Over the past decade, there has been an influx of Chinese manufactured agricultural equipment making its way into the Irish and European markets. This kit has primarily been loaders, telescopic handlers and mini diggers, but tractors, GPS systems, quads and UTVs are also making large inroads into the EU agricultural sector. Some of these brands have disappeared almost as quickly as they land, while others seem to be standing the test of time.
Aodes ATVs and UTVs is a Chinese brand that made its Irish debut at the Ploughing last September, imported and distributed in the Republic of Ireland by Galway-based, Noel Turley Auto Sales. Aodes is headquartered in Shandong, China, and claims more than 30 years of expertise in off-road innovation.
The firm’s UTVs stood out to many who viewed them at the Ploughing, impressing with build quality, but most importantly its pricing in comparison to the established, more premium brands.
Why Aodes?
Last August, the team at Westmount Farming hit the road with the intention of buying a used UTV for the farm. Up until then, they had been using older 4x4 pickups, with the last vehicle being a Nissan Navara. The primary use for this type of vehicle on the farm was going for the cows morning and evening, fencing and other day-to-day work around the farm.
“The idea of using an old jeep on the farm is great, but in reality there’s a flat tyre or battery one day, and another day maybe it’s the starter or the alternator that’s giving trouble. We just found older jeeps to be a little unreliable. We felt that a quad would be a little on the unsafe side, especially if relief milkers sometimes went for cows, so the decision was made to buy a UTV, ideally something used,” explained Dylan Connell.
Their first stop brought them to see a used John Deere Gator, followed by a used Kubota UTV. Both had quite a bit of work done, however with some wear and tear evident, while the asking price of both was north of €22,000. Stop number three brought them to look at a new Aodes UTV.
“Our first impressions of the Aodes UTV was that we were impressed with the build quality and the additional spec the machine came with, at the price point. We were getting a full-spec UTV for half the price of a new, premium brand. We weren’t looking to put a huge workload on the machine, so for what we wanted the machine to do, and the price point it came at, it was a no-brainer for to buy the Aodes,” said Dylan.
Dylan likes the control layout and finish inside the cab.
Engine and transmission
Over the years, Aodes has expanded its engine portfolio to include single and V-twin platforms from 110cc to 1,000cc, as well as green electric power units. The brand now delivers a wide range of vehicles, including ATVs, UTVs, snowmobiles, golf carts, and e-vehicles.
The Workcross 650-3 is powered by an 649cc, in-house built Aodes petrol engine. This is a V-twin, four-stroke liquid-cooled engine. “For the work we do with the UTV, we don’t need big power. The Workcross seems to have an abundance of power, it’s always raring to go. However, like any petrol engine, when you give it the shoe, it will use a lot of fuel. Similar to other petrol machines, it is loud when moving up the speeds, and it tends to run at a higher rpm”, explained Dylan.
Driving in 2WD as standard, the UTV has the option of 4WD, and features independent dual A-arm independent suspension on front and rear axles and features hydraulic dampening shock.
Dylan was quick to note the comfort of the Workcross, and also praised its traction in the field. The machine is equipped with a CVT transmission, with a rated top speed of 90km/h.
Dylan Connell.
Cab
“The cab is very well finished inside. The controls are well laid out. It has everything you want/need. It comes with three seats and a heater as standard. Early in the mornings, the windscreen tends to be fogged up with condensation, and it would take the heater 10 minutes to clear it. If we’re in a rush to get going, we just open out the front windscreen, which is a handy feature,” he said.
Aodes build the cab as standard with full glass doors and a roll down window on each door. Dylan noted the locking mechanism on the doors has proved a little gimmicky and a small amount of water is seeping into the cab through the doors from the roof, which he puts down to a sealing issue. The ability of the rear cargo box to carry equipment is one of his biggest likes. It has a carrying capacity of 454kg, and the rear unit tips. It also comes as standard with a front-mounted winch and full LED lighting.
The Workcross has a towing capacity of 660kg.
Verdict
“We took delivery of the Aodes Workcross in September last year. The UTV was bought for a job, and it functions the way it should to do this work. Other more perceived premium brands were costing twice the price of this machine, to do the same job. Thinking logically, you couldn’t but buy this UTV.
“The UTV has good ground clearance, is good in the field and is very comfortable. The petrol engine runs a little loud, and there are some sealing issues on the cab. Overall, to be fair, we are happy with the build quality. Time will tell whether or not it was a good investment. We won’t be able to make that call until it has a lot more work done.
“However, as things stand, we think it was value for money and we’d buy one again – it’s perfect for what we want it to do,” said Dylan.
LED lights are fitted as standard.
Machine spec:
Engine: 649cc, Aodes petrol engineTransmission: CVT transmission.Top speed: 90km/h.Weight: 1,165kg.Towing capacity: 660kg.Cargo box capacity: 454kg.Fuel tank: 48l.List price: €15,995 plus VAT.
Over the past decade, there has been an influx of Chinese manufactured agricultural equipment making its way into the Irish and European markets. This kit has primarily been loaders, telescopic handlers and mini diggers, but tractors, GPS systems, quads and UTVs are also making large inroads into the EU agricultural sector. Some of these brands have disappeared almost as quickly as they land, while others seem to be standing the test of time.
Aodes ATVs and UTVs is a Chinese brand that made its Irish debut at the Ploughing last September, imported and distributed in the Republic of Ireland by Galway-based, Noel Turley Auto Sales. Aodes is headquartered in Shandong, China, and claims more than 30 years of expertise in off-road innovation.
The firm’s UTVs stood out to many who viewed them at the Ploughing, impressing with build quality, but most importantly its pricing in comparison to the established, more premium brands.
Why Aodes?
Last August, the team at Westmount Farming hit the road with the intention of buying a used UTV for the farm. Up until then, they had been using older 4x4 pickups, with the last vehicle being a Nissan Navara. The primary use for this type of vehicle on the farm was going for the cows morning and evening, fencing and other day-to-day work around the farm.
“The idea of using an old jeep on the farm is great, but in reality there’s a flat tyre or battery one day, and another day maybe it’s the starter or the alternator that’s giving trouble. We just found older jeeps to be a little unreliable. We felt that a quad would be a little on the unsafe side, especially if relief milkers sometimes went for cows, so the decision was made to buy a UTV, ideally something used,” explained Dylan Connell.
Their first stop brought them to see a used John Deere Gator, followed by a used Kubota UTV. Both had quite a bit of work done, however with some wear and tear evident, while the asking price of both was north of €22,000. Stop number three brought them to look at a new Aodes UTV.
“Our first impressions of the Aodes UTV was that we were impressed with the build quality and the additional spec the machine came with, at the price point. We were getting a full-spec UTV for half the price of a new, premium brand. We weren’t looking to put a huge workload on the machine, so for what we wanted the machine to do, and the price point it came at, it was a no-brainer for to buy the Aodes,” said Dylan.
Dylan likes the control layout and finish inside the cab.
Engine and transmission
Over the years, Aodes has expanded its engine portfolio to include single and V-twin platforms from 110cc to 1,000cc, as well as green electric power units. The brand now delivers a wide range of vehicles, including ATVs, UTVs, snowmobiles, golf carts, and e-vehicles.
The Workcross 650-3 is powered by an 649cc, in-house built Aodes petrol engine. This is a V-twin, four-stroke liquid-cooled engine. “For the work we do with the UTV, we don’t need big power. The Workcross seems to have an abundance of power, it’s always raring to go. However, like any petrol engine, when you give it the shoe, it will use a lot of fuel. Similar to other petrol machines, it is loud when moving up the speeds, and it tends to run at a higher rpm”, explained Dylan.
Driving in 2WD as standard, the UTV has the option of 4WD, and features independent dual A-arm independent suspension on front and rear axles and features hydraulic dampening shock.
Dylan was quick to note the comfort of the Workcross, and also praised its traction in the field. The machine is equipped with a CVT transmission, with a rated top speed of 90km/h.
Dylan Connell.
Cab
“The cab is very well finished inside. The controls are well laid out. It has everything you want/need. It comes with three seats and a heater as standard. Early in the mornings, the windscreen tends to be fogged up with condensation, and it would take the heater 10 minutes to clear it. If we’re in a rush to get going, we just open out the front windscreen, which is a handy feature,” he said.
Aodes build the cab as standard with full glass doors and a roll down window on each door. Dylan noted the locking mechanism on the doors has proved a little gimmicky and a small amount of water is seeping into the cab through the doors from the roof, which he puts down to a sealing issue. The ability of the rear cargo box to carry equipment is one of his biggest likes. It has a carrying capacity of 454kg, and the rear unit tips. It also comes as standard with a front-mounted winch and full LED lighting.
The Workcross has a towing capacity of 660kg.
Verdict
“We took delivery of the Aodes Workcross in September last year. The UTV was bought for a job, and it functions the way it should to do this work. Other more perceived premium brands were costing twice the price of this machine, to do the same job. Thinking logically, you couldn’t but buy this UTV.
“The UTV has good ground clearance, is good in the field and is very comfortable. The petrol engine runs a little loud, and there are some sealing issues on the cab. Overall, to be fair, we are happy with the build quality. Time will tell whether or not it was a good investment. We won’t be able to make that call until it has a lot more work done.
“However, as things stand, we think it was value for money and we’d buy one again – it’s perfect for what we want it to do,” said Dylan.
LED lights are fitted as standard.
Machine spec:
Engine: 649cc, Aodes petrol engineTransmission: CVT transmission.Top speed: 90km/h.Weight: 1,165kg.Towing capacity: 660kg.Cargo box capacity: 454kg.Fuel tank: 48l.List price: €15,995 plus VAT.
SHARING OPTIONS