Built to Fit: Marlin’s Most-Used Components Across Ag & Construction

Not One-Size-Fits-All: Marlin’s Most-Used Components in Ag & Construction

When it comes to control systems in agriculture and construction equipment, the most-used Marlin component isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. That’s because our solutions are tailored to the evolving needs of OEMs—and those needs can vary widely across applications, timelines, and technological advancements.

Legacy vs. Modern: A Look at What’s in the Field

Agriculture:

• Legacy Use (10+ years): Custom-designed controllers, power distribution units (PDUs), and fuse panels have long been staples for ag OEMs. These components have provided exactly what the equipment needed, in rugged formats that lasted.
• Recent Trends (Last 5 Years): These industries have moved toward more integrated solutions. Our combination display/keypad/controllers have gained popularity for their multifunctional capability and space-saving design.

Construction:

• Legacy Use: Small valve controllers that we manufacture for large hydraulic valve manufacturers remain widely deployed. These provide precise control in compact formats.
• Recent Trends: Construction OEMs are increasingly turning to custom keypads, digital relays, and CAN bridges—flexible solutions that help manage complexity and customization across machine platforms.

Why These Components Matter

Each of these components solved a specific, often critical problem for OEMs. In many cases:

• No off-the-shelf solution met the unique technical requirements.
• Competing supplier products couldn’t keep up with demand or failed quality expectations.

That’s where Marlin shines—developing custom solutions when no one else can.

What Complements These Components?

Besides a sharp cheddar? (We’re Wisconsin based; we’ll allow it. 🧀)

More seriously, many of our Legend Keypads, M-Flex controllers, and Power Distribution Blocks pair naturally with these components—bringing greater functionality, customization, and integration to complex systems.

What’s New with M-Flex?

Our M-Flex family opens the door to more flexible, standardized control options:

• As the product matures, functionality increases, attracting new customers looking for reliable, programmable solutions.
• Many OEMs still need customization, and M-Flex often becomes a launchpad for more tailored designs.
• With newer versions, OEMs can now order one part number and deploy different configurations across product lines—simplifying logistics while enabling feature-rich machine controls.

In Summary

There’s no single answer to the question, “What’s the best Marlin component for agriculture and construction use?”—and that’s a good thing. Our customers span from legacy custom products, new innovations, and everything in between. Whether it’s a custom controller or a high-tech CAN bridge, Marlin is proud to provide the right components to solve the right problems—every time.

Want to learn how Marlin’s solutions can work for your application? Let’s talk.