"V" plow control problems

[SNOWPUSHER]

I am very happy with the operation and functionality of my MVP Plow. One problem I solved, knowing when the blade is straight, with an additional marker flag at the center of the blade. I am, however, frustrated with the control on my "V" plow. On the touch pad you push a button that changes the mode of "left", "right" buttons to "scoop" and "vee", an indicator light lets you know you are in the "scoop', "vee" mode or not. The problem is, I am plowing in good rythem, I forget what mode I'm in and "vee" my plow instead of angle. I have to stop, back up, reposition the plow and start again. There is plenty to worry about outside the truck without having to look down at the keypad regularly.
I thought a good solution would be a small toggle switch on top of the control so you could feel what mode you are in or a momentary push button that would only allow the plow to "scoop' or "vee" when its depressed would work well. If neither of these options could be made to work maybe a remote LED mounted on the window post or on top of the dash to remind you what mode you are in without having to take your eyes off the road.
I spoke to an engineer at Western and I got the standard "we are currently redesigning a new control, it should be out in a couple of years".
Is this a problem for any one else out there? Have you found a solution you want to share? If so maybe we can find someone to make the necessary changes to our controls at reasonable cost.
:headwall

[bud16415]

Sounds all good to me. Just about anything you can get used to with time just look at the keyboard on your computer. It was laid out that way to keep keys from jamming on typewriters over a hundred years ago. The idea then was to slow down the person by putting keys in different rows and on opposite sides that are commonly used together.
Being an inventor myself I have been doing some research into better snowplow controls also. All the technology is there to do all the things you asked. I bet there will be a lot more input on this thread from others with different sets of wish lists. If you have the skills and the time and the $$$$ why don’t you try finding a spare control and modifying it. There are a whole lot of people here very knowledgeable that will help you out I’m sure.

Bud

By the welcome aboard

[wyldman]

There is a new control out.Take a look here (http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4231) for more information.

[bud16415]

This might be a great idea or a dumb one and never running a Vee / Scoop plow I wouldn’t know. But just off the top of my head I’m thinking of a control with two flipper switches mounted on the face that look just like the blade hinged in the middle each switch would have 3 contacts one up one straight and one down. When you reach down the paddles of the switches would simulate the positions of the blade. I often find that the mind relates instinctively to this type of control. So flip both up scoop both down vee one up one down angle and both in the middle straight.

Ok now you are ether going that’s a great idea or Bud has flipped out.

One other thing I have been contemplating lately is a left foot operated up and down switch. Any thoughts on that?

Bud

[bud16415]

Just one more question.
I just reread snowpusher’s first post and he said something about adding a marker to the center of the plow so he could visually tell when the blade is in the straight position. Am I correct in assuming that these plows don’t have a preset stop thru some form of limit switch etc to stop automatically at the straight home position. Do the guys running these use a full range of intermediate positions in V and Scoop as well as angle?

Bud

[Arc Burn]

Follow wyldmans link,the new contoll is already put and is much easier to use.
Bud,there are no preset "stops",but i hear what your saying.

[Pickering Snow]

Snowpusher

I agree with you 100 percent on the controller last year was the first year with my mvp and i too found myself loosing site of what was going on and what mode i was in honestly i am really not that impressed with my v other than scoop and stacking capabilty there really wasnt any time savings setting in the truck its pretty dam hard to tell if the blade is straight or center. I look at the new controller has just more buttons to have to think about if this was the only truck i drive i might mentally get use to it but i my drive has many has 4 diff setups suring any given storm. I like buds idea of toggle switches another thing having know added the blizzard to the fleet i know have to get use to the fact that up is down and down is up on there controller :confused:

[4evergreenlawns]

Arc,

Do the new Fisher V plow controls match up on the Western MVP plug and work??

[CT18fireman]

Yes

[Arc Burn]

They do interchange and anyone who wanted to swap old for new can do so for a price:D

Fred,I've only installed the new controlls and play with them for a few minutes at a time and they are heads and tails better/easier than the old ones,I don't even look at the controll anymore,it's worth checking out if it's that big a problem with the old.

[ratlover]

You'll take a mode equiped fishstic in on trade? If you say yes you are my new best friend. How much cabbage?

DEATH TO THE MODE BUTTON!

[Arc Burn]

I'll take one for a spare,shoot me an PM if your serious.

[BOUNDS-ELECTRIC]

It will not take long to get used to the control! Once you do, you will not even have to look at it! Western has put all the controls on their own buttons this year!

http://www.westernplows.com/mvp.asp

[Frozen001]

Check out The Boss V-plow hand held control, much better than the fisher or western hand helds (for V's that is), if it was only a bit smaller...

[4evergreenlawns]

Thanks Bound.

Of course they change in one year later. I will be looking into making the change as I will be putting a driver in the truck with the V plow there year and I do remember is was a pain at times. Like other said the wing do move a underload, as they should but it is hard switch the mode trying to the the wings and blade striaght.

Once again the board come up with the answers.