Force America’s new spreader control is designed specifically for the demands placed on public works departments and other heavy-duty winter maintenance operations. The 5100ex delivers functionality in a compact, modern design ideally suited for trucks where space is at a premium, according to the manufacturer.

As the demands on public works departments and private contractors increase, they are continually challenged to do more with less. Emission standards and higher fuel prices have steadily shrunk the size of winter maintenance equipment and the available work space an operator has to do the job. In parallel, more and more technology is finding its way into the cab of a plow truck. The 5100ex provides a commanding solution for winter maintenance professionals to fight snow and ice without crowding the cab with hardware.

The 5100ex provides closed- and open-loop along with manual application of granular and liquid de-icing materials. It also has optional integrated control for the plow and hoist operation. The bright, bold color LCD incorporates the ease-of-use found in Force America’s 6100 line of controllers coupled with a touchscreen for calibration and configuration options. Operators will appreciate the large control knobs and backlit rocker switches featured on the 5100ex, the only controller of its kind with all controls to the right of the LCD screen for an unobstructed view when making changes, according to the manufacturer.

The system comes standard with a fully adjustable mount and built-in USB port for data retrieval and firmware upgrades.

Of particular interest to cost-conscious fleet operators is the 5100ex’s integration with PreCise MRM’s AVL/GPS solution. Embedded in the 5100ex is more than 15 years of experience providing public works departments comprehensive winter maintenance reporting. Culminating with its acquisition of PreCise MRM in 2009, Force America has invested heavily in assuring its AVL/GPS reports are the most reliable, accurate and timely available. The 5100ex paired with the PreCise MRM solution provides customers with web-based tools to automate winter maintenance reporting along with flexible mapping and equipment maintenance reports.

“We are extremely excited about the launch of the 5100ex,” said Jeremy Flasch, product manager of the electrical division at Force America. “We envision winter maintenance operations will continue to outfit their larger trucks with our 6100 controls but now we have a nice complement for applications where a more compact, stand-alone controller is more ideal. Because the user interface incorporates the same intuitive navigation, operators can easily move from a smaller truck to a larger one without having to learn a new system.”

The 5100ex has successfully completed rigorous environmental and shock testing as a part of the development process and meets the SAE J1455 standard for heavy-duty trucks. It has already been deployed in winter maintenance fleets during the 2012/2013 winter season where customers have provided feedback readying it for final production. The 5100ex was designed and is manufactured in the United States. The system will be available in volume beginning in the spring of 2013.

For more information, call 1/888-99-FORCE or visit www.forceamerica.com.

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