Woodmaxx WM-8H vs Woodland Mills WC88
The WM-8H ($4,095) starts at 19 HP. The WC88 ($3,995) requires 35 HP minimum. If your tractor is under 35 HP, the WM-8H is your only option for 8-inch hydraulic feed. If you have 35+ HP, both work — and the comparison gets more interesting.
The Woodmaxx WM-8H and Woodland Mills WC88 are the two most-compared 8-inch hydraulic-feed PTO chippers under $4,500. They’re priced nearly identically — WM-8H at $4,095, WC88 at $3,995 — but they serve different tractor owners. The WC88 costs $100 less; the WM-8H works on tractors 16 HP smaller.
For the buyer with a 19–34 HP compact tractor who wants 8-inch hydraulic chipping, there’s no comparison to make. The WC88 requires 35 HP minimum — the WM-8H is the only machine that fits. For the 35–50 HP buyer, both machines work and the decision becomes about features, feed system design, and brand preference.
Side by side.
| Spec | WoodmaxxWM-8H | Woodland MillsWC88 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Woodmaxx | Woodland Mills |
| Power | pto | pto |
| Max branch | 8" | 8" |
| HP requirement | 19–50 HP | 35–100 HP |
| Feed | Hydraulic | Hydraulic |
| Weight | 990 lb | 918 lb |
| Warranty | 3 yr | 3 yr |
| Price | $4,095 | $3,995 |
HP range: the most important difference
The WM-8H requires 19 HP minimum PTO. The WC88 requires 35 HP minimum. That is a 16 HP gap — larger than most buyers realize. For context:
- Kubota BX2370: ~18 HP PTO — runs the WM-8H, can’t run the WC88
- John Deere 3025E: 25 HP — runs the WM-8H, can’t run the WC88
- Kubota L3901: 33.5 HP — runs the WM-8H, just under WC88 minimum
- New Holland Boomer 35: 35 HP — runs either machine
- John Deere 3046R: 37 HP — runs either machine
At 19 HP, both machines only chip 4-inch hardwood and 6-inch softwood — full 8-inch capacity requires 50 HP on either machine. But the WM-8H is the only machine that gets compact tractor owners into 8-inch hydraulic chipping at all.
Feed system: dual roller vs single roller
The WM-8H uses dual counter-rotating hydraulic infeed rollers powered by a self-contained 7-gallon ISO-46 hydraulic system. Two rollers grip material from both sides, pull it through at adjustable speed (0–75 ft/min), and reverse on command. No tractor hydraulic connection required.
The WC88 uses a single hydraulic infeed rollerdrawing from a 5-gallon open hydraulic system. The WC88’s system is simpler but uses only one roller — crooked or forked branches have less clamping force to pull them through.
Both have adjustable feed speed. Both have reverse. The dual-roller design of the WM-8H handles challenging material more aggressively.
Weight and assembly
The WC88 weighs 918 lb (machine weight without packaging) — lighter than the WM-8H at 990 lb shipping weight (which includes the steel crate). Both mount on Cat 1 or Cat 2 three-point hitches. The WM-8H ships 90% assembled; the WC88 ships within 1 week from the Woodland Mills warehouse. Neither requires significant assembly time.
Warranty: 3 years on both
Both carry 3-year warranties. Neither stands out on warranty duration — if warranty length matters, look at the Woodmaxx MX-8800 (7-year transferable) or MX-9900 (7-year transferable). Both are significantly more expensive.
USA-made vs imported
Frequently asked questions
- What is the HP requirement for the Woodmaxx WM-8H vs Woodland Mills WC88?
- The Woodmaxx WM-8H requires 19 HP minimum PTO. The Woodland Mills WC88 requires 35 HP minimum. If your tractor is under 35 HP, the WM-8H is the only 8-inch hydraulic-feed PTO chipper that fits.
- Is the WM-8H or WC88 better for compact tractors?
- The WM-8H wins decisively for compact tractor owners. It starts at 19 HP minimum — 16 HP lower than the WC88. Tractors like the Kubota BX series (18–25 HP), John Deere 3-series (25–37 HP), and similar compact utility tractors can run the WM-8H but not the WC88.
- Can a 30 HP tractor run the Woodland Mills WC88?
- No. Woodland Mills rates the WC88 for 35 HP minimum. A 30 HP tractor should look at the Woodmaxx WM-8H (19 HP min, 8-inch hydraulic) or the Woodland Mills WC68 (20 HP min, 6-inch hydraulic).
- Does the WM-8H or WC88 need tractor hydraulics?
- Neither requires tractor hydraulics. The WM-8H uses a self-contained system with a 7-gallon ISO-46 hydraulic reservoir. The WC88 uses its own 5-gallon hydraulic system. Both are fully self-contained — no tractor hydraulic circuit connection needed.
- Which is heavier, the WM-8H or WC88?
- The WC88 machine weight is 918 lb. The WM-8H ships at 990 lb including its steel shipping crate. The actual machine weight of the WM-8H is slightly below 990 lb — both machines are close in weight. Both require a Cat 1 or Cat 2 three-point hitch.
- What is the warranty on the WM-8H and WC88?
- Both carry 3-year warranties. Neither brand stands out on warranty at this price tier. For 7-year warranty coverage, look at the Woodmaxx MX-8800 ($6,225) or MX-9900 ($7,350).