New Holland Workmaster 40

[JeremyBX2200]

So the BX is currently out of commission and I have a project I needed to finish up. The local rental place had a New Holland Workmaster 40 I could rent, so I went for it. I have been researching and am thinking I will upgrade from my BX to an L in the semi-near future. The Workmaster 40 appeared to be similar to the L so I thought it would give me a chance to test it out.

When I first got on it and started working it felt really big, but after an hour or so I felt comfortable.
Second, it was an HST tractor but had individual forward/reverse pedals. I know some people don’t like the single peddle on the Kubotas, but the 2 pedal setup was very uncomfortable.
The extra size/weight/power was nice. Jobs seemed to take a lot less time. Unfortunately, it had a SSQA and the rental place had put a CAT skid steer bucket on it. It made the bucket angle incorrect. The level indicator was incorrect and the bucket was floppy. The mismatch also made it so it had trouble lifting a full bucket.
Fuel tank was only 7.5 gallons so it required refilling and the location made it a pain to use my normal 5 gallon cans.

Overall I was able to get more done in the allotted time than I could have with my BX and my main complaints would be taken care of with a Kubota L.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Is that a workman or workmaster? Assuming it close to 3k lbs, would think that’s enough to notice.

 

[JeremyBX2200]

Is that a workman or workmaster? Assuming it close to 3k lbs, would think that’s enough to notice.

You are correct. I will need to edit. It is a work master

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Is that roughly the same size as the standard Ls / JD 3 series?

 

[JeremyBX2200]

Is that a workman or workmaster? Assuming it close to 3k lbs, would think that’s enough to notice.

edited for accuracy. Yes, it is 3000lbs and 40hp. I was disappointed when using it to lift dirt and gravel, but I know lift has more to do with hydraulic pressure hp. My BX lift a full bucket of gravel/dirt just fine. I think the incorrect bucket played an issued. Probably a mismatch. It only had 115 hours on it and had some weird feature issues. Mostly the 3pt lowering and the speed adjustment on it. It would stop lowering and I would have to turn the know to make it lower fast and then it would work for a while. Had more quirks than I would expect from a 114 hr tractor.

 

[JeremyBX2200]

Is that roughly the same size as the standard Ls / JD 3 series?

I believe so. It is a few hundred pounds heavier. A little over 3000 lbs while the L series HST is just under 3000 lbs. It’s a 40hp tractor, so more go than the lower L series. I noticed the extra weight. I didn’t notice the extra power and lift capacity as much. Although the bucket held a lot more material,

 

[NCL4701]

The modern versions of the Work Master series are pretty nice tractors IMO. That bucket though… looks like it’s wearing the tractor version of clown shoes. Suspect it would perform notably better with an appropriately matched bucket.

 

[JeremyBX2200]

The modern versions of the Work Master series are pretty nice tractors IMO. That bucket though… looks like it’s wearing the tractor version of clown shoes. Suspect it would perform notably better with an appropriately matched bucket.

That’s what was thinking. I wish I would have noticed before and requested the correct bucket. I asked about it when I dropped it off and was told they should have the correct bucket and didn’t know why they put the wrong one on.

My biggest gripe were the HST pedals. Maybe if the seat could have gone back more it wouldn’t have been so bad, but as it was it was very uncomfortable.

The tilt steering wheel as nice and the cruise worked well when I was tilling.

 

[SDT]

The modern versions of the Work Master series are pretty nice tractors IMO. That bucket though… looks like it’s wearing the tractor version of clown shoes. Suspect it would perform notably better with an appropriately matched bucket.

Agreed.

Among many others, I've owned several New Holland tractors with no serious issues.

Yes, incorrect bucket.

 

[edritchey]

Since I retired I’ve gotten rid of most of my equipment with the exception of a Workmaster 75 it’s not a hydro but it is a really nice tractor. I think the newer models made by CNH are good machines. I’ve never operated any of their smaller hydro models but can’t imagine they wouldn’t be good tractors too.

 

[JeremyBX2200]

Overall it worked well. I was able to get all the work done pretty efficiently. The cruise control was nice when I was tilling longer runs. The extra power and weight made it so I could push large piles of dirt into holes to refill them easier. The tilt steering wheel made things more comfortable.
Biggest negative to me besides the wrong bucket was the 2 separate pedals for the hydrostatic. The seat didn’t seem to go back far enough for me to rest my heel on the floor when pressing the pedals. Meant every time I had to lift my leg up to switch it. Not the best for loader work and speading gravel.

Just figured I would share my impressions. Makes me think an L series would be a good size for my needs.