Several months back I started a post on 3pt wood chippers. I thought it would be beneficial to others to post my thoughts and experience with both the above units. They were both run on the Same B3200 with 23 HP at the PTO.
They both have good points, one had really bad ones. So read on and choose for yourself
Woodmax WM-8H
The bad:
I spent as much time repairing /working on it as I did chipping.
Their service after the sale is horrendous.
Reaching any one by phone for support was impossible
I even tried the investment group that just bought them in May? worse results i n that there was NO response
It's MANDATORY to Write a service request and wait, you might get a response in 24-72 hours.
There were MULTIPLE manufacturing issues with the unit, some minor but time consuming to find, others more significant.
I offered to take another unit due to the numerous defects but they declined
I was told, it is made in China and the quality can be a roll of the dice
NICE!!!
Only two blades and they WTH in a hurry. They said the wood was dirty or had nails in it .
The feed control handle VERY POORLY placed
Constantly had issues keeping the driveshaft horizontal angularity within the recommended range.
Manual / instructions poorly executed
The Good:
Runs great on 23 PTO HP
Its input system will pull most anything in
They gave a full refund and paid shipping
IMO: Biggest improvements to be done?
Improve the Quality
Go to 4 cutting blades
Improve Access to tech support.
Improve access to the flywheel area
Possibly add a small tool box
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Woodland Mills WC-68
The Bad:
Input roller springs were set extremely tight. Unit initially would not take anything over an inch or so in diameter. I called and they said to loosen them. I did so two turns at a time on each side. Each adjustment improved. Finally went as loose as possible. Much better but still requires a bit of effort to get a large piece started
Should update the input system to have dual feed motors like the Woodmax. Or at least a Roller for the bottom. Current design pulls the material in while dragging it on the bottom floor. This creates a lot of resistance on larger pieces
Zerks on front bearing and U joints should be easier to get to
No Hour meter for servicing
The Good:
The feed handle position is far superior.
No issue with reaching tech support or anyone else. THEY ANSWER THE PHONE AFTER THE SALE
Haven’t had to do anything to it yet except the spring adjustment and lube the drive shaft u joints
The clam shell flywheel opening is a real time saver and allows for easy inspection as well as quick blade changes when needed.
Sits much better behind the tractor keeping the driveshaft within recommend angularity
Runs great on 23 PTO HP
Manual well done but could be improved a bit
Biggest improvements they could do IMO:
Add a Lower input roller or better yet a motor driven roller
Devise a means on setting input roller spring tension. Weld a hex nut welded to the upper arm at the crossbar. Adjust both springs to the same length by measuring eyelet bolts. use a torque wrench for recommended settings Measure torque.
Hour meter for service intervals
Improve the manual a bit
Possibly add a small tool box
Based on my experience the WC-68 is the unit to go with
hope this helpful to others
.
They both have good points, one had really bad ones. So read on and choose for yourself
Woodmax WM-8H
The bad:
I spent as much time repairing /working on it as I did chipping.
Their service after the sale is horrendous.
Reaching any one by phone for support was impossible
I even tried the investment group that just bought them in May? worse results i n that there was NO response
It's MANDATORY to Write a service request and wait, you might get a response in 24-72 hours.
There were MULTIPLE manufacturing issues with the unit, some minor but time consuming to find, others more significant.
I offered to take another unit due to the numerous defects but they declined
I was told, it is made in China and the quality can be a roll of the dice
NICE!!!Only two blades and they WTH in a hurry. They said the wood was dirty or had nails in it .
The feed control handle VERY POORLY placed
Constantly had issues keeping the driveshaft horizontal angularity within the recommended range.
Manual / instructions poorly executed
The Good:
Runs great on 23 PTO HP
Its input system will pull most anything in
They gave a full refund and paid shipping
IMO: Biggest improvements to be done?
Improve the Quality
Go to 4 cutting blades
Improve Access to tech support.
Improve access to the flywheel area
Possibly add a small tool box
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Woodland Mills WC-68
The Bad:
Input roller springs were set extremely tight. Unit initially would not take anything over an inch or so in diameter. I called and they said to loosen them. I did so two turns at a time on each side. Each adjustment improved. Finally went as loose as possible. Much better but still requires a bit of effort to get a large piece started
Should update the input system to have dual feed motors like the Woodmax. Or at least a Roller for the bottom. Current design pulls the material in while dragging it on the bottom floor. This creates a lot of resistance on larger pieces
Zerks on front bearing and U joints should be easier to get to
No Hour meter for servicing
The Good:
The feed handle position is far superior.
No issue with reaching tech support or anyone else. THEY ANSWER THE PHONE AFTER THE SALE
Haven’t had to do anything to it yet except the spring adjustment and lube the drive shaft u joints
The clam shell flywheel opening is a real time saver and allows for easy inspection as well as quick blade changes when needed.
Sits much better behind the tractor keeping the driveshaft within recommend angularity
Runs great on 23 PTO HP
Manual well done but could be improved a bit
Biggest improvements they could do IMO:
Add a Lower input roller or better yet a motor driven roller
Devise a means on setting input roller spring tension. Weld a hex nut welded to the upper arm at the crossbar. Adjust both springs to the same length by measuring eyelet bolts. use a torque wrench for recommended settings Measure torque.
Hour meter for service intervals
Improve the manual a bit
Possibly add a small tool box
Based on my experience the WC-68 is the unit to go with
hope this helpful to others
.
