THE TRADEOFFS, EXPLAINED

WoodMaxx FM-78 Y vs FM-78H: fixed Y-blade or side-shift hammer at 70 inches

Both mowers share WoodMaxx’s 30–65 PTO hp rating and a 70-inch cut, so on a tractor like the TYM T754 (64.1 PTO hp, Category II) the power check is the same: 0.9 under the ceiling. The choice is fixed offset with Y-blades for grass, or hydraulic side shift with hammers for brush.

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

WoodMaxx FM-78 · Y-blades flail mower

WoodMaxx

FM-78 · Y-blades

30–65 PTO hp · Y-blades only · 70″ Cutting width, inches

$3,900 checked November 7, 2026

Check current price at WoodMaxx
WoodMaxx FM-78H · Hammer blades flail mower

WoodMaxx

FM-78H · Hammer blades

30–65 PTO hp · Hammer blades only · 70″ Cutting width, inches

$4,620 checked November 7, 2026

Check current price at WoodMaxx

START WITH THE DECISION

Consider FM-78 Y for grass and open groundShortlist the fixed Y-blade FM-78 when mowing is mostly grass and no rear remote is free.

Consider FM-78H for brush and edgesShortlist FM-78H when hammers suit the material and a rear remote is available for side shift.

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.

01

Fixed offset against hydraulic side shift

WoodMaxx’s manual lists no hydraulic side shift for the fixed FM-78. FM-78H shifts hydraulically and needs tractor rear remotes; the manual supplies two hoses and fittings.

FM-78H reaches ditches and fence lines without moving the tractor, if a rear remote is free.

02

Y-blades against hammers

This FM-78 is the black/Y option (SKU FM-78-0007); FM-78H here is the hammer version. WoodMaxx says the two blade configurations are not interchangeable.

Choose the blade at purchase: Y-blades for grass, hammers for heavier brush.

03

710 lb against 804 lb mower-only

WoodMaxx’s pages list 710 lb (FM-78 Y) and 804 lb (FM-78H) mower-only, plus a 39-lb shaft; the manual gives 880 lb and 968 lb.

Both are far under a compact-utility lift.

04

Same 30–65 PTO hp

The manual gives 30–65 PTO hp for both blade types on FM-78 and FM-78H.

The power screen is the same for both.

05

$3,900 against $4,620

Observed November 7, 2026.

Side shift and hammers cost $720 more.

A CONDITIONAL SHORTLIST

Which direction makes sense?

Consider FM-78 Y for grass and open ground

Shortlist the fixed Y-blade FM-78 when mowing is mostly grass and no rear remote is free.

Check current price at WoodMaxxPrepare questions for the seller

Consider FM-78H for brush and edges

Shortlist FM-78H when hammers suit the material and a rear remote is available for side shift.

Check current price at WoodMaxxPrepare questions for the seller

Keep these source limits with the decision.

FM-78 Y: the page lists 710 lb mower-only plus a 39-lb shaft; the manual gives 880 lb generic.

FM-78H: the page lists 804 lb mower-only plus a 39-lb shaft; the manual gives 968 lb.

This comparison reuses the manufacturer evidence retained in the product records reviewed November 7, 2026; product pages were not re-fetched on November 9. Both use their current WoodMaxx pages and the 2025-to-current FM-62/78 manual.

FOLLOW THE NUMBERS

Sources & documentation

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

  1. Official fixed FM-78 page: exact black/Y option, USD price, blade guidance and conflictsFixed FM-78 black/Y option SKU FM-78-0007, 30–65 PTO hp, 70-in. cut, 710 lb mower plus 39 lb shaft, price
  2. Current FM-62/62H and FM-78/78H manual: printed pp31,40,45 / PDF pp32,41,46Printed pp31, 40, 45: Y-blade 30–65 PTO hp, 880 lb generic weight, 22 Y-blade sets, no hydraulic side shift
  3. WoodMaxx current manual index: Models 2025 to current
  4. Official FM-78H page: hammer option, price, equipment and conflicting weightsHammer option, hydraulic side shift, 30–65 PTO hp, 804 lb mower plus 39 lb shaft, price