THE TRADEOFFS, EXPLAINED

Woodland Mills TFG55 vs WoodMaxx WM-8M: 346-lb sub-compact chipper or 775-lb 8-inch

They overlap from 19 to 30 PTO hp. A Kubota L2501 gear (20.5) fits both; a John Deere 1025R (18) only TFG55; a KIOTI CK3520 manual (30.9) only WM-8M. On a sub-compact, lift often decides: TFG55 weighs 346 lb against WM-8M’s 775.

By Acreage Equipment · Reviewed November 9, 2026 · Specification research, not a field test

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Woodland Mills

TFG55 PTO

12–30 PTO hp in table; manual hitch paragraph says 15–30 — resolve before selection · 5″ max. chip diameter

$2,415 checked November 7, 2026

Check current price at Woodland Mills

Specs & tractor check →

WoodMaxx

WM-8M

19 PTO hp minimum; maximum not stated · 8″ max. chip diameter

$3,690 checked November 7, 2026

Check current price at WoodMaxx

Specs & tractor check →

START WITH THE DECISION

Consider TFG55 for sub-compactsShortlist TFG55 for a 12–30 PTO hp tractor with limited lift.

Consider WM-8M for a compact with lift to spareShortlist WM-8M for a 19+ PTO hp tractor that carries 775 lb at 24 inches.

Read the evidence behind the choice ↓

Observed U.S. prices, checked November 7, 2026, from the retained product records. Prices were not refreshed for this comparison. Tax, shipping, options and the final seller quote may change the delivered total; these are dated observations, not a live price or stock feed. Open your saved comparison →

The differences that matter.

12–30 against 19+ PTO hp

TFG55: 12–30 PTO hp (15–30 in the manual’s hitch paragraph). WM-8M: 19 minimum, no published maximum.

Under 19 only TFG55; over 30 only WM-8M.

Gravity against mechanical feed

TFG55 is gravity-fed with separate chipping and throwing flywheels. WM-8M feeds mechanically at 58 ft/min.

WM-8M pulls material in.

5 × 5-inch against 8-inch

TFG55’s opening is 5 × 5 inches; WM-8M is rated 8 inches.

WM-8M takes larger wood.

346 lb against 775 lb

TFG55: 346 lb (Rev B). WM-8M: 775 lb hitch weight.

Sub-compact lift ratings often rule out WM-8M.

A CONDITIONAL SHORTLIST

Which direction makes sense?

Consider TFG55 for sub-compacts

Shortlist TFG55 for a 12–30 PTO hp tractor with limited lift.

Check current price at Woodland Mills Prepare questions for the seller

Consider WM-8M for a compact with lift to spare

Shortlist WM-8M for a 19+ PTO hp tractor that carries 775 lb at 24 inches.

Check current price at WoodMaxx Prepare questions for the seller

Keep these source limits with the decision.

TFG55: the page and manual table give 12–30 PTO hp; the manual’s hitch paragraph says 15–30.

WM-8M: WoodMaxx’s FAQ narrows the full 8-inch claim at 50+ PTO hp to softwood; page sections disagree on whether the standard or Premium shaft ships.

This comparison reuses the manufacturer evidence retained in the product records reviewed November 7, 2026; product pages were not re-fetched on November 9. Document conflicts are kept visible. No field test or manufacturer-approved tractor pairing is claimed.

FOLLOW THE NUMBERS

Sources & documentation

Research record reviewed November 9, 2026. Confirm the current manual and the exact revision supplied with your machine.

Woodland Mills TFG55 PTO official U.S. product page12–30 PTO hp; 5 × 5-in. opening; two flywheels; price
Woodland Mills TFG55 PTO operator manual, Rev B, 15-Oct-2024 — Printed p9 weight/minimum HP; p11 hitch paragraph; p13 included partsRev B printed p9: 12–30 PTO hp, 346 lb; p11 hitch paragraph: 15–30 PTO hp
Official WM-8M page: configuration, 775 lb hitch weight and price19 PTO hp minimum; mechanical feed at 58 ft/min with stop; 775 lb hitch weight; Category 1/2; price
WM-8M manual linked by current WoodMaxx manual indexWM-8M manual linked from the current WoodMaxx index: specifications, mechanical feed and supplied shaft
WoodMaxx FAQ, question 1: mechanical versus hydraulic feed