Force America
Ice control electronics and snow removal accessories.
Ice control electronics and snow removal accessories.
Force America builds the spreader controllers, joystick valve banks, hydraulic systems, and telemetry electronics that turn a basic plow truck into a closed-loop ice control program. The platform sits between the chassis hydraulics, the plow / spreader bodies, and the operator: it metes material rate based on truck speed (closed-loop), controls plow angle and lift from joystick, manages pre-wet liquid flow, and logs every event for the fleet manager to review at the end of the route.
The core product is the spreader controller (SSC family, Patrol Commander, 6100ex). Closed-loop control means the auger and spinner motors adjust output continuously based on truck speed, so material rate stays constant whether the truck is at 5 mph in a residential or 35 mph on an arterial. Departments under chloride-discharge or salt-budget pressure use the controller to deliver measurable salt savings per lane mile, typically 15-30 percent depending on the route mix. The joystick / valve bank side controls plow angle, lift, and wing position from one armrest; pre-wet electronics integrate the liquid tank and flow meter. Telemetry uploads route data, controller events, and material usage to the office for post-season review.
Brown Equipment Company integrates Force America electronics as part of a complete BEC plow truck package. Most BEC builds in the past decade run Force America controllers paired with SaltDogg, Buyers, or Swenson spreaders. We stock replacement controllers, joysticks, valve banks, and wiring harnesses at our service centers, and run factory-trained calibration and service across our seven Midwest locations.
- Founded
- 1979
- Headquarters
- Brookfield, WI
- Manufacturer Site
- Visit
- Closed-loop spreader control delivers 15-30 percent salt savings per lane mile vs. open-loop
- Joystick + valve bank consolidates plow angle, lift, wing, and spreader control to one armrest
- Pre-wet electronics integrate liquid tank and flow meter for anti-icing programs
- Telemetry uploads route data, material usage, and controller events for post-season review
- Pairs with SaltDogg, Buyers, Swenson, and most other municipal spreader platforms
- Integrated as part of BEC plow truck package with single warranty contact
- Force America Patrol Commander Controller
- Force America 6100ex Controller
- Force America SSC Spreader Controller Family
- Force America Joystick / Valve Bank Systems
- Force America Pre-Wet Electronics
Force America Equipment Line
Click the product to see full specs, features, and availability.
Keep Your Force America Running
We stock OEM parts and our technicians are factory-trained on Force America equipment.
Force America: Common Buyer Questions
Answers to the questions municipal fleets and contractors ask most often before specifying Force America equipment.
- What is a closed-loop spreader controller and why does it matter?
- A closed-loop controller measures truck speed and adjusts auger and spinner output continuously so material rate stays constant regardless of how fast the truck is moving. An open-loop controller just runs the auger at a fixed speed. The closed-loop version delivers 15-30 percent salt savings per lane mile vs. open-loop on most route mixes, because the truck stops over-applying at low speeds and under-applying at high speeds. For departments under chloride-discharge restrictions or tight salt budgets, the controller pays back inside a season or two.
- Does Force America work with SaltDogg, Swenson, and other spreader brands?
- Yes. The controller talks to the spreader's auger and spinner motors via standard CAN or analog signals, and the platform is brand-agnostic across the common municipal spreader brands (SaltDogg, Swenson, Buyers V-box, Brandon). BEC typically pairs Force America with SaltDogg or Swenson depending on the chassis spec, but the controller works on most installed spreaders.
- What is the difference between the Patrol Commander and the 6100ex?
- Both are closed-loop controllers in the Force America family. The Patrol Commander is the higher-tier system with full joystick / valve bank integration, telemetry uploads, and pre-wet integration. The 6100ex is a mid-tier controller for departments that want closed-loop spreader control without the full joystick / wing plow / pre-wet integration. BEC can scope the right controller to your truck spec and the program you're running.
- Can Force America retrofit to my existing plow truck?
- Yes, in most cases. The platform is designed for retrofit as well as new builds. The retrofit takes a day or two in the shop depending on the chassis age and the existing spreader / plow integration. BEC handles the retrofit and the calibration at our Midwest service centers.
- What is telemetry and what does it give me?
- Telemetry uploads route data, controller events (start, stop, rate changes, pre-wet activation), and material usage from the truck to a cloud dashboard the fleet manager sees in the office. Practical impact: post-season material reconciliation goes from a guess to a number, route compliance is visible, and the data supports chloride-discharge reporting requirements.
- What service and parts support does BEC offer for Force America?
- BEC integrates and services Force America electronics across our seven Midwest locations. Replacement controllers, joysticks, valve banks, and wiring harnesses stock at our service centers. Factory-trained calibration and service. Most stocked items ship same-day upon request from our Indianapolis distribution center.
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