Woodmaxx MX-Series vs WM-Series: which line should you buy?
The WM-Series (WM-8M, WM-8H) is imported with a 3-year warranty and starts at $3,690. The MX-Series (MX-8500G+, MX-8600, MX-8800, MX-9900) is USA-made with a 7-year warranty and starts at $2,990. Here's the complete decision tree.
Woodmaxx sells two distinct lines of PTO chippers under the same brand name. The WM-Series (WM-8M, WM-8H) uses a traditional hydraulic infeed and is imported. The MX-Series(MX-8500G+, MX-8600, MX-8800, MX-9900) is manufactured at Woodmaxx’s Buffalo, NY facility and uses the patented POW-R-TORQ™ hydrostatic infeed system. The WM-Series costs less upfront; the MX-Series is covered for 7 years and uses a more refined feed mechanism.
The short version: if you’re buying the WM-8H because it’s the lowest-cost path to 8-inch hydraulic feed, that’s the right reason. If you want USA-made equipment with a 7-year warranty and hydrostatic precision, that’s the MX-Series. Budget and workload define which line you belong in.
WM-Series: what you're actually buying
The WM-Series consists of two 8-inch PTO chippers, both imported:
- WM-8M ($3,690) — Mechanical feed: Single mechanical infeed roller, no reverse. 19 HP minimum, 950 lb, 3-year warranty. Currently on waitlist at woodmaxx.com as of June 2026. The lowest-cost way into 8-inch PTO chipping.
- WM-8H ($4,095) — Hydraulic dual-roller feed: Dual counter-rotating hydraulic infeed rollers, adjustable speed (0–75 ft/min), reverse. Self-contained 7-gallon ISO-46 reservoir — no tractor hydraulics needed. 19 HP minimum, 990 lb shipping, 3-year warranty. In stock.
Both WM-Series machines use the same 200 lb, 24-inch flywheel. Both accept Cat 1 and Cat 2 hitches. Both use 2 reversible USA-made A8 tool steel knives. The WM-Series platform is a proven design — Woodmaxx has 321+ owner reviews on the WM-8H alone.
The WM-8H is explicitly labeled “Imported from overseas” in its spec sheet. Both WM-Series machines carry a 3-year warranty. After year 3, you’re on your own.
MX-Series: what you're actually buying
The MX-Series has four models spanning 5-inch to 9-inch capacity, all manufactured in Buffalo, NY, all carrying a 7-year transferable warranty:
- MX-8500G+ ($2,990) — 5-inch, gravity feed: Direct-drive gravity-feed. 15 HP minimum, 500 lb, 7-year warranty. No hydraulic infeed — branches go in under gravity. The entry MX-Series model for subcompact tractors.
- MX-8600 ($4,790) — 6-inch, hydrostatic feed: POW-R-TORQ™ hydrostatic infeed. 15 HP minimum, 550 lb, 7-year warranty. Only 2 quarts of motor oil for the hydrostatic system. Lightest 6-inch hydraulic-feed PTO chipper in its class.
- MX-8800 ($6,225) — 8-inch, hydrostatic feed: POW-R-TORQ™ hydrostatic infeed, patented 8.25-inch octagonal infeed roller, speed and direction control. 20 HP minimum, 1,004 lb shipping, 7-year transferable warranty. 95% assembled on delivery.
- MX-9900 ($7,350) — 9-inch, hydrostatic feed (“The Beast”): POW-R-TORQ™ hydrostatic infeed, 4 offset A8 USA-made knives, 225 lb flywheel, fold-up infeed bin, hinged hopper for bed-knife access. 25 HP minimum (50+ HP for full 9-inch), 1,048 lb shipping, 7-year transferable warranty. 100% assembled on delivery. Made in Buffalo, NY.
The defining MX-Series technology is the POW-R-TORQ™ patented hydrostatic infeed. Instead of a conventional open hydraulic circuit (with flow-control valves, proportioning valves, and gallons of hydraulic fluid), the hydrostatic pump varies displacement directly. This means:
- Infinitely variable speed from 0 to 75 ft/min with full power through the range
- Only 2 quarts of 10W-40 motor oil (vs 7 gallons for the WM-8H)
- Fewer fittings, hoses, and maintenance points
- No external flow control valve to adjust or replace
The key differences: WM-Series vs MX-Series
| Factor | WM-Series | MX-Series |
|---|---|---|
| Where made | Imported (overseas) | USA (Buffalo, NY) |
| Warranty | 3 years | 7 years (transferable) |
| Feed system | Traditional hydraulic (WM-8H) / Mechanical (WM-8M) | POW-R-TORQ™ hydrostatic (patented) |
| Hydraulic fluid required | 7 gallons ISO-46 (WM-8H) | 2 quarts 10W-40 motor oil (MX-8600/8800/9900) |
| HP minimum (8-inch) | 19 HP (both models) | 20 HP (MX-8800) |
| Price range | $3,690–$4,095 | $2,990–$7,350 |
| Assembly on delivery | 90% assembled (steel crate) | 95–100% assembled (skid) |
Which line should you buy? The decision tree
Buy WM-Series (WM-8H) if:
- You need 8-inch capacity at the lowest possible price ($4,095)
- Your tractor is 19–34 HP (the WM-8H is the only 8-inch hydraulic-feed option in this HP range)
- You chip 20 hours or fewer per year
- You don’t need USA-made equipment
Buy MX-Series if:
- You want USA-made equipment with a 7-year warranty
- You chip more than 30 hours per year (warranty math favors MX)
- You need 9-inch capacity — only the MX-9900 offers it; no WM-Series equivalent exists
- You need 6-inch hydraulic feed — the MX-8600 at $4,790 is the only Woodmaxx option
- You prefer hydrostatic precision (minimal oil, infinite speed control)
- You plan to keep the machine 7+ years
The grey area — WM-8H vs MX-8800 for 8-inch capacity: Both start at 19–20 HP minimum. The WM-8H costs $2,130 less. The MX-8800 has a 7-year warranty, hydrostatic feed, and USA manufacturing. For a complete breakdown, see the WM-8H vs MX-8800 comparison.
HP requirements: WM-Series and MX-Series are closer than you think
A common misconception: that MX-Series machines require more HP than WM-Series. They don’t. The HP minimums are nearly identical:
- WM-8H: 19 HP minimum — MX-8800: 20 HP minimum
- WM-8H: 50 HP for full 8-inch — MX-8800: 50+ HP for full 8-inch
- MX-9900: 25 HP minimum (50+ HP for full 9-inch)
The hydrostatic feed system on MX-Series machines draws power very efficiently — only 2 quarts of motor oil lubricates the whole system, versus 7 gallons of hydraulic fluid on the WM-8H. The power draw difference is minimal in practice.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between Woodmaxx WM-Series and MX-Series?
- The WM-Series (WM-8M, WM-8H) is imported, carries a 3-year warranty, and uses traditional hydraulic or mechanical infeed. The MX-Series (MX-8500G+, MX-8600, MX-8800, MX-9900) is USA-made in Buffalo NY, carries a 7-year warranty, and uses the patented POW-R-TORQ™ hydrostatic infeed system. MX-Series machines require only 2 quarts of motor oil; the WM-8H requires 7 gallons of hydraulic fluid.
- Is the Woodmaxx WM-8H USA made?
- No. The WM-8H spec sheet explicitly states 'Imported from overseas.' If USA manufacture matters, the MX-Series (MX-8600, MX-8800, MX-9900) is made at Woodmaxx's Buffalo, NY facility.
- Why does the MX-Series only need 2 quarts of oil?
- MX-Series machines (MX-8600, MX-8800, MX-9900) use a hydrostatic infeed pump that varies displacement directly rather than using proportioning valves and a large reservoir. The hydrostatic system only requires 2 quarts of 10W-40 motor oil. The WM-8H's traditional open hydraulic system requires 7 gallons of ISO-46 hydraulic fluid.
- Does the Woodmaxx MX-8800 need more HP than the WM-8H?
- No. The MX-8800 requires 20 HP minimum; the WM-8H requires 19 HP minimum. The difference is 1 HP — essentially identical. Both machines chip full 8-inch material with 50+ HP.
- What is POW-R-TORQ on Woodmaxx MX-Series?
- POW-R-TORQ™ is Woodmaxx's patented and trademarked hydrostatic infeed system used on the MX-8600, MX-8800, and MX-9900. It uses a hydrostatic pump (variable displacement) instead of a conventional open hydraulic circuit, providing infinitely variable feed speed (0–75 ft/min) with full power throughout the speed range, requiring only 2 quarts of motor oil.
- Which Woodmaxx chipper has the best warranty?
- All MX-Series models (MX-8500G+, MX-8600, MX-8800, MX-9900) carry a 7-year transferable warranty — the longest in the PTO chipper category. WM-Series (WM-8M, WM-8H) carry 3-year warranties.