Diarmuid Delaney, based near Rathdowney, Co Laois, milks 40 spring-calving cows, keeping all calves to beef.
After knocking 20 years from a Massey Ferguson 30e industrial tractor, Diarmuid finally had to park the machine after his local mechanic retired. Though Diarmuid has a Case IH JXU95 with a front-end loader, all feeding, cleaning of sheds and yard scraping duties were bestowed upon the 30e.
Looking to the market for a replacement, it soon became obvious, with the budget he had in mind, that he had two options: buy a 10-plus-year-old premium-branded loader, or opt for a new, Chinese-built loader. His ideal machine also had to fit into many of his low and narrow sheds.
Diarmuid noted this left him with fewer options among the higher-end brands, but there was an abundance of Chinese machines to choose from. After weighing up his options, he decided to buy a new Adare 830 from Cooke Agri in Urlingford, Co Kilkenny. He received the new machine in April 2024, after a month-long delay due to a closure at the Suez Canal.
Who is Adare?
The Adare loader range is built in China and distributed in Ireland by Adare Hire in Co Limerick. Adare Hire first imported wheel loaders from China in 2017, and the firm has since retailed a sizeable 420 machines throughout the country.
The company began importing Chinese machines through a Polish company named Schmidt. The first loaders were acquired for its hire fleet, but it said that, based on customer feedback, there was a market in Ireland to retail these machines, mainly for work such as feeding livestock. In 2021, the Limerick firm began dealing with a Chinese manufacturer, which produces all the mini loaders it said it previously retailed as the Schmidt brand.
These are now sold under its own ‘Adare’ brand. Today, Adare Hire offers the Adare, Haihong and Winston loader brands, depending on the size, type of machine and the budget people have to spend
Was it worth the money?
The Adare 830 is one of 10 models available within the Adare range.
These machines range from 22hp with a 590kg lift capacity to the flagship 73hp machine with a 2.5t lift capacity.
The 830 is described as an ideal machine for customers who require a compact loader to access tight spaces but still require a lift capacity of 1.5t to handle silage bales. The Adare 830 is supplied with a 37hp, three-cylinder Kubota engine that is married up to a Bondioli & Pavesi two-speed hydrostatic transmission and hydraulic system. The hydrostat features two ranges: a low range from 0-10km/h, and the high range, from 0-21km/h. The loader’s hydraulic functions feature a flow rate of 50l/min.
With an operating weight of 3,200kg, the loader is plated to lift 1,500kg.
With a ground clearance of 250mm, the loader is 3,670mm long, 2,300mm high and is 1,520mm wide on the oversize 19.0/45-17 tyres, which is the widest option available.
The cab features a full LED lighting offering, including a light bar at the front and rear. The loader comes with an extra rear counterweight, a hydraulic quick hitch, third-service hydraulic lines, a heater, a radio and a reversing camera.
This machine with the above specification, supplied with a bucket, retails at €31,500 plus VAT.
How is it performing?
“I have clocked up 1,200 hours on the loader since April 2024, all of which have been trouble-free,” Diarmuid said.
“The machine was bought solely based on a budget, and it has done exactly what I have asked it to. It’s very compact and tidy, which is essential for my yard, but it’s well fit to lift and feed out bales of silage.
“I’m happy with the build quality and the paintwork. I would rate the hydraulics as being very responsive and even say they are faster than my Case IH JXU95.
“The loader is well-balanced for yard work, albeit you need to take it easy when lifting a bale of silage at full height, which is expected. With the oversize wheels and its light weight, it’s very good on soft ground.
“The cab offers good visibility, and the control layout is straightforward.
“I have two issues with the cab: firstly, it’s too narrow. You will catch your hand off the right-hand-side door frame when working the control joystick. To be fair, you can open the side door by a couple of inches onto a stopper latch, which alleviates this problem.
“Secondly, it could do with a more comfortable seat. I find it grand around the yard, but once you go up the road or onto rough ground, it can be a little on the bouncy side.
“When I was buying the machine, I definitely was sceptical on whether it was the right move to make or not. But now, I’m delighted with it; it hasn’t given me any bother. I have only replaced one LED light since the day it arrived.
“The Kubota engine is reliable and the transmission is very smooth. I think dealer backup is something that’s very important, and this played a big role in me making the jump to a Chinese-built machine on day one.
“Cooke Agri come out to my yard and service it here. If I ever have any questions, they are just at the other end of the phone; that’s worth a lot.
“It’s a machine that might not suit everyone, but it suits me. It gave me a chance to purchase a new loader, which wouldn’t have been possible with one of the well-known European brands. I grease it regularly, it’s serviced on time, and my plan is to try mind it as best I can and run it on long term.”
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