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THE ACREAGE EQUIPMENT FIELD GUIDE

PTO chipper full-capacity horsepower: which tractors reach it

Several chippers publish two power figures: a minimum to run at all, and a higher line for full-diameter wood at full feed. The table counts how many tractor configurations here that fit each chipper also reach its full-capacity line.

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

PTO wood chippers at work
In this guide

THE DECISION IN NUMBERS

Full-capacity lines against the configurations that fit each chipper

Last column: configurations at or over the full-capacity line, of those the screen does not exclude for that chipper. Over means strictly greater; 50+ means 50 or more.

Scroll the table sideways on smaller screens.

ChipperOperating rangeFull-capacity conditionReach it
Woodland Mills WC4615–30 PTO hpOver 20 PTO hp for full 4-inch logs at full feed46 of 100
Woodland Mills WC6820–50 PTO hpOver 40 PTO hp for full 6-inch logs at full feed46 of 172
Woodland Mills WC8835+ PTO hpOver 60 PTO hp for full 8-inch logs at full feed11 of 120
WoodMaxx WM-8H19+ PTO hpFull 8-inch capacity at 50 PTO hp59 of 254
WoodMaxx WM-8M19+ PTO hpFull 8-inch softwood at 50+ PTO hp59 of 250
WoodMaxx MX-880020+ PTO hpFull 8-inch at “50+ HP” (basis not repeated)59 of 237
WoodMaxx MX-990025+ PTO hpFull 9-inch at “50+ HP” (basis not repeated)59 of 228
Sources for this decision table (10)

Two numbers, two jobs

A chipper’s minimum PTO hp is the least it will run on. Woodland Mills and WoodMaxx also state the power needed to chip their largest rated wood at full speed. Between the two, the chipper works but feeds big wood more slowly.

Woodland Mills: over 20, 40 and 60

Woodland Mills ties full feed to over 20 PTO hp for WC46, over 40 for WC68 and over 60 for WC88. ‘Over’ means a tractor exactly at the line does not reach it.

WoodMaxx: 50+

WoodMaxx associates full 8-inch capacity with 50+ PTO hp on WM-8H and WM-8M (the FAQ narrows WM-8M’s claim to softwood), and with “50+ HP” on MX-8800 and MX-9900 without repeating the basis. Treat 50 as a capacity claim, not a ceiling.

What to do below the line

Below the full-capacity line, choose a chipper whose full-speed diameter matches the wood you cut most, or plan to feed large wood slowly. Ask the maker how capacity falls with power for your species.

Take these questions with you.

  1. What diameter do I chip most often?
  2. Does my tractor reach the chipper’s full-capacity line, not just its minimum?
  3. Is the full-capacity figure PTO hp?
  4. Does capacity depend on wood species or moisture?

Keep these questions with your exact tractor and attachment details.

Use these questions in my seller brief

FOLLOW THE NUMBERS

Sources & documentation

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

  1. Woodland Mills official U.S. product page — Capacity and hydraulic infeed sections; current priceProduct page: capacity and full-capacity power statement
  2. Woodland Mills official U.S. product page — Capacity and hydraulic infeed sections; current priceProduct page: capacity and full-capacity power statement
  3. Official U.S. WC88 page: price, capacity and drive systemProduct page: capacity and full-capacity power statement
  4. Official WM-8H product page: power, feed, hitch and priceProduct page: capacity and full-capacity power statement
  5. Official WM-8M page: configuration, 775 lb hitch weight and priceProduct page: capacity and full-capacity power statement
  6. Official MX-8800 page: power/capacity claims, feed, hitch and current sale priceProduct page: capacity and full-capacity power statement
  7. Official MX-9900 page: power/capacity claims, feed, hitch and current sale priceProduct page: capacity and full-capacity power statement
  8. Woodland Mills WC46 operator manual, Rev C, 28-May-2024 — Printed p9 product/shipping weights; p12 Cat 1 and PTO range; operation/setup sectionsRev C printed p9: 15–30 PTO hp; full 4-inch over 20 PTO hp
  9. Woodland Mills WC68 operator manual, Rev C, 28-May-2024 — Printed p9 product/shipping weights; p12 Cat 1 and PTO range; operation/setup sectionsRev C printed p9: 20–50 PTO hp; full 6-inch over 40 PTO hp
  10. Current linked WC88 operator manual, Rev C, 22-Aug-2022Rev C: 35+ PTO hp; full 8-inch over 60 PTO hp
  11. WM-8M manual linked by current WoodMaxx manual index
  12. WoodMaxx FAQ, question 1: mechanical versus hydraulic feed
  13. MX-9900 manual Rev C, September 18, 2026: specifications and setup
  14. WoodMaxx current manufacturer manual index

EQUIPMENT IN THIS GUIDE

Check prices and fit for the attachments discussed.

MAKE THE NEXT CHECK

Continue with the related decision.

FIELD GUIDE

Dry vs. fresh wood: which chipper capacity applies?

A chipper’s largest advertised diameter may apply only to a particular material and power condition. Before comparing machines, record whether your wood is fresh or dry, its species if known, and the diameter you handle most often. A condition-matched capacity statement is more useful than a large number detached from its qualifications.

Read the guide →FIELD GUIDE

Chipper feed rate vs. throughput: what can estimate job time?

A faster-looking specification does not necessarily tell you how soon a brush pile will be cleared. Feed speed measures movement into the machine; processing volume measures an amount of material over time. Maximum branch diameter answers a third question. Compare those labels separately before asking a seller for a time estimate tied to your job.

Read the guide →FIELD GUIDE

Woodland Mills WC68’s “over 40 PTO hp” line: which tractors clear it

Woodland Mills rates WC68 at 20–50 PTO hp, then ties full 6-inch logs at full infeed speed to over 40 PTO hp. Many mid-size compact tractors sit within a couple of horsepower of that line, and for several the transmission or the document decides it. A tractor exactly at 40 is inside the range but not over the line.

Read the guide →

MAKE THE TRADEOFFS CLEAR

Read a focused comparison.

SIDE BY SIDE

Wallenstein BX52S vs WoodMaxx MX-9900: engine-rated 5-inch or PTO-rated 9-inch

BX52S or MX-9900?

Read the guide →SIDE BY SIDE

Farmry WCAP5 PRO vs WoodMaxx MX-9900: 5-inch gravity or 9-inch hydrostatic feed

WCAP5 PRO or MX-9900?

Read the guide →SIDE BY SIDE

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

Sub-compact or compact: TFG55 or WM-8M?

Read the guide →
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