Author: Nick Corbett, Chief Engineer

 

Have a huge summer of outdoor work ahead of you? There’s no better way to efficiently conquer your to-do list than with Gio’s newly upgraded 800cc “Work Horse” UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle)! This rugged and versatile UTV is a true work horse, perfect for hauling, towing, and generally getting things done in tough environments. This vehicle is great for people with large gardens, large acreage, farms, construction sites and more to tackle.

 

The 800cc Work Horse UTV

 

Once again, Gio has come through with a reliable and performance-driven product that matches up to competitors not only in quality, but handily beats them in price. The 800cc three-cylinder, water-cooled gasoline engine perfectly complements a low-set fully independent suspension and spacious two-person cabin.

 

Let’s delve into the reasons this will trim months off that to-do list…

 

Price

It’s been said before, and I’ll say it again: imitation is the best form of flattery. In that vein, one of the best UTVs available is Honda’s Big Red (note: 2010 model not actually available in red). Gio’s Work Horse is largely based off the Big Red, with some notable upgrades. But the main pain point? The price:

 

Gio Work Horse UTV: MSRP $7,999 CAD

Honda Big Red UTV: MSRP $13,599 CAD

 

With significant improvements over Honda’s design, such as a larger engine (796 cc vs. Honda’s 675 cc), the advantage is evident. Many people say you get what you pay for – but in this case, with Gio’s rigid quality control and manufacturing excellence, you are really just paying for the Honda logo on the hood.

 

Improvements over Honda Design

The biggest improvement over Honda’s Big Red design is our selection of a three-cylinder, four-stroke 796cc gasoline engine versus Honda’s single-cylinder, four-stroke 675cc gasoline engine. Larger displacement means more power, and the Work Horse UTV delivers plenty, with maximum 36 horsepower at 5200 rpm. More power means you can haul more, tow more, and get things done faster.

 

You’re doing hard work aren’t you? Then it seems simple – you want the biggest engine available. With excellent fuel consumption, you’re going to be paying the same price for fuel, so why not get more power?

 

Other than the engine, the Honda and the Gio are incredibly similar. There are some small specifications that have been slightly improved in this year’s Gio Work Horse model:

Specification	Gio Work Horse	Honda Big Red
Gross Vehicle Weight	2635 lbs	2621 lbs
Ground Clearance	10.4”	10.3”
Wheel Base	76.8”	75.7”
Bed Capacity	770 lbs	500 lbs
Towing Capacity	1500 lbs	1200 lbs
Fuel Capacity	32 L	29.9 L

 

 

As you can see, the specs are incredibly similar, but in all of the above categories, the Gio Work Horse outdoes the Honda. With incredibly similar Gross Vehicle Weights, it’s the small differences you notice. Such as the slightly higher ground clearance and slightly larger wheel base. A larger wheel base means better stability on dangerous terrain, and the extra little bit of ground clearance could be the difference between scraping the frame on that rock.

 

 

The larger engine leads to some obvious improvements in work efficiency – these can easily be seen in the added bed and towing capacity. The bed capacity is more due to the construction of the frame and suspension – the towing capacity is due to the extra power.

 

And to round things out, the Gio will give you a slightly larger fuel tank, meaning that extra hour of work gets completed without having to stop to refuel.

 

Cabin

The cabin of the Work Horse is a truly accommodating design for two passengers. Designed to be spacious and easy to move in and out of, the comfort this cabin offers is unmatched. Coupled with an incredibly smooth ride from the fully independent suspension, it’s a joy to get work done in the Work Horse.

 

The interior cabin, showing controls and steering

 

The seats include ergonomic headrests made of high quality rubber, mounted on the protective steel frame. The sitting area has two seats with a bench style back, with soft foam bench material perfect for bumping around a construction site.

 

Cabin accessories include a magnetic-locking glove box for storage, a center console tray allowing room for tools or other equipment, cup holder, and a clipboard-style steering wheel for clipping information.

 

One of the cabin accessories – magnetic-locking glove box

 

Safety

The Work Horse was designed with safety in mind. The low center of gravity and wide mounted suspension give the Work Horse great stability over all types of terrain. The six-piece, four-pillar protective cage offers stellar protection for occupants. The steel cage is constructed using 1.6”-diameter tubing, perfect for withstanding a roll, should that ever occur (which is unlikely).

 

In addition to the protective cage, Gio offers protective accessories for the cage free of charge. A thick plastic roof can be easily mounted to the top with vibration-reducing rubber-clad clamps. The rubber clamps provide a quiet, non-rattling ride. As well, a thick clear windshield can also be mounted in a similar fashion, also provided for free. The roof and windshield offer necessary protection against the elements and fast travel. Work environments for this UTV are often very dusty – quite annoying without a windshield.

 

The four-pillar protective cage with vibration-damped windshield and roof

 

Occupants are secured to their seats using three-point Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) seatbelts. These high-quality, high-safety seatbelts are similar to those found on cars and trucks – not often seen in ATVs and UTVs.

 

Braking is provided by four independent high-end hydraulic disc brakes. Large rotors and calipers provide quick, responsive braking. The calipers are oil-bathed to reduce heat buildup. As well the entire system is sealed to prevent debris entering and clogging up brake operation. An easy access foot-pedal type emergency brake is great for safely stopping on hills. It is recommended the emergency brake be engaged whenever stopping on a hill, especially when stopping or starting the engine.

 

In addition to the above safety features, standard ATV safety features are included as well. High intensity headlights allow safe low-light and night operation. Headlights can easily be switched between Low and High Beams. Front and rear turn signals allow others to see what you are going to do. As well, hazard lights are also installed and accessible from the cabin. A loud horn is included, perfect for construction site work.

 

Drive Train / 4WD

One of the best features of the Work Horse is its full four-wheel drive (4WD) 4x4 system. 4WD is a must in heavy-duty, off-road style environments.

 

The underbody showing engine, shock absorber, frame, and transmission

 

4WD indicates just what it says – all four wheels “drive” the UTV, or propel it forward. The Work Horse offers three modes of drive – 2WD, 4WD, and 4WD-LOCK. 2WD is standard and is the fastest and most stable mode for paved or graded terrain. The front wheels are used to steer the ATV while the rear axle is driven and powers the rear wheels at the same rotational speed. Transferring all the power to the rear wheels works well on flat terrain.

 

In 4WD mode, all four wheels receive power from the engine and transmission. The Work Horse features three separate differentials for transferring power to the wheels, coupled by a reinforced and protected drive shaft. 4WD is an essential feature for uneven and unstable terrain, since it is quite possible that not all your wheels will be touching the ground at the same time. In 2WD, if you have only one rear wheel touching the ground, you will have a lot of problems with traction. 4WD fixes this problem by powering every wheel touching the ground. This is going to get you across tough terrain much more easily and give you much better traction and control. As well, pressing any of the brake controls will engage both front and rear brakes simultaneously.

 

4WD is adequate for most terrain, but for the most extreme work, this UTV features 4WD-LOCK. On top of four wheel drive, this mode adds differential locking. Differential locking refers to the operation of a differential, in this case only the front. Locking the front differential ensures that both front wheels rotate at the exact same speed and are essentially “locked” to each other. What difference does this make? This will prevent spinning and slipping of one wheel. In mud, snow, or other slippery conditions, this LOCK mode can be essential for getting through tough terrain. You won’t find your wheels slipping and spinning – your UTV will be able to get over terrain inferior UTVs cannot. LOCK mode is not preferred except in extreme conditions however – it can make turning more difficult and less safe since all wheels move together in unison, making the UTV resist turning. Use it only in low speed, tough terrain conditions.

 

The drive train of this UTV is top-notch, featuring steel alloy construction and highly durable components. The critical components are protected from impact and damage by shielding. Axle boots prevent mud, dirt and grime from getting in critical rotating and sliding components. You can feel comfortable working in the worst muck with this UTV.

 

Engine/Transmission

At the heart of this beastly UTV is its 800cc gasoline engine. Three inline cylinders provide a maximum of 36 hp at 5200 rpm. As soon as you start up this engine up, you’ll feel the low rumble and power it exudes. Meant for hauling and towing huge loads, the engine is designed for torque. What does this mean to your work? Huge low-end power for getting those massive concrete blocks or tree stumps moving.

 

Without sacrificing high-end speed (maximum of 45 mph), the heart of the Work Horse is perfect for towing. A standard ball-end towing hitch allows users to tow a cart, another vehicle, or a trailer behind the Work Horse. Perfect for ripping out stumps and hauling bundles of trees or wood, it’s all due to the huge 800cc engine. You rarely see engines this big put into utility vehicles.

 

The engine is water-cooled and built using high quality construction and manufacturing methods. Tight seals, high-grade piping, and precision CNC machining ensure this engine is low-maintenance and highly-reliable. Ignition is done by a 12V CDI electric start system – just crank it up, even in cold conditions. A large 45 Ah battery provides excellent cranking power and capacity for additional 12V electrical equipment.

 

The transmission is a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) type which features four gears. High and Low Drive allow different gear ratios for either low-end torque or high-end speed. Neutral and Reverse are the other two gears in the CVT. CVTs change steplessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios, instead of being constrained to a limited number of distinct gear ratios. This flexibility allows the UTV’s engine to perform at its optimal RPM for a number of different output velocities. What this means is better fuel efficiency, exhaust emissions and less engine wear.

 

The heavy-duty 4WD CVT transmission with driveshaft

 

As well, CVTs operate very smoothly, meaning there will no jerks when changing gears. This is very important in UTVs, as sudden jerks when switching gears can lead to an UTV flipping or rolling, especially when descending hills. The added safety of a CVT is definitely a great aspect of this UTV.

 

Overall, a great power train allows the Work Horse unmatched performance and reliability.

 

Work Features

Ultimately, the UTV is a great work solution, not just because of its price, safety features, and dependable engine. It’s the versatility that makes the difference. You get the power, torque, and hauling/towing capacity of a pickup truck, but the size and versatility of an ATV. Unlike big diesel pickups, the Work Horse can fit into tight spaces and through unusual terrain such as forests. Try driving your F-150 into the forest – not gonna happen. But with a UTV, you increase your radius of work and limit the amount of stuff you have to haul by hand.

 

The other benefit is the terrain handling capability. The UTV is closer to an ATV than to a car or truck – and it handles like it. Terrain you wouldn’t risk a pickup truck on is easily handled by the Work Horse. Driving it through streams, hilly terrain, or rock covered slopes, the UTV is truly a “terrain vehicle”.

 

But let’s get down to what it can do – tow, haul, and winch.

 

The towing capacity has been discussed a bit above. With a max tow capacity of 1500 lbs, there are not too many things around your yard or construction site that can’t be dragged by the Work Horse. With a proper towing strap, the Work Horse can safely tow anything you want, including trailers, carts, and more.

 

The rear end, showing towing point and dual-wishbone suspension

 

One of the best features is the hydraulically-lifted bed. The 885x1260x250 mm hauling bed features an easy access tailgate and electronic lift controls. The large bed can carry anything, from stones, to dirt, to….well anything! With a maximum capacity of 770 lbs, you’re more likely to fill the bed’s space before its weight capacity. Once you reach your destination, you can easily dump the contents of the bed from the comfort of the cab. Easy-to-use up and down electronic switches in the cab control the bed, which lifts and lower hydraulically.

 

The hydraulically lifted high-capacity bed in raised position

 

I can’t tell you how perfect this feature is for farms and large gardens. It makes it so easy to move soil and other similar material around. And being able to empty it on command saves you from having to shovel everything out.

 

The other great work feature of the Work Horse is its 2500 lbs electronic winch. Securely mounted to the front frame of the UTV, this winch is great for ripping out stumps and trees, moving other vehicles and equipment, and generally eliminating work for you. Be very careful using the winch – improper operation can result in serious injury or even death. But when properly used, a good winch will save hours of time, especially around the garden/acreage. Hauling logs, stumps, and debris from tough to reach places becomes that much easier. Easily controlled from the cab, the winch allows the driver to operate the UTV and the winch while a passenger sets things up.

 

The 2500-lbs front-mounted electronic winch

 

Suspension, Frame, Wheels

In addition to all the great features of the Work Horse UTV, it is solidly built at its core. The suspension and frame provide the backbone for all your hauling and towing, and therefore need to be rock solid. Gio has managed to do that admirably with the Work Horse.

 

The fully independent suspension features double-wishbone style front and rear systems. With large travel and highly-tuned shock absorbers, the ride is smooth and bump-free. The high-end system components include adjustable coil spring shock absorbers featuring oil damping with nitrogen gas. Shock absorber damping can be adjusted, but has been tuned at the factory for handling heavy terrain. When driving the Work Horse around a bumpy construction site, I was quite impressed with how softly it handles all the debris on the ground, and how effortlessly it climbed over larger obstacles. The Work Horse sets the bar for UTV suspension – I can’t see any improvements I would make.

 

The frame itself is built of high-quality steel alloy, combining intense strength with optimized weight. The frame is extra thick, meant for supporting the large 800cc engine and maximum bed/passenger capacity. In the unlikely case that this UTV were to roll over, little damage would be done thanks to the protective passenger cage and thick frame protecting the engine and underside.

 

The extremely sturdy front dual-wishbone independent suspension and steering system

 

The wheels and tires feature similar high quality construction. Large 25x8-12 front and 25x10-12 rear tires are great for getting over any type of terrain or debris. Extra large treads can handle any type of material, whether it is sand, gravel, or mud. The tread is also great for protecting the tires from damaging and sharp debris.

 

Electronics

The Work Horse features a top-of-the-line Digital Information Centre LCD display that features information display and on-Command control. The LCD display is large, bright, and centrally-mounted on the front console. It features:

• Digital speedometer
• Left/right turn light indicators
• Digital tachometer
• Digital clock
• Total mileage
• Subtotal (trip) mileage
• Gear indicator lights (4 – L, H, N, R)
• 4WD-LOCK indicator light
• Digital fuel meter
• 4WD indicator light
• Light position indicator
• High beam light indicator

These features make using your UTV that much easier, letting you know exactly what’s going on and letting you know how to plan your day.

 

The digital information center LCD display

 

Conclusion

The Work Horse UTV is truly the ultimate machine when it comes to power, versatility, and terrain handling. Once you use one, you’ll never go back to your old ways. It really does make getting work done that much easier, faster, and more efficient. Why spend two hours on a project when you can spend one?

 

I would definitely recommend users with large gardens, acreages, farms, or forests to look into UTVs. There are many uses outside those however, such as businesses and construction that require moving things around reliably. It can do so many things that the possibilities are endless, and I’m sure I’ll be hearing about new ones all the time.

 

The quality, size, features and price of the Work Horse UTV make it one of the best out there. Comparable to the Honda Big Red, it outdoes it in many categories, especially price and engine. If you’re looking for that one pivot of your property, look no further than the Work Horse!