerName>EMERY SIDNEY W JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>14000 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>EDEN PRAIRIE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55344</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman, CEO and President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
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                    <value>1628</value>
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                </transactionShares>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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                    <value>D</value>
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                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
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    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option - Right to Buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.93</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-07-13</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2006-07-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>60000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
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            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On September 22, 2004 Mr. Emery purchased 100 shares of Common Stock at a price of $21.45 per share.  Pursuant to Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, he has paid the Company $1,216 ($33.61-$21.45 X100) representing the profit realized from sale of 100 of the reported shares sold this date.&quot;</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The option vests in three equal annual installments beginning on this date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Sidney W. Emery, Jr., by Barbara J. Carpenter POA</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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