you can think of it this way - the x-t graph is a sine graph from equilibrium position, so v-t graph will be a cosine graph and a-t graph will be a -sine graph since v=dx/dt and a=dv/dt. for max v, t is 0, T or 2T (assuming period is 2T), when seen on the x-t graph, these values correspond to 0, meaning the piston at equilibrium position has maximum velocity.
for max a, u can also use the same method to visualise it. since a = -sin and x = sin, max a occurs when x is max (ignoring the -ve sign since it js tells the direction of travel).
alternatively, using the formula, v = +/- w (x0 2 - x2 )1/2 and a = -w2 x, where xo is maximum displacement and x is displacement at that time, max v occurs when x=0, when piston is at equilibrium. similarly, max a will occur when x is maximum, when piston is at the top or bottom
knowing the positions of the piston, you can work out the positions of the pivot when the piston has max v and a