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 hydraulic-feed PTO chippers for 30–80 HP tractors. The price gap is about $700. The headline question: is the premium worth it?
Side by side.
| Spec | WoodmaxxWM-8H | WoodmaxxMX-8800 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Woodmaxx | Woodmaxx |
| Power | pto | pto |
| Max branch | 8" | 8" |
| HP requirement | 30–80 HP | 30–80 HP |
| Feed | Hydraulic | Hydraulic |
| Weight | 1295 lb | 1380 lb |
| Warranty | 3 yr | 7 yr |
| Price | $4,795 | $5,495 |
What the MX-8800 actually upgrades
Three real differences between the WM-8H and MX-8800:
- Flywheel mass:the MX-8800 has a heavier flywheel (~10–15% more mass). In practice, this means sustained feed rate on dense hardwood — the flywheel doesn’t slow down as much when you hit a knot.
- Hydraulic feed system: upgraded valves and heavier-duty rollers. Longer service life, smoother feed engagement, more durable under commercial use.
- Warranty: 7 years on the MX-8800 vs 3 years on the WM-8H. This is the single biggest line-item difference.
What doesn’t change: max branch diameter (8 inches on both), HP requirement (30–80 HP tractor), feed direction (reversible hydraulic on both), and the core chipper housing design.
The break-even math on the upgrade
The MX-8800 premium is ~$700. A typical out-of-warranty hydraulic feed repair on an 8-inch PTO chipper runs $400–$800 for parts and labor. If you believe there’s at least a 50% chance of needing one hydraulic repair between year 4 and year 7 of ownership, the MX-8800’s extended warranty breaks even. Add the heavier flywheel’s productivity benefit (~5–10% faster feed on hardwood) and the math favors the MX-8800 for owners who’ll use the chipper regularly.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the MX-8800 worth $700 more than the WM-8H?
- For 50+ hours of use per year or 10+ year ownership, yes — the 7-year warranty alone roughly covers the premium. For casual homeowner use (under 20 hours/year, 5-year keep), the WM-8H is the better value.
- 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?
- Yes. Both rated 30–80 HP tractor (PTO HP typically 85–90% of engine HP). Sweet spot for both is 45–65 PTO 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.