Woodland Mills WC88 vs Woodmaxx MX-8800
The cheapest 8-inch hydraulic PTO chipper versus Woodmaxx's premium MX-Series flagship. Same capacity tier, $2,230 apart — here's the real trade.
The Woodland Mills WC88 and Woodmaxx MX-8800 are both 8-inch hydraulic-feed PTO wood chippers for 30–80 HP tractors. The WC88 is now the price-leader at $3,995; the MX-8800 is the premium MX-Series pick at $6,225 with a 7-year warranty.
Side by side.
| Spec | Woodland MillsWC88 | WoodmaxxMX-8800 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Woodland Mills | Woodmaxx |
| Power | pto | pto |
| Max branch | 8" | 8" |
| HP requirement | 35–100 HP | 30–80 HP |
| Feed | Hydraulic | Hydraulic |
| Weight | 1054 lb | 1380 lb |
| Warranty | 3 yr | 7 yr |
| Price | $3,995 | $6,225 |
Price and warranty math
The WC88 is $3,995 with a 3-year warranty. The MX-8800 is $6,225 with a 7-year transferable warranty. That $2,230 gap buys four extra warranty years, dual powered infeed rollers, and a heavier flywheel — not more inches of capacity (both are 8-inch).
Cost per warranty-year: WC88 is ~$1,332/year ($3,995 ÷ 3). MX-8800 is ~$889/year ($6,225 ÷ 7). If you plan to keep the chipper a decade, the MX-8800's warranty economics improve — but only if you actually use the machine enough to wear components past year three.
Single vs dual hydraulic rollers
The WC88 powers only the top infeed roller; the MX-8800 runs dual powered rollers (top and bottom). In practice, dual rollers grab forked and crooked yard-tree limbs more aggressively — the WC88's top roller occasionally spins on hard material until you tighten the spring eye-bolt adjustment.
For clean straight firewood and typical brush cleanup, the WC88's single roller is fine. For storm debris with lots of Y-crotches, the MX-8800 (or the cheaper Woodmaxx WM-8H at $4,095) feeds more reliably.
HP floors and flywheel weight
Woodland Mills specs the WC88 for 35–100+ PTO HP (30 HP minimum on the comparable WM-8H). Both brands note that full 8-inch hardwood at full feed speed wants 60+ PTO HP — physics, not a defect.
The MX-8800's heavier flywheel stores more cutting energy, which means less RPM dip on dense oak and locust. Owners moving from WM-Series to MX-Series consistently report smoother feed on hardwood — the WC88's lighter 1,054 lb chassis sits between the WM-8H and MX-8800 in mass.
Blade access and maintenance
The WC88's clamshell flywheel housing is the standout maintenance feature — reversing all four blades is a 15-minute job. The MX-8800 uses conventional access doors; not difficult, but slower for routine blade swaps.
Hydraulic complexity differs too: the WC88 runs a self-contained 5-gallon hydraulic system; the MX-8800's POW-R-TORQ hydrostatic loop uses two quarts of motor oil. Less fluid volume on the MX-8800, but the WC88's clamshell design offsets routine service time for most homeowners.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the WC88 worth $2,230 less than the MX-8800?
- Yes for homeowner volume under 50 hours/year. You get the same 8-inch hydraulic capacity, clamshell blade access, and a 3-year warranty that covers break-in failures. The MX-8800 only pays for itself if you need dual-roller grip on crooked material, a heavier flywheel for sustained hardwood, or the 7-year warranty on a long-horizon purchase.
- WC88 vs MX-8800 — which has better blade access?
- The WC88. Its clamshell housing lifts off for full flywheel access; blade reversal is routinely a 15-minute job. The MX-8800 uses smaller inspection doors — functional, but slower for owners who sharpen or flip blades every 25–50 hours.
- What tractor HP do I need for each?
- Both want 35+ PTO HP for regular use, with 60+ PTO HP for full-speed 8-inch hardwood. The WC88 lists a 35 HP floor; the MX-8800 lists 30 HP minimum but performs best at 40+ PTO HP on dense material.