Woodmaxx MX-8800 8-inch Hydraulic-Feed PTO Woodchipper Review (2026)
MX-Series successor to the WM-8H with a larger flywheel, upgraded feed system, and Woodmaxx's 7-year warranty.
Woodmaxx MX-8800 infeed system: POW-R-TORQ hydrostatic feed for 8-inch capacity
Manufacturer walkthrough of the POW-R-TORQ hydrostatic infeed — the system that powers the MX-8800's true 8" capacity.
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- Heavier flywheel for sustained feed rate
- 7-year MX-Series warranty
- Improved hydraulic feed system over WM-8H
- Price premium over WM-8H
- Same tractor HP envelope — no added capacity
What the MX-Series upgrades actually deliver
The MX-8800 is built on the same fundamental design as the WM-8H but with three upgrades that matter: a heavier flywheel (sustained feed rate on dense material), upgraded hydraulic feed components (longer service life on rollers and valves), and a 7-year warranty versus 3.
For commercial-use buyers, the warranty alone is the buying argument — 7 years of coverage on hydraulic components meaningfully reduces total cost of ownership.
Competing PTO 8-inch chippers
Cross-brand, the MX-8800's closest competitor is the Woodland Mills WC88 (8-inch hydraulic feed, 3-year warranty, $3,995). The WC88 is now $2,230 cheaper than the MX-8800 with the same 8-inch hydraulic capability — at that gap, the MX-8800's case rests entirely on its 7-year MX-Series warranty (vs WC88's 3 years) and its heavier flywheel. For most buyers in 2026, the WC88 is the value pick and the MX-8800 is the long-horizon premium pick. The Woodmaxx WM-8H ($4,095, 3-year) is also worth a look — same warranty as the WC88 at $100 more.
What's in the box
- MX-8800 chipper unit
- PTO shaft with shear pin (540 RPM)
- Blade set (2 knives, installed)
- Hydraulic feed roller assembly (installed)
- Hydraulic hoses and fittings (for tractor remote hookup)
- 3-point hitch pins (Cat I / Cat II)
- Discharge chute
- Hardware bag
- Operator manual
- Hydraulic fluid — 7 gallons ISO-46 (est.) if tractor remotes are not pre-plumbed
- Tractor (30–80 HP with 540 RPM PTO and rear hydraulic remotes)
- Quick-hitch adapter (if your tractor uses one)
- Ear protection and safety glasses
Ships freight. MX-series upgrade over the WM-8H with heavier flywheel. Same hydraulic remote requirements as the WM-8H. 7-year warranty registration required within 30 days of purchase.
Woodmaxx MX-8800 8-inch Hydraulic-Feed PTO Woodchipper specs at a glance
- Brand
- Woodmaxx
- Model
- MX-8800
- Power type
- pto
- Max branch diameter
- 8"
- Power
- PTO-driven, 30–80 HP tractor
- Feed system
- Hydraulic
- Weight
- 1380 lb
- Price (MSRP)
- $6,225
- Warranty
- 7 years
Will the MX-8800 fit my tractor?
The Woodmaxx MX-8800 8-inch Hydraulic-Feed PTO Woodchipper needs 30–80 PTO HP. Here’s how 26 common compact and utility tractors match up — rated PTO HP, not engine HP (after typical 10–15% drivetrain losses).
| Tractor | Engine HP | PTO HP | Hitch | MX-8800 verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kubota BX23S | 22 | 15 | Cat 1 | Too small |
| Kubota LX2610 | 25 | 19 | Cat 1 | Too small |
| Kubota L2501 | 24 | 19 | Cat 1 | Too small |
| Kubota L3301 | 33 | 26 | Cat 1 | At limit |
| Kubota L3901 | 37 | 30 | Cat 1 | Fits |
| Kubota L4701 | 47 | 38 | Cat 1 | Fits |
| Kubota MX5400 | 55 | 45 | Cat 2 | Fits |
| Kubota M4-071 | 70 | 58 | Cat 2 | Fits |
| John Deere 1025R | 24 | 18 | Cat 1 | Too small |
| John Deere 2025R | 25 | 19 | Cat 1 | Too small |
| John Deere 3025E | 24.7 | 19 | Cat 1 | Too small |
| John Deere 3032E | 32 | 25 | Cat 1 | Too small |
| John Deere 3039R | 38.2 | 30 | Cat 1 | Fits |
| John Deere 3046R | 45.3 | 37 | Cat 1 | Fits |
| John Deere 4044M | 43.1 | 35 | Cat 1 | Fits |
| John Deere 4066R | 65.9 | 53 | Cat 2 | Fits |
| Mahindra 1533 | 33 | 26 | Cat 1 | At limit |
| Mahindra 2638 HST | 37.4 | 29 | Cat 1 | At limit |
| Massey Ferguson 1735M | 35 | 28 | Cat 1 | At limit |
| Massey Ferguson 2705E | 49 | 40 | Cat 2 | Fits |
| New Holland WORKMASTER 25S | 24.7 | 18 | Cat 1 | Too small |
| New Holland WORKMASTER 35 | 35 | 28 | Cat 1 | At limit |
| Kioti CK2620 | 24.5 | 20 | Cat 1 | Too small |
| Kioti NX4510 | 45 | 38 | Cat 1 | Fits |
| LS MT225S | 24.4 | 18 | Cat 1 | Too small |
| LS MT342 | 41.3 | 32 | Cat 1 | Fits |
“Fits” = within the manufacturer’s rated PTO HP range. “At limit” = below the minimum by 5–15%, will feel underpowered on seasoned hardwood. “Too small” = undersized for reliable chipping. “Oversized” = above range (works but overkill).
Who should buy the MX-8800 — and who should skip it
- You own a tractor with 30–80 PTO HP and a Category 1 or 2 three-point hitch.
- Your typical branches are 6–8 inches in diameter.
- You regularly chip forked, crooked, or limby brush that hangs up on mechanical-feed chippers.
- You plan to keep the chipper 7+ years and value the 7-year warranty.
- You don't own a tractor. A gas-standalone chipper of comparable capacity is the right category for you.
- Your tractor produces less than 30 PTO HP. Size down to a 5–6 inch chipper matched to your tractor, or the feed rate will crawl.
- You'll chip only a few times per year. At $6,225, renting might be cheaper — see our rental vs buying calculator.
Alternatives to the MX-8800
$2,130 less. same 8-inch capacity. 3-year warranty.
$2,775 less. 6-inch capacity (2 inch smaller). 3-year warranty. from Woodland Mills.
$1,075 less. 5-inch capacity (3 inch smaller). mechanical feed (simpler, cheaper). 5-year warranty. from Wallenstein.
MX-8800accessories & add-ons
Set of 2 replacement chipper knives for the MX-8800. Available from woodmaxx.com.
Replacement hydraulic feed hoses. MX-series uses upgraded fittings over the WM-8H.
PTO shaft shear pins.
Upgraded PTO shaft for steep 3-point geometry or high-HP tractors.
Adapter for iMatch or equivalent quick-hitch systems.
MX-8800blade replacement & sharpening
The MX-8800's heavier flywheel holds momentum through dull-blade load, so track hours carefully — the machine won't complain the way a WM-8M would.
Two A8 flywheel knives, reversible; the heavier bed knife can be reground twice before replacement.
- Blade count
- 2 flywheel knives
- Bed knife
- Yes — fixed anvil
- Sharpening angle
- 30–40°
- Reversible
- Yes — doubles edge life
- Blade material
- A8 tool steel
- Replacement set
- $180–$250
- Sharpening interval
- 30–45 hours
- Bolt torque
- 50–60 ft-lb
- 01Stop the machine and isolate power
Disengage the PTO, shut the tractor off, and remove the key. Wait 60+ seconds for the MX-8800 flywheel to stop completely — it coasts longer than the engine.
- 02Open the discharge or flywheel access cover
Remove the bolts on the MX-8800 flywheel access hood (or flip the hinged hood if equipped). Swing it clear so you have line-of-sight to every blade position.
- 03Rotate the flywheel to the first blade
Turn the flywheel by hand until the first of the 2 knives is aligned with the access opening. Mark it "1" with a paint pen so you can keep track of orientation.
- 04Break the blade bolts loose
Use a breaker bar on each of the 2 blade bolts. Woodmaxx and Woodland Mills both thread-lock these at the factory; heat gently if they don't yield. Do not pry on the flywheel itself.
- 05Slide the blade out and inspect
Remove the blade and inspect for cracks, nicks deeper than 1/16", and rounded bevels. A cracked blade goes straight in the scrap bin — never re-sharpened.
- 06Flip or replace the blade
The MX-8800 uses 2 reversible knives. If the secondary edge is still clean, simply flip the blade for a fresh edge. If both edges are worn, sharpen at 30–40° on a belt sander — quench every 10–15 seconds to avoid bluing the A8 tool steel.
- 07Balance the set
Remove equal material from every blade in the set. On the MX-8800's 2-knife flywheel, even a 1–2 gram imbalance shows up as vibration at operating RPM. Weigh on a gram scale after sharpening.
- 08Reinstall and torque
Apply anti-seize to the bolt threads (not the heads) and torque in a star pattern to 50–60 ft-lb. Use fresh lock washers — reused washers are the #1 cause of a loose blade downstream.
- 09Repeat for every remaining blade
Rotate the flywheel and repeat steps 3–8 for the remaining 1 knives. Then inspect the fixed bed knife — if the edge is rounded, flip or replace it and reset the blade-to-anvil gap to ~0.030" with feeler gauges.
- 10Close up and test-run
Rotate the flywheel by hand one full revolution to confirm no contact with the bed knife or housing. Close the access cover. Start the tractor, engage PTO at low idle, and listen for 30 seconds before ramping to operating RPM. Feed one small test branch before returning to normal work.
Real owners on the MX-8800
- Upgraded flywheel felt on hardwood. Owners comparing the MX-8800 to the older WM-8H report noticeably less bog through dense oak and locust.
- Reversible hydraulic feed earns its keep. Ability to back out a jam without climbing into the hopper is repeatedly called the best QoL upgrade.
- Heavy — not a sub-compact chipper. Reports flag Cat-1 3-point strain on lighter tractors; ballast and a stout lift arm assembly recommended.
“The MX-8800 flywheel is noticeably heavier than my buddy's WM-8H. Chews through seasoned red oak without the RPM dip I expected.”
“Reverse on the feed rollers has saved me a dozen times. Pull a tangle back, re-orient the crotch, push it through. Cannot imagine going back.”
“Mine weighs close to 900 lbs with the chute. My L3301 lifts it fine but you feel it. Would not hang this off anything smaller.”
“Build quality is a clear step up from the older Woodmaxx line. Welds are cleaner, bearings are sealed, hoses are routed like someone cared.”
Quotes are short excerpts used editorially with attribution. Click any source link to read the full thread.
MX-8800 — frequently asked questions
- Is the MX-8800 worth the upgrade over the WM-8H?
- For commercial or near-commercial use, possibly yes — the 7-year warranty and upgraded hydrostatic feed have to justify a $2,130 premium ($6,225 vs $4,095). At a $700 gap this was an easy call; at $2,130 it's a deliberate choice. For casual homeowner use (under 20 hours/year), the WM-8H is the much better value because the core 8-inch hydraulic-feed capability is essentially the same machine.
- MX-8800 or Woodland Mills WC88?
- Both are 8-inch hydraulic-feed PTO chippers at similar prices. MX-8800 has the longer warranty (7 vs 5 years). WC88 has slightly more flywheel mass on paper. Practical performance is close. We slightly prefer the MX-8800 for the warranty — but either is a defensible buy.
- What tractor HP does the MX-8800 need?
- 30–80 HP tractor, matching the WM-8H. Sweet spot is 45–65 HP for sustained 8-inch feed rates.
- What are the common problems with the MX-8800?
- The most-reported issues are: hydraulic feed sensitivity (the safety bar can trip on long brush, which is by design), discharge chute clogging on wet chips (clear periodically), and paint chips from freight shipping (cosmetic only). None are mechanical defects — they're operational characteristics owners adapt to within the first few sessions.
- MX-8800 vs wm-8h — which should I buy?
- See our head-to-head comparison for the detailed breakdown. In short: the MX-8800 at $6,225 offers 8-inch capacity with hydraulic feed. The right pick depends on your tractor HP, branch size, and whether you need hydraulic feed for forked material.
- MX-8800 vs woodland mills wc88 — which should I buy?
- See our head-to-head comparison for the detailed breakdown. In short: the MX-8800 at $6,225 offers 8-inch capacity with hydraulic feed. The right pick depends on your tractor HP, branch size, and whether you need hydraulic feed for forked material.
- Will the MX-8800 work on a john deere 3039r?
- Check your tractor's rated PTO HP (not engine HP). The MX-8800 needs 30–80 PTO HP. Most john deere 3039r tractors produce enough PTO HP, but verify your specific model's PTO output in the owner's manual. Also confirm your 3-point hitch lift capacity can handle 1380 lb. See our tractor compatibility table above for 26 common tractor models.
- MX-8800 vs wc68 — which should I buy?
- See our head-to-head comparison for the detailed breakdown. In short: the MX-8800 at $6,225 offers 8-inch capacity with hydraulic feed. The right pick depends on your tractor HP, branch size, and whether you need hydraulic feed for forked material.
- Where is the MX-8800 made?
- The MX-8800 is assembled at Woodmaxx's Akron, NY facility using a mix of US-sourced and imported components. The MX-Series is marketed as using upgraded US-sourced bearings and hydraulics.
- How do I replace or sharpen the blades on the MX-8800?
- The MX-8800 uses high-carbon A8 tool steel reversible dual-edge knives. Sharpen once per season for typical use (20–40 hours/year), or every 15–20 hours under heavy hardwood load. A replacement blade set runs roughly $80–$250 depending on the model. See our blade sharpening guide for the step-by-step process.
- How heavy is the MX-8800 and what hitch does it need?
- The MX-8800 weighs approximately 1,380 lb. It mounts to a standard Category 1 or 2 three-point hitch. Check your tractor's hitch lift capacity — most Category 1 tractors lift 1,200–1,800 lb at the pins.
- How much HP do I need to run the MX-8800?
- The MX-8800 needs 30–80 PTO HP. That's PTO horsepower (roughly 85–90% of engine HP). A 35 HP engine tractor produces about 30 PTO HP. Comfortable range: 38–72 PTO HP.
- What warranty does the MX-8800 come with?
- Woodmaxx covers the MX-8800 with a 7-year warranty. This is the MX-Series warranty — the longest in the PTO chipper category. Covers manufacturing defects; excludes wearing parts (blades, belts) and cosmetic damage.
- What can the MX-8800 actually chip in real-world use?
- Rated for 8-inch branches. In practice, green softwood chips reliably at rated max. Seasoned hardwood at 8 inches slows the feed rate and bogs the flywheel on knots — comfortable working capacity on hardwood is 6.5–7.5 inches. The hydraulic feed handles forked and crooked material well.
- Is the MX-8800 worth buying?
- At $6,225, the MX-8800 is the premium/commercial tier — justified only for high-volume use or buyers who need max capacity. The 7-year warranty provides strong long-term protection.