Woodmaxx WM-8H vs MX-8800
The WM-8H is the long-standing Woodmaxx 8-inch PTO chipper. The MX-8800 is the MX-Series successor with a heavier flywheel, upgraded feed system, and a 7-year warranty. Here's which one actually fits your situation.
The WM-8H and MX-8800 are the two most-confused products in the Woodmaxx catalog. Both are 8-inch powered-feed PTO chippers for roughly 20–50 PTO HP tractors (about 45–50 HP for full 8-inch capacity). The price gap is $2,130 — the MX-8800 costs more than 50% more than the WM-8H. The headline question: is that premium worth it?
Side by side.
| Spec | WoodmaxxWM-8H | WoodmaxxMX-8800 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Woodmaxx | Woodmaxx |
| Power | pto | pto |
| Engine | PTO-driven, 19–50+ HP tractor (15 HP absolute minimum per spec sheet) | PTO-driven, 20–50+ HP tractor |
| Max branch | 8" | 8" |
| HP requirement | 19–50 HP | 20–50 HP✓ |
| Feed | Hydraulic | Hydraulic |
| Weight | 990 lb✓ | 1004 lb |
| Warranty | 3 yr | 7 yr✓ |
| Price | $4,095✓ | $6,225 |
What the MX-8800 actually upgrades
Four real differences between the WM-8H and MX-8800:
- Where it’s made:the MX-8800 is USA-made (Buffalo, NY). The WM-8H’s own spec sheet says “imported from overseas.” For some buyers this alone drives the decision.
- Feed system:the MX-8800 uses Woodmaxx’s POW-R-TORQ™ hydrostatic infeed that runs on just two quarts of motor oil, driving a single 8.25-inch octagonal roller with speed and direction control. The WM-8H uses a self-contained hydraulic system that holds about 7 gallons of ISO-46 fluid and runs dual feed rollers with reverse. The WM-8H’s two rollers grip forked wood well; the MX-8800’s system is far simpler to maintain.
- Flywheel mass: the MX-8800 carries a heavier 200 lb / 24-inch flywheel, so it holds RPM better on dense hardwood and slows less when you hit a knot.
- Warranty: 7 years on the MX-8800 vs 3 years on the WM-8H — four extra years of coverage.
What doesn’t change: max branch diameter (8 inches on both), the working HP range (roughly 20–50 PTO HP, ~45–50 for full capacity), reversible powered feed on both, and the clamshell housing design. If you want a full 9-inch throat instead, compare the MX-9900 vs MX-8800.
Does the $2,130 premium pencil out?
Be honest about the gap: the MX-8800 costs $2,130 more than the WM-8H — over 50% on top of the WM-8H’s $4,095. That is far too large to justify as warranty insurance. An out-of-warranty hydraulic-feed repair on an 8-inch PTO chipper runs $400–$800 in parts and labor, so you would need three-plus such repairs in years 4 through 7 for the extended coverage to “pay for itself” — not a realistic expectation on a well-maintained machine.
So the case for the MX-8800 isn’t repair math — it’s what the money actually buys: US manufacturing instead of an imported unit, a hydrostatic feed that runs on two quarts of motor oil rather than seven gallons of hydraulic fluid, a heavier flywheel that sustains feed rate in dense hardwood, and four extra years of warranty. If you value those and plan heavy or long-term use, the premium is defensible. If you chip a few weekends a year, the WM-8H delivers the same 8-inch cut for $2,130 less and is the clear value pick.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the MX-8800 worth $2,130 more than the WM-8H?
- Not on warranty math alone — a hydraulic-feed repair runs $400–$800, so you'd need several in years 4–7 to recoup $2,130. It's worth it if you specifically want US manufacturing (vs the imported WM-8H), the low-maintenance hydrostatic feed that runs on two quarts of motor oil instead of seven gallons of hydraulic fluid, the heavier flywheel, and 7-year coverage for heavy or long-term use. For casual homeowner use, the WM-8H delivers the same 8-inch cut for $2,130 less.
- Do the WM-8H and MX-8800 use the same blades?
- Yes — both use the same blade dimensions and can share replacement blades. Blade replacement cost is identical across the two models.
- Same tractor HP requirement?
- Essentially yes. The WM-8H starts at 19 PTO HP and the MX-8800 at 20; both want roughly 45–50 PTO HP to chip full 8-inch material. The practical sweet spot for either is about 35–50 PTO HP (PTO HP is typically 85–90% of engine HP).
- Does the MX-8800 chip faster than the WM-8H?
- Marginally. The heavier flywheel sustains RPM better on dense hardwood, translating to roughly 5–10% faster feed on thick material. On clean, straight wood the difference is negligible.