Buying Advice New Holland Workmaster - Anyone got an opinion?

[flyswatterbanjo]

After all was said and done, I ended up with NH Workmaster 55 with 615 loader/bucket, Woods 5 ' Brush Bull, Woods 7' rear blade, loaded tires and chains all for just under $30k. They delivered the set-up about 2 weeks ago and I've been busy grading a few logging roads and moving a mountain of horse manure.

It'll be June before I need to do any real brush cutting.

While a bigger tractor certainly would have made more sense if I were focusing entirely on haying, with the variety of work I'm doing here (more of it in the woods than in the fields) the Workmaster 55 was the right fit. My property is almost entirely on steep slopes (old Vermont hill farm...) so a slightly smaller tractor was the best choice.

I could not be happier with the Workmaster. Simple operation, plenty of power (so far) and a price I could not beat. The dealer where I got the machine has been in business since 1929... that alone made my decision a lot easier!

 

[MR PLOW]

I'm solidly on the fence now between the the NH workmaster 55 and the JD 5055E. But it going to be a at least a few weeks till I'm ready financially to do anything tractor wise.

Bigfoot62 said
"IMHO, economy tractors are fine for people that don't really need or use a tractor.

You are already 'hogging 20 acres and plan to put an additional 20 acres into hay production. I think that you would be well served to set your sights a little higher."

Thing is, I am not a farmer... But I do own 750 acres of mostly wooded clean and green that needs to be maintained. My tractor will be used for log skidding (a lot of log skidding), mowing/brush hogging, cleaning drainage ditches, planting small deer feeder crops, various other small jobs that pop up and maybe some haying on down the road...

And like Flyswatterbanjo I have some very steep slops and tight places I need to get in and out of. Places you really would not want risk taking larger more expensive tractors!

 

[flyswatterbanjo]

I'm solidly on the fence now between the the NH workmaster 55 and the JD 5055E. But it going to be a at least a few weeks till I'm ready financially to do anything tractor wise.

Bigfoot62 said
"IMHO, economy tractors are fine for people that don't really need or use a tractor.

You are already 'hogging 20 acres and plan to put an additional 20 acres into hay production. I think that you would be well served to set your sights a little higher."

Thing is, I am not a farmer... But I do own 750 acres of mostly wooded clean and green that needs to be maintained. My tractor will be used for log skidding (a lot of log skidding), mowing/brush hogging, cleaning drainage ditches, planting small deer feeder crops, various other small jobs that pop up and maybe some haying on down the road...

And like Flyswatterbanjo I have some very steep slops and tight places I need to get in and out of. Places you really would not want risk taking larger more expensive tractors!

I looked at the JD too and for my money, the New Holland offered more. Having no brand allegiance to call my own, it really looked like I was paying more for green paint when all I wanted was a solid tractor, honest dealer and good service down the road (literally: the NW dealer is 8 miles from my front door!).

Good luck!

 

[Bigfoot62]

I'm solidly on the fence now between the the NH workmaster 55 and the JD 5055E. But it going to be a at least a few weeks till I'm ready financially to do anything tractor wise.

Bigfoot62 said
"IMHO, economy tractors are fine for people that don't really need or use a tractor.

You are already 'hogging 20 acres and plan to put an additional 20 acres into hay production. I think that you would be well served to set your sights a little higher."

Thing is, I am not a farmer... But I do own 750 acres of mostly wooded clean and green that needs to be maintained. My tractor will be used for log skidding (a lot of log skidding), mowing/brush hogging, cleaning drainage ditches, planting small deer feeder crops, various other small jobs that pop up and maybe some haying on down the road...

And like Flyswatterbanjo I have some very steep slops and tight places I need to get in and out of. Places you really would not want risk taking larger more expensive tractors!

I hope that what I said was helpful. It was meant to be. My "opinion" (and you did ask for opinions) was not intended to be offensive. Perhaps I should clarify.
I'm not a professional farmer either, but I do spend a lot of time in a tractor seat. For example, each cutting, it takes two days for me to mow my 60 acres of hay meadows, plus another couple of days to rake, bale, and move it into the barn. It also takes about two days, twice each year, to rennovate the hay meadows.
I would guess that most people use a tractor less than 50 hours per year. I have three tractors and I average a combined total of 250-350 hours per year. (over the past seven months, I've logged more than 120 hours, just on the new 5085) If you are going to spend multiple hours operating that tractor, then I cannot express how much difference it will make. Again, I would say that economy tractors are fine for people that don't really use them. If you'll never spend the whole day on your tractor, then it might not matter to you.
JMHO

Now, as my old pastor would say, "That and 50 cents will get you a half a cup of coffee in some places."

 

[notmuch69]

It seems like people are spoiled these days. I remember using a Ford 801 and an Allis Chalmers WD for 80 acres of hay farming, logging, and everything else on the farm. Now it seems like people need 100+ HP, cab, AC, and 4wd to do the same thing. Seems like a lot of money wasted.
The Workmasters seem like a good idea.
One question I do have is where the rear end on the Workmasters and TT series came from, with the planetary drive or whatever it's called. Ford never had those in the past.

 

[chumly2071]

I've spent some time on the old TT series and a little on the new workmasters. I personally wouldn't buy one for myself if I was in the market. I'd spend a little extra and step up a series or two and get into the T or TD (or whatever CNH has renamed them to for this model year). just my preference after some seat time.

 

[tractor71]

You and I are in the exact same predicament and I mean to the T!!! I was looking at Boomer 50's when I started explaining to the salesman what all I wanted to do and the amount of acreage I have. And his reply was you need more tractor than a CUT.

He also suggested the workmaster 55. Your and my needs for a tractor are exactly the same. I test drove the WM 55 and the Boomer 8n and they are both sweet machines.

Quoted me 28,196.00 OTD for the WM 55 with Rimgaurd fluid in tires and 615 quick attach louder w/ 72' bucket.

And 33,337.00 for the 8n with 250tc 72" quick attach bucket and rimguard fluid filed tires.

I should add I also briefly looked at a JD 5055E. I can get a much better deal on this tractor as around here JD is king. I have three different JD dealers within a 20 mile radius compared to the one New holland dealer. AND THE JD SEEMS TO SPEC OUT MUCH BETTER!!! But **** am I the only one who thinks that damned green and yellow is the most offensive and ugly color combo in the world! I'm serious I just can't get past it. If i bought a JD I would have to repaint it some other color.

I just signed the papers on Workmaster 55 4x4 FEL QD Bucket, Grill guard and Water/Antifreeze in tires $24,644.00 no other fees except Insurance.
Central,NC

 

[foreman Etexas]

Co-worker just bought a workmaster 55 and has had nothing but trouble been in the shop 3 different times and has under 60hrs. Electrical issues wouldnt ever start,had to brake tractor in half to replace main seal,and 4x4 whinning really loud still in shop havent heard whats wrong yet. I paid 2000 more for my kubota m5040 it has only 92hrs but no issues yet to date,the m5140 is the newer model.

 

[JD3520Turbo]

I went and drove a WM 55 with a Westendorf TA26 loader on it. The loader, in my opinion was to large for this tractor. It responded very slow, like there was not enough volume moving through the tractor. Also, in reverse, the planetarys were very loud. I tried another one there just to make sure it was not just the tractor, and they both did the same thing. The shuttle worked as you would think it should and the engine was smooth as silk. However, coming from a JD3520 ehydro, I realized that I have been spoiled by certain features, like a suspension seat that absorbs shock and helps you up, and a fit and finish that is better than the WM. I realize the WM is a value priced machine to reach a specific market, but I am not sure that is my market.

It probably would have been much better with a NH loader in it that is made for it's capabilities. I think that I need to look at the T40420 or a PowerStart 4.75. That might be more of what I am expecting.

 

[tractor71]

I went and drove a WM 55 with a Westendorf TA26 loader on it. The loader, in my opinion was to large for this tractor. It responded very slow, like there was not enough volume moving through the tractor. Also, in reverse, the planetarys were very loud. I tried another one there just to make sure it was not just the tractor, and they both did the same thing. The shuttle worked as you would think it should and the engine was smooth as silk. However, coming from a JD3520 ehydro, I realized that I have been spoiled by certain features, like a suspension seat that absorbs shock and helps you up, and a fit and finish that is better than the WM. I realize the WM is a value priced machine to reach a specific market, but I am not sure that is my market.

It probably would have been much better with a NH loader in it that is made for it's capabilities. I think that I need to look at the T40420 or a PowerStart 4.75. That might be more of what I am expecting.

Ok I looked for 2 months a bought a Workmaster55 4X4 FEL. My loader is a 615 NH. I think the workmanship on the NH is good. Cat 2 heavy hitch in the rear. The simply design was a plus (WHY DO I NEED DIGITAL DASH?). And another thing what idiot thought it was a good idea to make a tractor with plastic fenders and hood? The Workmaster has steel and it is heavier than the Kubota. This is my opinion and the price was a plus.
At the end of the day the month payment was less than $50 a month difference in every tractor I looked at. The New Holland was the best tractor for me and the dealer is great. :thumbsup: