THE TRADEOFFS, EXPLAINED

Woodland Mills WC88 vs WoodMaxx WM-8M: two 8-inch chippers, 35 PTO hp apart at the minimum

WC88 and WM-8M both advertise 8-inch capacity and sold $305 apart on November 7, 2026. Their minimums are far apart: Woodland Mills lists WC88 from 35 PTO hp, WoodMaxx lists WM-8M from 19. For a tractor such as the LS MT342, whose PTO rating is 33.6 or 35.7 depending on the document, that difference decides whether WC88 is inside its range. Neither reaches full 8-inch capacity near the minimum.

By Acreage Equipment · Reviewed November 8, 2026 · Specification research, not a field test

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Woodland Mills

WC88

35–100+ PTO hp · 8″ Maximum branch diameter, inches

$3,995 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 WC88 above 35 PTO hp when feed control mattersShortlist WC88 when the tractor’s confirmed PTO rating is at least 35, the hitch is Category 1, and an adjustable hydraulic feed suits mixed material.

Consider WM-8M when the PTO rating is near or below 35Shortlist WM-8M when the tractor is under 35 PTO hp or its rating is disputed, a fixed-speed feed suits the material, and Category 1 or 2 mounting needs to be covered.

Read the evidence behind the choice ↓

Observed U.S. seller 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.

35 versus 19 PTO hp at the minimum

Woodland Mills lists WC88 at 35–100+ PTO hp and ties full 8-inch logs at full feed to over 60 PTO hp. WoodMaxx lists WM-8M from 19 PTO hp with no maximum, describes 4-inch hardwood or 6-inch softwood at 19, and limits its 8-inch statement to softwood at 50+ PTO hp.

A tractor between 19 and 35 PTO hp is inside WM-8M’s range only. Between 35 and 50, both are inside, and neither maker states full 8-inch capacity there. Ask each maker what diameter to expect at your rating.

Variable hydraulic feed versus a fixed-speed roller

WC88 has a self-contained hydraulic infeed with adjustable speed and direction and a 5-gallon tank shipped dry. WM-8M drives its roller through a belt-driven gearbox and mechanical clutch at a fixed 58 ft/min with stop; WoodMaxx does not document powered reverse.

Near the minimum, WC88 lets the operator slow the feed to keep the rotor up to speed. WM-8M has no feed oil to buy or service but cannot slow its feed.

Category 1 versus Category 1 or 2

WC88’s manual lists Category 1. WM-8M lists Category 1 or 2 direct mounting, with quick-hitch use limited to Category 1 and special top-link hardware and a longer shaft called for on named quick hitches.

On a tractor whose sources disagree about Category 1 or 2, such as the LS MT342, WM-8M has documented mounting either way. WC88 needs a confirmed Category 1 hitch.

900 lb against 775 lb

WC88’s manual lists 900 lb product weight and 1,054 lb shipping, with shaft and oil inclusion unstated. WM-8M’s page lists 775 lb on the three-point hitch, also without stated inclusions, and shipping weights of 950 and 990 lb in different sections.

WM-8M is the lighter reference figure, but neither is a confirmed operating weight. On a tractor with only a link-end lift rating, ask for both assembled weights and the tractor’s 24-inch rating.

$305 apart on the dated observations

WC88 was observed at $3,995 and WM-8M at $3,690 on November 7, 2026.

The price gap is small next to the power and feed differences. Compare delivered quotes with the same shaft, hitch parts and freight.

A CONDITIONAL SHORTLIST

Which direction makes sense?

Consider WC88 above 35 PTO hp when feed control matters

Shortlist WC88 when the tractor’s confirmed PTO rating is at least 35, the hitch is Category 1, and an adjustable hydraulic feed suits mixed material. Ask Woodland Mills what diameter to expect well below the over-60-hp full-feed condition.

Check current price at Woodland Mills Prepare questions for the seller

Consider WM-8M when the PTO rating is near or below 35

Shortlist WM-8M when the tractor is under 35 PTO hp or its rating is disputed, a fixed-speed feed suits the material, and Category 1 or 2 mounting needs to be covered. Confirm the shaft and hitch parts that ship.

Check current price at WoodMaxx Prepare questions for the seller

Keep these source limits with the decision.

WM-8M’s page and manual contain copied WM-8H hydraulic-feed language despite its mechanical gearbox and fixed feed; its shipping weight is 950 lb in one section and 990 lb in another, and page sections disagree on the standard or Premium shaft.

WC88’s page and manual describe different hopper-mouth heights; the 8 × 8-inch throat is consistent.

This comparison reuses the manufacturer evidence retained in the product records reviewed November 7, 2026; product pages were not re-fetched on November 8. WC88 uses the current page and the Rev C, August 22, 2022 manual; WM-8M uses the current page, WoodMaxx’s FAQ and the manual marked 3/20.

FOLLOW THE NUMBERS

Sources & documentation

Research record reviewed November 8, 2026. Confirm the current manual and the exact revision supplied with your machine.

Woodland Mills WC88 official U.S. pageCapacity, including full-diameter/full-speed condition; Hydraulic Infeed System; price
WC88 operator manual 0006717-M-EN Rev C, 22-Aug-2022Printed p9/PDF p11: product and shipping weight, 5-gallon self-contained tank; printed p12/PDF p14 Category 1 hitch
WoodMaxx WM-8M official product pageIntroduction (19 PTO hp minimum, 50+ PTO hp full capacity); Infeed Opening; Total weight on 3 point hitch; Quick Hitch Compatible; price
WoodMaxx WM-8M assembly and operator manual, marked 3/20Printed pp18,20–23 / PDF pp19,21–24: hitch and shaft sizing; printed p53 mechanical drive parts
WoodMaxx manufacturer FAQQuestion 1: WM-8M mechanical drive, 58 ft/min feed and stop, 8-inch softwood at 50+ PTO hp