workmaster 55

[Teaspoon]

I am interested in knowing about the Workmaster 55 abilities to handle 1200 to 1500 lb. rolls on both the back and on the loader. Of coarse the 4 wd model. Any other pros and cons of this tractor will be helpful as well.
Thanks,
Teaspoon

 

[RollingsFarms]

I have a tractor that is similar in size to the workmaster 55 and can tell you that wouldn't be a problem at all for it to handle. I'm not too familiar with all the options and features of the NH but they seem like a really good tractor!

 

[Teaspoon]

Thanks for the reply. Does your tractor have a loader? Do you use yours to move rolls?

 

[Gary Fowler]

My brother in law has a much smaller NH 2310 (40HP) and it handles 4x5 round bales easily. He has moved a super sack (1500 lbs) of cow feed with it using his bushhog for counterweight. The rear tires were almost floating but it had no trouble with the FEL lifting it. I was surprised. With better counter weight, it would have been super easy. This was using chains on the FEL bucket. If he had removed the bucket and used the QA hay spear to lift it, that would have put the whole thing much closer and less residual weight on the FEL to start with.
You should have no problem using the 55 HP tractor with a bale on the rear and one on the front. Don't use those FEL bucket attached hay spears. They are hard on the bucket AND limit the weight you can lift by hundreds of pounds since it is so far forward plus have to lift the FEL bucket also. Get a QA hay spear and you will be SOOO happy.

 

[Teaspoon]

Wow! That's pretty good! I don't see how it does that. Any other input is welcome... Thanks guys!

 

[RollingsFarms]

Thanks for the reply. Does your tractor have a loader? Do you use yours to move rolls?

It does now. Supposedly rated at 2,930 lbs but it would never pick that much weight up because my tractor is too light in the butt. My friend has the same 553 loader except his is on a 5603 cab model and it picks up round bales like its nothing.

 

[Teaspoon]

So do will your tractor pick up large rolls with the loader without anything on the back?

 

[RollingsFarms]

So do will your tractor pick up large rolls with the loader without anything on the back?

I've never picked up bales with mine. I can tell you that I can get a full scoop of wet clay and my rear end doesn't feel light at all. I also have my rear tires loaded along with a set of rear wheel weights so that helps. If you wanted to you could always pick up a bale on the rear first and then you wouldn't have to worry about it feeling "light".

 

[Teaspoon]

I bet that wet clay isn't light...... You're right I would need to put a roll on the back before lifting up on the front. I'm concerned with how it will handle them on hilly ground. I'm sure if I loaded the back tires and wheel weights that would help. There will be times it will have to pick one up on the front without anything on the back.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I bet that wet clay isn't light...... You're right I would need to put a roll on the back before lifting up on the front. I'm concerned with how it will handle them on hilly ground. I'm sure if I loaded the back tires and wheel weights that would help. There will be times it will have to pick one up on the front without anything on the back.

As long as you take it pretty slow (not crawling across the field but not wide *** open either) you will be fine. Hay farmers around here don't use counter weight on the back, their tractors probably just have loaded rear tires. I've always weighted up my tillage tractors as heavy as I can get them because I want them to be heavy. That's one of the main uses the tractor you see in my avatar is for. Your New Holland dealer won't let you leave out of his office with a tractor that's gonna tip over from being too light in the rear.

 

[Teaspoon]

Yeah, you're right. I'd, hope they wouldn't. Do know any problems people are having with these tractors?

 

[RollingsFarms]

Yeah, you're right. I'd, hope they wouldn't. Do know any problems people are having with these tractors?

I honestly don't know many who own them but I've heard they have the drivetrain of the old TN line which were solid tractors.

 

[vtsnowedin]

I was considering a Workmaster 45 or 55 when I was in the market last spring. They seemed to be light for the horsepower rateing and I wanted a good power to weight ratio. Other then that they have a good reputation and my local dealer was both close by and good to work with. Several neighbors have NHs of varing sizes with no complaints but when I sat on a JD 5045E with a 553 loader there was no comparison and I was all done. Test drive one and you will see what I mean. Oh and the $$$ were almost identical.

 

[Teaspoon]

I have looked at the John Deere 5055E. But the $ difference here is alot. I do like the tractors though.

 

[jinman]

The Workmaster 55 is essentially an economy model of the older TC55DA model but without the Deluxe features. It's a simple, no-frills design meant for work more than pizazz. I would suggest not leaving the 3PH empty when using the FEL to handle bales. At least have the tires loaded. Putting a heavy boxblade on the 3PH also works.

I understand there are times you'd have to use the FEL first for a round bale. If you unload off a truck or double high bale from a stack with a spear on the FEL, only the first bale has to be unloaded with nothing on the 3PH. After you unload one, transfer it to the 3PH and then unload the rest using the one on the 3PH as ballast. So my suggestions are:

1. Don't use the FEL to move a round bale without ballast or a bale on the rear.

2. If you must unload a 1st bale with the FEL, transfer it to the 3PH before continuing.

3. Always transport bales on the FEL with minimum ground clearance. Drop the bale to within a foot of the ground and curl up to keep the bale stable.

4. When unloading a trailer or truck, always have your approach on smooth flat ground if possible. Make sure the ground is firm and the front tires won't sink or one tire sink causing the tractor to lean.

5. When carrying a bale high, move very slowly until you are clear and lower the bale immediately.

6. Transport single bales on the 3PH when possible.

 

[Teaspoon]

Thanks so much this is most helpful! So, you wouldn't be afraid to carry them on the back at all.?.?.

 

[jinman]

Thanks so much this is most helpful! So, you wouldn't be afraid to carry them on the back at all.?.?.

Not at all. Carrying a bale on the 3PH actually reduces the load on the front axle from the bale on the FEL. When you don't have a bale on he FEL, it will provide plenty of ballast to have good front wheel traction. If you ever carry on the rear with the FEL removed, you will probably notice the front end gets light and you'll understeer, but with the FEL on and a bale on the 3PH, you will be fine. The 3PH is stronger than your FEL and has higher lift capacity. That configuration will be the most stable also. The only problem with the 3PH is that you can't lift bales from high on a stack nor place them very high off the ground. You are height limited with the 3PH.