KAGE Innovation has introduced a new flexible inline 3-button control for its hydraulic wing snow plows, giving operators a way to position plow controls directly on wheel loader and tractor joysticks.
The new controller replaces Kage's previous puck-style 3-button design. Its narrow profile and flexible construction allow the control to follow the shape and contour of an existing joystick, helping address a common challenge associated with operating aftermarket hydraulic attachments on equipment with increasingly complex factory controls.
Hydraulic wing plows require operators to control additional attachment functions that may not be incorporated into a machine's factory joystick. Traditional aftermarket solutions can add bulky control boxes, rigid switches or separate controls that are difficult to position without interfering with the operator's grip or existing machine functions, according to Kage.
The Kage inline controller is designed to provide an alternative. Because the controller is small and flexible, installers have freedom to position the three buttons where they are comfortable and accessible to the operator. The control can be secured to a joystick using simple mounting methods such as zip ties or electrical tape, eliminating the need for a large or complicated mounting bracket, added Kage.
Integrated grooves in the controller are designed to help retain zip ties and prevent them from sliding out of position. According to Kage, the flexible body also can conform to curved and contoured joystick surfaces, making the design adaptable to the wide variety of control shapes found across wheel loaders and tractors.
The design is particularly beneficial for hydraulic wing snow plows because wing positions may be adjusted repeatedly throughout a snow removal operation. Depending on the application, operators may reposition the wings to contain snow, increase clearing width, windrow material or change the plow configuration for different areas of a property. Locating these controls directly on the machine's primary joystick can reduce the need to reach for a separate control elsewhere in the cab.
The compact design also helps address the limited mounting space available on modern equipment. Wheel loader and tractor joysticks can already contain numerous factory switches and controls, leaving little room for additional aftermarket components. Rather than requiring a specific flat mounting surface, the flexible KAGE controller is designed to work around existing joystick geometry and factory controls.
Key features of the new KAGE inline 3-button wing plow control include:
• Compact inline three-button configuration
• Flexible construction that can conform to curved and contoured joysticks
• Small footprint designed for crowded wheel loader and tractor controls
• Simple mounting using zip ties, tape or similar methods
• Integrated grooves designed to help retain zip ties
• Greater flexibility in choosing an operator-friendly mounting position
• Replacement of KAGE's previous puck-style 3-button wing plow control
The new inline control will be used across Kage Innovation's wing plow lineup - which includes the 32-in. stall SnowFire Wing Plows, 36-in. tall SnowStorm Wing Plows and 48-in. tall SnowDozer Wing Plows - providing a common control solution designed around the realities of installing and operating aftermarket hydraulic snow removal attachments on multiple types of heavy equipment.
