Working on some of the most challenging terrain imaginable in Ireland, Clonbur man Peadar Joyce needs all the power he can get in a quad.
Peadar runs a flock of 270 ewes on the side of a mountain in Co Galway, and operates a contracting business which specialises in carrying out all types of work wherever a tractor isn’t fit to travel.
He runs a 963cc, 80hp CF Moto 1000 EPS ATV and specialises in weed-licking, fertiliser and lime spreading.
Running one of the biggest ATVs in the country, Peadar has been contracting for six years, but has vast experience using ATVs.
Peadar Joyce.
He said: “We always had quads on the farm over the years. We initially used Hondas, and later Suzukis when I first started focusing on the contracting work.
“I was always after a bigger machine to match our terrain.
“The issue I had was that most bikes were too compact and narrow – they didn’t have the stability for our terrain.
“Most manufacturers don’t offer quads over 700cc with big wheelbases. I was at the Ploughing Championships a few years ago and I came across the CF Motos.
The CF Moto 1000 EPS ATV churns out a massive 963cc, 80hp.
“Straight away I knew the wheelbase and power was exactly what I was after.”
Shortly after, Peadar tried the ATV and bought an 850 model.
Clocking up 500 hours annually, he said: “The chassis and frame in the 850 was very well put together and was coupled to a bulletproof engine and rugged transmission.
“The bike gave some small electrical issues such as the fuse bases not being strong enough, while the 4WD motor also had to be replaced.
“However, the bike had a serious balance on sloping ground.”
CF Moto 1000 EPS ATV
With 1,000 hours on his two-year-old 850XC EFS model, Peadar upgraded last year to a new CF Moto 1000 EPS ATV. When making the move, he decided to make the step up in power, securing an extra 163cc.
“Both quads are the very same, with the exception of the 1000 EPS model having more power through a bigger bore in the engine.
“You would definitely notice the extra power, and although it’s not always used, it’s great to have it when it’s needed in a tricky situation,” said Peadar.
The 1000 EPS is equipped with a 963cc liquid-cooled four-stroke V-Twin cylinder petrol engine.
Peadar was highly complimentary of the engine, which churns out 80hp. However, he noted that when being worked hard, such a big engine can be very sore on fuel, and would easily burn the 30l tank in a day.
Transmission
This power is transmitted to the wheels through a two-range automatic CVT transmission.
“When changing through ranges, you need to press the foot pedal quite hard for smooth shifting.
Power is transmitted to the wheels through a two-range automatic CVT transmission (P, R, N, H, L).
“I regularly apply grease and WD40 to the selectors, but it probably still doesn’t shift as smooth as my previous Suzuki bike.
“Aside from that, the quad is seriously well geared. It has super torque at very low revs in the low box, which is great for the work I do. I have found the transmission to be bulletproof.
“The original radiator was built from aluminium and it was clogging with dust and chaff during the summer. I would clear it and it would block again 30 minutes later.
“I felt it wasn’t fit for purpose so I got an engineering company to fabricate a copper radiator. It’s able to displace the heat far quicker.
The ATV features LED lights as standard.
“The same as my previous 850 model, the chassis and frame are very rugged, and the machine is very comfortable.
“I think the electrics have improved from the 850, but there are still some minor adjustments needed. The only other area I feel they could improve the quad is by reducing its turning circle,” said Peadar.
“Overall, I’m very happy with the CF Moto. I don’t think there’s anything else in that power and size bracket to compete with it.
“The only negatives are some small electrical issues and the fact the radiator needs to be redesigned.
“Other than that, I think the engine, transmission and build quality is up there with the very best”.
Home -built lime spreader
Over the years, Peadar has seen the struggles of tractors on difficult terrain attempting to spread lime.
With no ATV lime spreader available on the market, Peadar and his brothers decided to build their own machine.
The total build cost of the lime spreader amounted to somewhere in the region of €15,000 to €16,000 plus VAT.
Two ground-driven salt spreaders were purchased in England in 2012 at a cost of £7,500 plus VAT, with the aim of using one for parts.
The machines were stripped down to the chassis. With lots of trial and error and several ideas robbed from the salt spreader and Peadar’s own fertiliser spreader design, a faster gearbox ratio was figured out.
Dimensions, ratios and shaft sizes were confirmed and sent to an engineering firm in Germany which manufactured a bespoke gearbox at a cost of €1,600 plus VAT.
Next up, more trial and error was needed to identify the correct pulley size to drive the spreading disc.
Several attempts were made to fabricate the right-sized spreading disc, with the correct-sized flights at the best offset angle.
Several attempts were also made to fabricate the right-sized spreading disc, with the correct sized flights at the best offset angle.
The chassis was modified to incorporate increased ground clearance. At the time, they also struggled to source a set of wider rims and tyres and ended up buying a set out of Germany at a cost of €600 plus VAT.
The total build cost amounted to somewhere in the region of €15,000 to €16,000 plus VAT. Peadar typically spreads between 400-500t of lime annually.
His typical job is around 7-10t, with the application rate generally around 1.8t/acre at a forward speed of 10-14km/h.
Engine: 963cc liquid cooled 4-stroke V-Twin cylinder.
Power: 80hp.
Transmission: Stepless belt-drive (CVT).
Drive: Switchable 2WD/4WD.
Suspension: Front and rear independent.
Towing capacity: 500kg.
Carrying capacity: 55kg front/40kg rear.
Ground clearance: 11.2in.
Weight: 490kg
Tyres: 27x9x14in (F) / 27x11x14in (R).
Starting price: €11,999 including VAT.
Working on some of the most challenging terrain imaginable in Ireland, Clonbur man Peadar Joyce needs all the power he can get in a quad.
Peadar runs a flock of 270 ewes on the side of a mountain in Co Galway, and operates a contracting business which specialises in carrying out all types of work wherever a tractor isn’t fit to travel.
He runs a 963cc, 80hp CF Moto 1000 EPS ATV and specialises in weed-licking, fertiliser and lime spreading.
Running one of the biggest ATVs in the country, Peadar has been contracting for six years, but has vast experience using ATVs.
Peadar Joyce.
He said: “We always had quads on the farm over the years. We initially used Hondas, and later Suzukis when I first started focusing on the contracting work.
“I was always after a bigger machine to match our terrain.
“The issue I had was that most bikes were too compact and narrow – they didn’t have the stability for our terrain.
“Most manufacturers don’t offer quads over 700cc with big wheelbases. I was at the Ploughing Championships a few years ago and I came across the CF Motos.
The CF Moto 1000 EPS ATV churns out a massive 963cc, 80hp.
“Straight away I knew the wheelbase and power was exactly what I was after.”
Shortly after, Peadar tried the ATV and bought an 850 model.
Clocking up 500 hours annually, he said: “The chassis and frame in the 850 was very well put together and was coupled to a bulletproof engine and rugged transmission.
“The bike gave some small electrical issues such as the fuse bases not being strong enough, while the 4WD motor also had to be replaced.
“However, the bike had a serious balance on sloping ground.”
CF Moto 1000 EPS ATV
With 1,000 hours on his two-year-old 850XC EFS model, Peadar upgraded last year to a new CF Moto 1000 EPS ATV. When making the move, he decided to make the step up in power, securing an extra 163cc.
“Both quads are the very same, with the exception of the 1000 EPS model having more power through a bigger bore in the engine.
“You would definitely notice the extra power, and although it’s not always used, it’s great to have it when it’s needed in a tricky situation,” said Peadar.
The 1000 EPS is equipped with a 963cc liquid-cooled four-stroke V-Twin cylinder petrol engine.
Peadar was highly complimentary of the engine, which churns out 80hp. However, he noted that when being worked hard, such a big engine can be very sore on fuel, and would easily burn the 30l tank in a day.
Transmission
This power is transmitted to the wheels through a two-range automatic CVT transmission.
“When changing through ranges, you need to press the foot pedal quite hard for smooth shifting.
Power is transmitted to the wheels through a two-range automatic CVT transmission (P, R, N, H, L).
“I regularly apply grease and WD40 to the selectors, but it probably still doesn’t shift as smooth as my previous Suzuki bike.
“Aside from that, the quad is seriously well geared. It has super torque at very low revs in the low box, which is great for the work I do. I have found the transmission to be bulletproof.
“The original radiator was built from aluminium and it was clogging with dust and chaff during the summer. I would clear it and it would block again 30 minutes later.
“I felt it wasn’t fit for purpose so I got an engineering company to fabricate a copper radiator. It’s able to displace the heat far quicker.
The ATV features LED lights as standard.
“The same as my previous 850 model, the chassis and frame are very rugged, and the machine is very comfortable.
“I think the electrics have improved from the 850, but there are still some minor adjustments needed. The only other area I feel they could improve the quad is by reducing its turning circle,” said Peadar.
“Overall, I’m very happy with the CF Moto. I don’t think there’s anything else in that power and size bracket to compete with it.
“The only negatives are some small electrical issues and the fact the radiator needs to be redesigned.
“Other than that, I think the engine, transmission and build quality is up there with the very best”.
Home -built lime spreader
Over the years, Peadar has seen the struggles of tractors on difficult terrain attempting to spread lime.
With no ATV lime spreader available on the market, Peadar and his brothers decided to build their own machine.
The total build cost of the lime spreader amounted to somewhere in the region of €15,000 to €16,000 plus VAT.
Two ground-driven salt spreaders were purchased in England in 2012 at a cost of £7,500 plus VAT, with the aim of using one for parts.
The machines were stripped down to the chassis. With lots of trial and error and several ideas robbed from the salt spreader and Peadar’s own fertiliser spreader design, a faster gearbox ratio was figured out.
Dimensions, ratios and shaft sizes were confirmed and sent to an engineering firm in Germany which manufactured a bespoke gearbox at a cost of €1,600 plus VAT.
Next up, more trial and error was needed to identify the correct pulley size to drive the spreading disc.
Several attempts were made to fabricate the right-sized spreading disc, with the correct-sized flights at the best offset angle.
Several attempts were also made to fabricate the right-sized spreading disc, with the correct sized flights at the best offset angle.
The chassis was modified to incorporate increased ground clearance. At the time, they also struggled to source a set of wider rims and tyres and ended up buying a set out of Germany at a cost of €600 plus VAT.
The total build cost amounted to somewhere in the region of €15,000 to €16,000 plus VAT. Peadar typically spreads between 400-500t of lime annually.
His typical job is around 7-10t, with the application rate generally around 1.8t/acre at a forward speed of 10-14km/h.
Engine: 963cc liquid cooled 4-stroke V-Twin cylinder.
Power: 80hp.
Transmission: Stepless belt-drive (CVT).
Drive: Switchable 2WD/4WD.
Suspension: Front and rear independent.
Towing capacity: 500kg.
Carrying capacity: 55kg front/40kg rear.
Ground clearance: 11.2in.
Weight: 490kg
Tyres: 27x9x14in (F) / 27x11x14in (R).
Starting price: €11,999 including VAT.
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