Woodmaxx MX-8800 8-inch Hydraulic-Feed PTO Woodchipper Review (2026): 8-inch Hydraulic-Feed PTO Woodchipper
MX-Series successor to the WM-8H with a larger flywheel, upgraded feed system, and Woodmaxx's 7-year warranty.
WoodMaxx Patented POW-R-TORQ™ Infeed System
Manufacturer walkthrough of the POW-R-TORQ hydrostatic infeed — the system that powers the MX-8800's true 8" capacity.
- 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, 5-year warranty). Prices are comparable. The MX-8800 wins on warranty (7 vs 5 years). The WC88 has a slightly heavier flywheel by spec but reviewer consensus is roughly a wash on real-world performance. Either is a solid pick for 30–80 HP tractor owners.
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)
- $5,495
- 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 $5,495, renting might be cheaper — see our rental vs buying calculator.
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, yes — the 7-year warranty and upgraded feed components justify ~$700. For casual homeowner use (under 20 hours/year), the WM-8H is a better value because the core chipping capability is essentially the same.
- 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.
- How much tractor HP do I need for the MX-8800?
- The Woodmaxx MX-8800 8-inch Hydraulic-Feed PTO Woodchipper is rated for 30–80 PTO HP. That's tractor PTO horsepower after drivetrain losses — rated engine HP is typically 10–15% higher. A 35 HP engine tractor produces roughly 30 PTO HP and would run this chipper at the minimum. The comfortable working range is 38–72 PTO HP.
- Does the MX-8800 fit a Category 1 three-point hitch?
- Yes. The MX-8800 mounts to a standard Category 1 or 2 three-point hitch and accepts a 540 RPM rear PTO shaft (included). Quick hitch compatibility varies by brand — most John Deere iMatch and Pat's Easy Change hitches accept it with a standard top-link bushing.
- What's the maximum branch diameter the MX-8800 can chip?
- The Woodmaxx MX-8800 8-inch Hydraulic-Feed PTO Woodchipper is rated for branches up to 8 inches in diameter. Green and softwood branches chip reliably at the rated maximum. Seasoned hardwood at the maximum slows the feed rate and bogs the flywheel more — plan for 7-inch hardwood as your comfortable working size.
- What's the warranty on the MX-8800?
- Woodmaxx covers the MX-8800 with a 7-year warranty — this is the MX-Series warranty, the longest in the category. It covers manufacturing defects but excludes wearing parts (blades, belts, bearings under normal wear) and cosmetic damage.
- Does the MX-8800 have reversible hydraulic feed?
- Yes. The MX-8800 uses hydraulic feed rollers with a reversible control bar. Reverse lets you back out jams without stopping the flywheel, and lets you align crooked branches before committing them to the chipper. This is standard on all hydraulic-feed PTO chippers in this tier.
- How much does the MX-8800 weigh?
- The Woodmaxx MX-8800 8-inch Hydraulic-Feed PTO Woodchipper weighs approximately 1,380 lb. Check your tractor's three-point hitch lift capacity before purchase — a Category 1 tractor typically lifts 1,200–1,800 lb at the hitch pins; Category 2 lifts 2,500+ lb.
- How often do the blades on the MX-8800 need sharpening?
- For typical property use (20–40 hours per year), sharpen the MX-8800's blades once per season. Heavy hardwood use cuts that to every 15–20 hours. A full replacement set runs roughly $80–$250 depending on blade count and material. See our woodchipper blade sharpening guide for the full process.
- Where is the MX-8800 made?
- MX-8800 chippers are built with a mix of US-sourced and imported components, assembled and shipped from Woodmaxx's Akron, NY facility. The MX-Series is marketed as using upgraded US-sourced bearings and hydraulics versus the WM-Series.