Chipper Woodmaxx vs Jinma chipper

[nra4ever]

Just checking in for a quick review. I live in Indiana and the chipper is stored out in an unheated barn. **** thing runs great when I need it. It's out there uncovered and the paint is holding up well. It gets dusty but it gets to work when needed. So far same blades are going strong with out being sharpened or reversed. If you need a chipper get this chipper and it won't let you down. Best bang for the buck! I have the hydraulic unit and love it.

 

[Reg]

Has anyone felt the need to reverse the bolts protruding into the hopper? I would think some button heads would let things flow better. Has anyone done it, or even considered it?

It is suggested in the assembly instructions, though maybe not for ALL of the bolts.
If/when I get one (STILL procrastinating) I might do this, it will depend on what my intuition tells me at the time.
Button heads ? Maybe, but once I start assembling things I typically don't stop to go to the hardware store for upgrades or design changes.

I would do it more to avoid burring over exposed threads, which makes dismantling hard - Yes, wood CAN abrade steel over time and wood that has been dragged through sand and soil can be very abrasive.

 

[arkbound]

So far I too am contemplating a Woodmaxx but still struggling with the mechanical or hydraulic unit. I have a Kubota L2800 tractor with a Harbor Freight quick hitch. So 22 or 23 HP @ PTO with lift 1,435 lbs at 24 inch. Perfect setup for the tractor and Woodmaxx. The extra $500 for the hydraulic model is it really worth it? I have 20 acres of oak woods with many dead trees to clean up. Plenty of small saplings to thin out too. lol

 

[Aquamoose]

Oak & saplings? Definitely go for a hydraulic unit so you can vary the speeds. I got the manual unit since I chip only pine & fir.
Woodmaxx has never failed me.

 

[hslogger]

Man, get the the hydraulic feed unit. Repeat. get the hydraulic feed unit.Woodmaxx WM8H rocks!

 

[Code54]

Man, get the the hydraulic feed unit. Repeat. get the hydraulic feed unit.Woodmaxx WM8H rocks!

X2 - they Hydro lets you chip BIG stuff very easily because you control the feed rate. I had a Manual feed chipper in the past and the Woodmaxx hydro is a LOT nicer and worth the extra money.

 

[ksbrdmkr]

My Woodmaxx WM-8H arrived last Wednesday and spent about 4 hours setting it up. The instructions where ok but not completely up to date. There are more bolts in the current chipper and a 10 mm and 17 mm wrenches are required. I like the hyd feed, very easy to stop and reverse. Wrapped some willow around the infeed roll but reversed and they loosen up enough to feed. The Kioti DK 45 runs it great but for a smaller tractor frame I would want it as close to the tractor as possible, no quick hitches, because it is heavy.

 

[davx]

I've been running my WM8 for about 3 years now. Both my neighbor and I have put a lot through it. I have no regrets on the purchase and mountains of chipped mulch to show for it. Here are some additional thoughts. Once in a while a branch of just the right shape may jam in the slot where the in-feed roller rides. It may require some clever manipulation with a crow bar to dislodge it. This could probably be avoided if they had some sort of collar shield the slot the roller rides up and down in. In fact, in a couple instances I've had the roller itself walk out to the side and catch on the edge of this slot. One other recommendation from a maintenance stand point is to thoroughly check that all the set and other screws are tight every few chipping sessions. I've had a few parts vibrate loose (infeed height adjustment bolt & roller infeed drive chuck & key) but was luckily able to find them in the lawn and put them back together. If I had rear remote hydraulics I probably would opt for the hydro in-feed. On my manual model when I put a bigger / stronger log through it I moderate the feed by raising the roller every so often. Chipper

 

[roadhunter]

I don't think the hydraulic feed unit requires the tractors hydraulic remotes. I believe it is self contained.

 

[Code54]

I don't think the hydraulic feed unit requires the tractors hydraulic remotes. I believe it is self contained.

Correct - it is powered off the pto, rear remotes are not needed for the Woodmaxx Hydro 8".

 

[arkbound]

Oak & saplings? Definitely go for a hydraulic unit so you can vary the speeds. I got the manual unit since I chip only pine & fir.
Woodmaxx has never failed me.

Wow! Thanks Aquamoose and others for your replies. I need to shorten my labels so I can see when something comes in. :laughing: LOL I guess I will have to save up and perhaps get the hydraulic unit next year. I really like the idea of being able to reverse the unit in regard to entanglements. A slow feed for a larger log is also a big plus. Thanks again guys!! :thumbsup:

 

[Code54]

That is good advice, the various speeds are useful. I had a large limb the other day, about 30' long and a solid 6" thick at the base. I lifted it up to my woodmaxx with my Mini Ex and slid it into the shoot, I had it set on slow feed so I just supported the other end with my mini and it feed perfectly. I was shocked how well it worked - even the side branches bent in and got chipped up in no time. With my old self feeder that would never have worked!

 

[ksbrdmkr]

When feeding in hedge branches it sure is nice to have slow speed to get away from the thorns.

 

[Huskerfan]

Definitely hydraulic feed. You need to vary the speed of limb entry in hardwoods like 6 inch oak. Reverse is useful to stop or back a limb out if you hear the tractor losing rpm. The Woodmaxx hydraulic units have there own pto driven pump.

 

[KiotiWhite]

Always the contrarian I'll disagree with the conventional wisdom and say that no, you MIGHT not need to spend the extra on hyd feed.
Mostly depends on how you'll be using your Maxx.
In my case, pretty much anything above 4" or so is firewood so the feed speed issue others speak of isn't a problem 99% of the time and when it is I modulate by lifting the infeed roller.
If money is no object then by all means go for it, I'm sure you won't regret the purchase and as they say "it only hurts for a little while".
OTOH though, if your usage will be similar to mine I think you'd be perfectly happy with the mechanical infeed - I know I am.
Two years and probably a couple hundred hours on mine and I can count on one hand the number of "jams" and only one time did the chipper ever stall the tractor (28hp Bobcat) and that was when a chunk of 3/8 cable snuck in and wound itself around the flywheel shaft.
All in all, I continue to be amazed at how well built, designed, and functional the Maxx is - even without hyd feed.

 

[LouieJunior]

I decided it was time to change my knives again on my Woodmaxx 8H. The two flywheel knives are easily accessible and I have changed these several times before. I have not changed the bed knife before and now wonder if there is some trick to it. I can not even reach the Allen head screws after raising the infeed roller. There are openings on both sides -- but too small to get your hand in. I can only turn the hex nuts underneath. What is suggested? Do I have to remove all the panels of the infeed bin?

 

[Code54]

I would give Woodmaxx a quick call and ask them. There customer service seems excellent and they maybe able to give you a few tips to make it easier.