Work Rig Owner

AODES machines for northern Alberta work

Matching AODES PathCross, WorkCross, TrailCross and AlpineCross models to northern Alberta jobs: farm and acreage, oilfield and camp, muskeg and mud, winter cab comfort and snow, and what's included vs what you'd add.

Northern Alberta is hard on machines: long winters, muskeg, gravel lease roads and big distances to service. Here's how the AODES range lines up with the work up here, using AODES Canada's published specs. For the rules on where you can ride, see North AB Trails' Alberta OHV rules guide.

Farm and acreage

  • Fencing, checking cattle, spraying: a PathCross 550 Premium is light and narrow, and has the power steering the Base trims don't. See PathCross 550 trims. AODES hasn't published its towing figure yet.
  • Hauling and towing: a WorkCross 1000-3 lists a 770 lb box and 2,500 lb towing. The 550-2 lists 551 lb and 1,763 lb. See WorkCross compared. Our sister site has a general guide to choosing a farm machine.
  • Around the yard: a TrailCross is low (6 in of clearance) and 2WD, so it's best on gravel and grass. See gas vs electric TrailCross.

Oilfield, camp and business use

Read this before you buy a machine for a lease site, camp or business: AODES Canada's warranty drops to 6 months for commercial use. See AODES commercial use and the warranty. Also check what your employer's or site's safety rules require (helmets, ROPS, seat belts, flags, training) before the machine goes to work.

Muskeg and mud

  • AODES sells PathCross 1000 Mud Pro models (S and L) with a factory radiator relocation and snorkel, mud tires and adjustable coil-over suspension. North AB Trails lists 13 in of clearance for the Mud Pro.
  • The warranty excludes damage from submersion in water, mud or sand, and water damage generally. A snorkel helps the engine breathe. It doesn't extend the warranty. Wash it after every muddy ride, and check the air box and the CVT and diff breathers.

Winter: cabs, cold starts and snow

  • Cab heat: the WorkCross 550-2 HV adds full doors and integrated heat. The 1000-3 HVAC and 1000-6 HVAC add heat and A/C. On a minus-30 morning of feeding, it makes a real difference.
  • Display: the LCD display is covered for only 6 months. Cold and vibration are hard on screens.
  • Snow vehicle: the AlpineCross 1000 is a tracked two-seat machine on skis and a 163-inch track, with AODES's 976cc V-twin, a tall windshield and a 1,500 lb tow rating. AODES pitches it for "extreme cold weather". In Alberta it falls under snow vehicle rules, not wheeled OHV rules. Its warranty column differs too: no rollbar line, and the skis and track are wear items.
  • Winching: PathCross models include a 3,500 lb winch, and the WorkCross 1000 a 4,500 lb winch. The winch is covered for 6 months. Check the rope and the solenoid before freeze-up.

Included vs added

Most AODES models include equipment other brands sell as extras: a winch, hitch, mirrors, LED lights and turn signals, and on WorkCross a roof, light bar and windshield. That leaves less to add. When you do add something, use genuine AODES parts. The warranty ends coverage for non-genuine parts and for modifications beyond non-interfering cosmetic parts. Damage caused by non-AODES attachments isn't covered. Plows, tracks and aftermarket wheels are the big ones to ask about.

Distance to service

Claims need an approval number from the administrator before any repair, and routine service runs every 25 hours or 800 km once you're past the early points. If you ride far from town, plan service visits around your season, and carry a spare belt (belts aren't covered) plus basic tools. Our AODES stores:

Sources

Guides in this section

Our first in-depth guides for this section are being written and fact-checked now. In the meantime, start with the overview above or browse all guides.