NH Workmaster 45 with starting problems

[Qapla]

Our tractor was being used to brush hog the field. It began to show a little rise in temp so my BIL drove it back to the barn to clean the radiator screen - it was covered with dust and five debris. At the time he parked it, it was running just fine. He turned off the tractor and cleaned it and was heading back to the field.

When he climbed on and turned the key - nothing! The dash will still light up and the fuel solenoid still activates. However, even with the clutch in, the tractor out of gear and the PTO off - nothing!

I looked at it and found a couple things:

• The tractor will start and run just fine if I jump the starter
• The transmission safety switch is connected
• The clutch safety switch had the wires pulled (it is located under the tractor)

I freed the wires that had been pulled from the switch. Only thing is, if I separate them to be sure they are not touching - nothing. If I twist them together - nothing.

Any ideas would be appreciated

 

[Peter 315]

Maybe a fuse .....:2cents:

 

[Qapla]

We checked all the fuses we could find and they are all good - are there some hidden somewhere?

 

[r porter]

seat switch?

 

[kirkawilson]

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...rating/159571-nh-tc35d-bad-safety-switch.html

 

[Qapla]

From what we found and what we were told from the tractor place where the tractor was bought ... there are two safety systems. One involves the seat safety switch and actually turns the fuel solenoid off. If the seat switch is not working, the tractor should still "turn over" but will not start (or keep running). We had that problem a while back and the seat switch has been bypassed for some time.

The tractor will run just fine if you jump the starter. However, with the current problem, the motor will not turn over at all from the key. The seat switch is not involved in the starter circuit ... it is connected to the fuel circuit.

Our understanding is that the clutch and transmission switches are in the starter circuit and the PTO and seat switch are in the fuel circuit. That is why the tractor will still run if we jump the starter and no one is in the seat ... it will do that just fine. Our current problem is we cannot get the starter to engage at all ... no voltage is being sent to the "actuator" side of the starter.

 

[kirkawilson]

Could be the key (ignition) switch or a bad relay. I had to replace the neutral start relay on my NH1920 and it solved most of my starting problems. If you call Messick's, they are known to give some great repair advice.

 

[Qapla]

@kirkawilson thanks - We did wonder about the key ignition switch - especially since my BIL broke the key off in the switch. We have a new switch and will see when we can get it installed.

 

[Pat Farms]

I have a 2017 Workmaster 60 and had starting issues.

Ended up being the neutral switch on the Hi-Lo range lever.

Apparently this is a common issue with Workmaster. The repair guy came out had several on hand in his truck.

 

[Qapla]

Thought I'd post an update - due to extenuating circumstances, we were not able to get back to trying to fix the tractor until yesterday. In the meantime, my BIL has been "jumping" the starter to use the tractor.

We replaced the key switch and it did not help.

We ended up installing a push button start switch and that works. We will probably still try to find the actual culprit since the push button bypasses the "in gear" safety switch. However, in the meantime, the tractor is needed to turn ground.

Anyone know where the "neutral start relay" (as @kirkawilson suggested) is located?