Head Scratcher #11: No Time to Waste

THE CHALLENGE
Cub Cadet, a division of MTD Products, needed help. On a recent new product design, they approached Delta Systems and gave us 16 weeks to propose, design, and supply an upgraded microprocessor-controlled instrument panel for a line of Cub Cadet utility tractors. Delta had performed such feats in the past with switches and hour meters, but this time Cub Cadet challenged Delta to pull it off on a much larger scale.

THE SOLUTION
Delta became an extension to Cub Cadet’s engineering group for the cluster’s industrial and electrical engineering design. Jointly, Delta and Cub Cadet worked out the features and specifications for the finished product. After that, Delta got to work.

There was no time to waste. Delta’s technical team, working in concert with Cub Cadet engineers, came through with working prototypes within the 16-week time frame. Along with meeting the project’s specifications and cost targets, Delta improved the reliability of the product. Not only did the new cluster work for its targeted tractor with a gas or diesel engine, it also worked for a sister model, and resulted in a cost savings for Cub Cadet.