When you’re running a farm, managing wooded acreage, or maintaining trails and fencelines, dealing with branches, fallen limbs, and heavy brush is a never-ending task. That’s where a 3-point hitch wood chipper comes in—built to connect directly to your tractor’s PTO (Power Take-Off), these machines offer heavy-duty performance without the complexity or cost of gas-powered standalone chippers.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best 3-point hitch wood chippers currently available, what features you should consider when buying, and how to choose the right one based on your tractor and property size.
Why Choose a 3-Point Hitch Wood Chipper?
3-point hitch wood chippers are PTO-powered units designed for tractors equipped with Category 1 or 2 three-point hitches. Unlike gas or electric wood chippers, they don’t have their own engine—instead, they rely on your tractor’s power to drive the blades and flywheel. This not only reduces maintenance but also allows for more efficient operation, especially on large or rural properties where hauling a gas chipper can be impractical.
Here’s why they’re favored by farmers, landowners, and forestry professionals:
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Powerful performance without the bulk of an engine
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Lower cost of ownership (no gas, spark plugs, or starter issues)
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Easily towed with your tractor across any terrain
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Compact storage and fewer moving parts to maintain
Whether you’re cleaning up after a storm, pruning an orchard, or clearing brush along fence lines, a good PTO chipper turns hours of hauling and burning into a simple, efficient mulching operation.
Best 3-Point Hitch Wood Chippers in 2024
Let’s take a look at the top-performing PTO wood chippers currently available for farm and professional use.
1. WoodMaxx MX-8800 PTO Wood Chipper
Best for: Mid-size tractors and heavy-duty property work
The WoodMaxx MX-8800 is one of the most popular PTO wood chippers on the market for good reason. It’s built for tractors with 19 to 50 HP, making it an excellent fit for many small to mid-size tractors found on farms and homesteads.
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Chipping Capacity: Up to 8 inches
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Feed System: Self-feeding with a horizontal infeed chute
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Blades: Reversible high-carbon tool steel
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Construction: Heavy-duty powder-coated steel
This chipper offers a compact but robust build, capable of handling large branches and small logs with ease. The flywheel is well-balanced, minimizing vibration and ensuring smoother operation. For landowners needing to process hardwood, pine, or mixed brush, this unit performs without hesitation.
2. Woodland Mills WC68 6-Inch PTO Wood Chipper
Best for: Daily use on small farms and forested acreage
If your tractor is in the 20–50 HP range, the Woodland Mills WC68 is a workhorse of a chipper. With a maximum capacity of 6 inches, this machine is ideal for general brush cleanup, tree trimming, and even clearing out trails and firewood debris.
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Chipping Capacity: Up to 6 inches
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Rotor Size: 24 inches, ¾-inch thick steel plate
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Self-feed System: Gravity-fed chute, well-angled
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Adjustable Chute: 360° discharge rotation
This machine is especially popular for its ease of maintenance, straightforward assembly, and consistent performance. The rotor features four reversible blades, extending the lifespan before needing a replacement. It’s compact enough to store easily and moves smoothly with your tractor around any kind of terrain.
3. Wallenstein BX42S PTO Wood Chipper
Best for: Compact tractors and light commercial work
The Wallenstein BX42S is a great solution if you have a compact or subcompact tractor with a PTO output between 15 and 30 HP. Despite its smaller footprint, it still chips up to 4-inch diameter wood effectively.
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Chipping Capacity: Up to 4 inches
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Construction: Canadian-made steel frame
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Rotor and Blade: Dual blade with heavy flywheel
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Feed Type: Self-feeding design
It’s easy to set up and maintain, and the performance is ideal for orchards, vineyards, and small woodlots. Its 360° discharge chute makes it flexible to operate whether you’re mulching into rows or loading chips into a trailer.
4. Salsco 627XT PTO Chipper
Best for: Landscapers and contractors needing hydraulic feeding
The Salsco 627XT stands out for its hydraulic infeed system, which gives it an edge over gravity-fed models when dealing with irregular or crooked branches. This chipper is built for commercial use, making it perfect for tree services, utility companies, and landscaping crews with access to powerful tractors.
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Chipping Capacity: 6 inches
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Tractor HP: 30+ HP recommended
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Hydraulic Feed: Dual horizontal rollers
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Build Quality: Industrial-grade, powder-coated steel
This unit is more expensive than gravity-fed models, but the added efficiency and safety make it well worth the investment for professionals who chip regularly and under tight deadlines.
5. Bear Cat CH9540H PTO Chipper
Best for: Heavy-duty farm and forestry use
The Bear Cat CH9540H is a beast of a chipper, offering an incredible 9-inch capacity and a robust hydraulic feed system. It’s suitable for tractors with 35–60 HP and is made to devour large limbs, full tree tops, and dense brush with ease.
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Chipping Capacity: Up to 9 inches
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Rotor: Heavy-duty flywheel with four cutting blades
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Hydraulic System: Adjustable feed speed
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Weight: Over 1,000 lbs
If you regularly tackle big clearing jobs or run a tree service company, this machine delivers high-output chipping without the downtime or bogging that comes with smaller units.
What to Look for in a 3-Point Hitch Wood Chipper
Choosing the right PTO wood chipper isn’t just about capacity—it’s about matching the right features to your needs and tractor setup.
1. Chipping Capacity
Most PTO chippers offer between 4″ to 9″ capacity, but you should size up slightly from your average branch diameter. If you’re dealing mostly with brush and limbs under 3 inches, a 6-inch chipper will give you the right margin for smooth operation.
2. Tractor PTO Compatibility
Always check your tractor’s PTO horsepower and category. Most chippers will list the required range, such as 20–50 HP. Also confirm that the PTO shaft length and type are compatible with your hitch configuration.
3. Feed System
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Self-Feeding: Relies on gravity and rotor momentum. Best for straight branches and less maintenance.
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Hydraulic Feed: Uses powered rollers to pull material in. Ideal for irregular wood and higher throughput.
Hydraulic feed chippers cost more but greatly reduce operator fatigue and increase safety.
4. Blade Design
Look for reversible, hardened steel blades. These last longer and can be flipped when worn to extend their lifespan. Access panels should be easy to open for blade changes or clearing jams.
5. Discharge Chute
A 360° rotating chute is highly recommended, as it lets you direct chips where you want—into a pile, trailer, or compost bin. Adjustable deflectors add even more control over chip output.
Conclusion: Find the Right PTO Chipper for Your Tractor and Tasks
If you’re clearing land, managing orchards, or just keeping your farm clean and productive, a 3-point hitch wood chipper is an investment that pays for itself in time and labor saved. From simple brush clearing to full tree takedowns, the right chipper paired with your tractor makes quick work of even the most stubborn debris.
Top Picks Recap:
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WoodMaxx MX-8800 – Best overall balance of price and power
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Woodland Mills WC68 – Ideal for small-to-mid tractors and daily farm work
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Wallenstein BX42S – Great for compact tractors and light users
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Salsco 627XT – Hydraulic-fed powerhouse for pros
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Bear Cat CH9540H – Ultimate high-capacity chipper for serious operators
Still unsure which one fits your setup? Think about your tractor’s HP, the type of debris you deal with, and how often you’ll use the chipper. Once you find the right fit, your cleanup jobs will become smoother, faster, and a lot more productive.