Thursday, 07 February 2019 14:05

X400 EPS LE: A reliable, basic farm quad

Written by  Mark Daniel
CF Moto’s X400. CF Moto’s X400.

Manufacturers may spend lots of time and money promoting their ‘hero’ models, but many potential customers are just looking for a basic hack.

If that’s you, the X400 EPS LE from CFMoto might be worth a closer look, given that the ride-away price is $6990+gst, and the distributor will throw in $1000 of accessories. 

Dairy News rode one during the holidays.

Based on a 400cc single cylinder, 4-stroke/4-valve motor pushing out a moderate 30hp or so, the lively, fuel-injected motor is coupled with a heavy-duty, Canadian CV Tech transmission that offers low, high, neutral, reverse and park choices. The latter position also combines with a neat mechanical transmission lock, operated by a separate key; this should deter opportunist thieves and keep insurance companies happy.

With its double A-arm suspension at the front and rear, the 400 offers a comfortable ride with a wide, well-upholstered seat combining with rising handlebars, with guards and wide-grippy footplates to create a stable triangle.

Traction is maintained with the choice of 2WD, 4WD and a diff-lock on the front axle to ensure onfarm terrain of all sorts is tackled easily, and the bonus of a factory fitted front winch means you shouldn’t have to phone a friend or walk home.

Progress is nimble in all conditions, with the machine reaching its top speed of 80km/h quickly, helped by the modest dry weight of only 345kg. 

Electric power steering allows easy control particularly in tight conditions, and the system still gives good feedback even at higher speeds.

Stopping is by front and rear disc brakes, fed by braided brake lines, while the heavy-duty transmission also imparts a good degree of engine braking when the throttle is released down-hill.

At the rear a handy storage locker sits above the standard 50mm receiver, offering a towing capacity of 350kg, and front and rear carrying racks hold 35 and 70kg respectively.

The accessory package includes a heavy-duty front-end protection/bull-bar fitment that should protect against grumpy animals or immoveable objects. 

The standard alloy wheels are fitted with 6-ply mud tyres with an aggressive tread pattern designed to tackle the conditions typically found on livestock farms, particularly in winter.

CFMoto

- Formed in Zhejiang China in 1989

- At least 3000 dealerships worldwide

- Annually produce 800,000 engines and 600,000 vehicles

- 10% of revenue spent on R&D.

More like this

Good just got great

Already well respected in the UTV sector for performance, reliability and a competitive price point, CFMOTO has upped the ante in the middleweight sector with the arrival of the UFORCE 600 Farm Spec model.

Quads aimed at the switched-on youth market

After making major ground in the ATV and side-by-side markets in New Zealand over the last few years, CFMOTO is branching into the youth quad market with two allnew machines – including an all-electric version.

Worksafe wants quad bike issues sorted

Worksafe New Zealand’s chair says he’s asked the senior managers at his organisation to try to broker a deal with farmers over the carrying of passengers on quads.

Featured

NZEI unhappy with funding cut for teachers

Education union NZEI Te Riu Roa says that while educators will support the Government’s investment in learning support, they’re likely to be disappointed that it has been paid for by defunding expert teachers.

EU regulations unfairly threaten $200m exports

A European Union regulation ensuring that the products its citizens consume do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation worldwide threatens $200m of New Zealand beef and leather exports.

Bionic Plus back on vet clinic shelves

A long-acting, controlled- release capsule designed to protect ewes from internal parasites during the lambing period is back on the market following a comprehensive reassessment.

National

Top ag scientist to advise PM

A highly experienced agricultural scientist with specialist knowledge of the dairy sector is the Prime Minister's new Chief Science Advisor.

Machinery & Products

Hose runner saves time and effort

Rakaia-based equipment manufacturer Pluck’s Engineering will soon start production of a new machine designed to simplify the deployment and retrieval…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Science fiction

OPINION: Last week's announcement of Prime Minister’s new Science and Technology Advisory Council hasn’t gone down too well in the…

Bye bye Paris?

OPINION: At its recent annual general meeting, Federated Farmers’ Auckland province called for New Zealand to withdraw from the Paris…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter