CompareUpdated August 14, 2026
Woodmaxx FM-62H vs MechMaxx NAM68H: side-shift flails
Two hydraulic side-shift Cat 1 flails with different priorities: a 55″ Woodmaxx premium deck with hammer or Y-blade choice, versus a wider 68″ MechMaxx value offset. Specs below are manufacturer-published figures verified 2026-08-05.
By Tom Brennan · Editor
$4,230 · 55″ · 2-year warranty
$2,799 · 68″ · 1-year warranty
Buyer fit
Who should buy the FM-62H vs the NAM68H
Both decks shift hydraulically and need one rear remote. The split is premium narrower cut with blade choice versus wider value offset on a higher published HP floor.
Buy the Woodmaxx FM-62H if…
- + You want a 55″ premium side-shift deck with hammer or Y-blade configuration at order.
- + A 2-year parts warranty and denser published offset geometry matter more than raw width.
- + Your tractor sits in the published 20-45 PTO HP band and may not clear the NAM68H 30 HP floor.
Buy the MechMaxx NAM68H if…
- + You want 13″ more cut per pass plus published 8″ left/right hydraulic travel (16″ total).
- + List price under $2,799 matters more than Y-blade options or a second warranty year.
- + Your tractor fits the published 30-60 PTO HP band and can lift about 820 lb shipping weight.
Spec sheet
Woodmaxx FM-62H vs MechMaxx NAM68H core specs
List prices: FM-62H $4,230 (55″) vs NAM68H $2,799 (68″, 13″ wider). Woodmaxx is about $1,431 more. Machine weights are close (716 lb vs 732 lb).
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| Spec | FM-62H | NAM68H | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cutting width | 55″ | 68″ | NAM68H |
| PTO HP range | 20-45 | 30-60 | FM-62H |
| Hitch | Category 1 | Category 1 | Tie |
| Machine weight | 716 lb | 732 lb | FM-62H |
| Shipping weight | 860 lb | 820 lb | NAM68H |
| List price | $4,230 | $2,799 | NAM68H |
| Price per inch of cut | $77 | $41 | NAM68H |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year | FM-62H |
| Side shift | Hydraulic (no tilt) | Hydraulic (no tilt) | Tie |
| Rear remotes required | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Blade options | hammer, y-blade | hammer | FM-62H |
Offset reach
Side-shift geometry: FM-62H vs NAM68H
Both models are hydraulic side-shift flails that require one rear remote. They do not publish the same travel model. Woodmaxx lists asymmetric left and right positions relative to PTO center on the FM-62H. MechMaxx lists a simpler 8″ left or right stroke on the NAM68H (16″ total travel).
FM-62H published note: Shifted left 36″L/29″R; shifted right 22.5″L/43″R. Requires rear hydraulic remotes; hose ends 1/2-14 NPTF. NAM68H published note: Hydraulic side shift 8″ left or right (16″ total travel). Use those figures for fence lines and tree rows. Do not assume identical reach from a shared "hydraulic side shift" label.
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| Spec | FM-62H | NAM68H | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic side shift | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Published geometry | Shifted left 36″L/29″R; shifted right 22.5″L/43″R. Requires rear hydraulic remotes; hose ends 1/2-14 NPTF. | Hydraulic side shift 8″ left or right (16″ total travel). | FM-62H |
| Travel pattern | Asymmetric L/R positions from PTO center (published) | 8″ left or right (16″ total travel) | FM-62H |
| Rear remotes required | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Cutting width with offset | 55″ deck + hydraulic offset | 68″ deck + 16″ total travel | NAM68H |
Mechanism
Driveline and hammers on FM-62H vs NAM68H
Both publish a 5″ rotor class. The Woodmaxx FM-62H lists 18 hammers at about 1.85 lb each (~33.3 lb total), a 3-belt drive (BX39 (Gates Truflex)), and slip-clutch PTO protection. Rotor speed is published at about 2,160 RPM with 95 mph tip speed.
The MechMaxx NAM68H lists 28 hammers at about 1.8 lb each (~50.4 lb total), a 4-belt drive (V 17x991), and a shear-bolt T6-LF-family PTO path. Manufacturer overview copy claims material capacity up to about 3″ diameter; that remains a published claim, not independent tested proof.
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| Spec | FM-62H | NAM68H | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotor diameter | 5″ | 5″ | Tie |
| Rotor RPM | 2,160 | n/a | Tie |
| Blade tip speed | 95 mph | n/a | Tie |
| Hammer setup | 18 × ~1.85 lb | 28 × ~1.8 lb | NAM68H |
| Total hammer mass | ~33.3 lb | ~50.4 lb | NAM68H |
| Belt drive | 3× BX39 (Gates Truflex) | 4× V 17x991 | Tie |
| PTO protection | Slip clutch (published) | Shear-bolt (published) | Tie |
| Cutting height | 0.75″-3.75″ | 0.6″-2″ | Tie |
Blade options and warranty compared
The FM-62H is ordered as hammer (18 × ~1.85 lb) or Y-blade (36) configuration. That choice is an order-time setup, not a casual later swap. Woodmaxx lists a 2-year parts warranty on the FM-62H.
The NAM68H is hammer-only (28 × ~1.8 lb) with a 1-year warranty. If finish mowing with Y-blades is part of the plan, only the FM-62H offers that option in this pair.
Tractor fit: HP bands and lift capacity
Published HP bands differ. Woodmaxx lists 20-45 PTO HP for the FM-62H. MechMaxx lists 30-60 PTO HP for the NAM68H. A compact in the mid-20s HP range can sit inside the FM-62H band and below the NAM68H floor. Both are Category 1 and need one rear remote for side shift.
Machine weight is 716 lb on the FM-62H and 732 lb on the NAM68H. Shipping weight is 860 lb versus 820 lb. Confirm three-point lift and front ballast before ordering either deck.
Cost: is the FM-62H premium worth it vs the NAM68H?
At $4,230 versus $2,799, the FM-62H costs about $1,431 more. Per inch of cut that is about $77/inch versus $41/inch. Per pound of machine weight the figures are about $5.91/lb versus $3.82/lb. MechMaxx leads width and sticker efficiency. Woodmaxx leads blade choice and warranty years. Total published hammer mass favors the NAM68H (~50.4 lb vs ~33.3 lb) because it carries more hammers on a wider rotor.
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| Spec | FM-62H | NAM68H | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| List price | $4,230 | $2,799 | NAM68H |
| Price / inch of cut | $77 | $41 | NAM68H |
| Price / lb machine weight | $5.91 | $3.82 | NAM68H |
| Warranty years | 2 | 1 | FM-62H |
| Total hammer mass | ~33.3 lb | ~50.4 lb | NAM68H |
| Blade options | hammer, y-blade | hammer | FM-62H |
Woodmaxx FM-62H strengths and tradeoffs
Compact-tractor owners who need offset reach, have at least one rear remote, and want hammer or Y-blade choice with a 2-year parts warranty.
Pros
- Hydraulic side shift for fence lines without repositioning the tractor
- Hammer (18×1.85 lb) or Y-blade (36) choice at order, not interchangeable later
- NSK bearings, Gates belts, over-running clutch gearbox, 2-year parts warranty
Cons
- ~$600 premium over the non-H FM-62
- Requires rear hydraulic remotes Woodmaxx will not supply
- Cat 1 only (not Cat 2); shipping weight ~860 lb, confirm lift capacity
MechMaxx NAM68H strengths and tradeoffs
Buyers who want side-shift reach and a wide hammer rotor at a lower price than Woodmaxx hydraulic models, while accepting a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- 8″ left/right hydraulic shift (16″ total)
- 28 heavy 1.8 lb hammers on the NAM cutting package
- Lower sale price than Woodmaxx FM-62H/FM-78H alternatives
Cons
- Needs one rear remote
- Not a true ditch-bank tilt mower. That is the VAM series
- 1-year warranty and hammer-only rotor
What a JD 3025 owner said about FM-62H that NAM68H still lacks
TractorByNet user tommott77 (May 2019) had an FM-62H about a year on a JD 3025 with about 20 PTO HP. Hours were limited: a dozen or so of lawn work, plus shredded 2–3″ downed branches with ease. Hydraulic shift went straight to loader controls, with left/right reversed. The owner called it overkill for a 1-acre lawn versus a prior 42″ Betstco on a 1023E, and still called the slider handy around trees.
NAM68H written forum volume is still thinner. A public 1-year YouTube review exists (The Roy Boys, Massey Ferguson 1840M, August 2025). Do not treat that as a substitute for the TBN hours on the Woodmaxx side, and do not treat 20 PTO HP as a published NAM68H floor. MechMaxx still lists NAM68H at 30–60 PTO HP.
Owner signal
Owner themes for FM-62H and NAM68H
Woodmaxx FM-62H
Themes paraphrased from TractorByNet (tommott77, May 2019), Woodmaxx-published owner reviews, and Kubota-forum reports on the FM-62H (retrieved 2026-08-14). Not a scientific sample.
- Hydraulic side shift worth it. Fence lines, trees, and ditch edges are the recurring reason owners say the H premium pays off.
- Tall grass capability. Owners report easy handling of tall grass when they keep travel speed matched to density.
- Clipping buildup under the deck. Some owners note clippings bunching under the deck in heavy conditions, which means more cleaning stops.
- Blade choice matches the job. Hammer buyers praise saplings and rough growth; Y-blade buyers highlight cleaner yard-edge finish.
- Hammer bolt inspections. After hard brush work, inspecting hammer bolts and nuts is a repeated caution.
- Compact tractor pairings. Successful reports cluster on Kubota, Kioti, and New Holland compacts when lift capacity and one rear remote are sorted. On TractorByNet, tommott77 ran an FM-62H on a JD 3025 with about 20 PTO HP, shredded 2–3″ downed branches, and plumbed the slider to loader controls (directions reversed).
MechMaxx NAM68H
Written NAM68H forum volume is still thin. Themes blend manufacturer specs with Green Tractor Talk shopping threads and a public 1-year YouTube review (The Roy Boys, Massey Ferguson 1840M, uploaded 2025-08-24). Retrieved 2026-08-14. Not a scientific sample.
- Affordable hydraulic side shift. Shoppers looking at MechMaxx H decks usually cite lower cost per inch of hydraulic travel versus Woodmaxx H models. A public 1-year YouTube review exists for NAM68H on an MF 1840M.
- One-remote requirement. Side-shift use needs a rear remote pair. Green Tractor Talk shoppers who only have loader hydraulics often bounce off NAM68H until they add a rear valve.
- Material claims need caution. Manufacturer overview claims around thicker material capacity (about 3″) are treated as positioning, not proven field data.
- Not a ditch-bank head. Forum buyers comparing NAM-H to VAM keep mixing 16″ slider travel with tilt. NAM68H stays level. Banks that drop away from the tractor are the VAM job.
Final call
FM-62H vs NAM68H: which side-shift flail should you buy?
Choose the Woodmaxx FM-62H when you want a narrower premium side-shift deck, hammer or Y-blade choice, slip-clutch PTO protection, and a 2-year warranty on a published 20-45 PTO HP band. Pay about $1,431 more for that package at $4,230.
Choose the MechMaxx NAM68H when 68″ of cut and 16″ total hydraulic travel matter more than blade flexibility. You get the wider deck for $2,799 with a 1-year warranty, hammer-only rotor, and a published 30-60 PTO HP requirement. Treat the ~3″ material overview claim as published positioning, not tested proof.
Woodmaxx FM-62H vs MechMaxx NAM68H FAQ
How much wider is the MechMaxx NAM68H than the Woodmaxx FM-62H?+
The NAM68H cuts 68″ versus 55″ on the FM-62H, 13″ more per pass. Fence-line work also depends on side-shift geometry, not width alone.
Do both the FM-62H and NAM68H have hydraulic side shift?+
Yes. Both require one rear hydraulic remote. Woodmaxx publishes asymmetric left/right positions from PTO center on the FM-62H (Shifted left 36″L/29″R; shifted right 22.5″L/43″R. Requires rear hydraulic remotes; hose ends 1/2-14 NPTF.). MechMaxx publishes 8″ left or right travel on the NAM68H (16″ total).
Is the Woodmaxx FM-62H worth more than the MechMaxx NAM68H?+
At list price the FM-62H is $4,230 versus $2,799 for the NAM68H, about $1,431 more. That premium buys hammer or Y-blade choice at order, a 2-year warranty, and denser published offset geometry on a narrower 55″ deck. The NAM68H leads on cut width and sticker price.
What PTO horsepower do I need for FM-62H vs NAM68H?+
Woodmaxx publishes 20-45 PTO HP for the FM-62H. MechMaxx publishes 30-60 PTO HP for the NAM68H. A tractor in the mid-20s HP band may sit inside the FM-62H range and below the NAM68H floor. Confirm three-point lift against shipping weights (860 lb vs 820 lb).
Can the MechMaxx NAM68H cut 3-inch material?+
MechMaxx manufacturer overview copy claims material capacity up to about 3″ diameter. Treat that as a published claim, not independent tested proof. Match ground speed and vegetation to your tractor, not brochure diameter alone.
Woodmaxx FM-62H vs MechMaxx NAM68H: which should I buy?+
Buy the FM-62H if you want a narrower premium deck with Y-blade options, a 2-year warranty, and published asymmetric side-shift positions. Buy the NAM68H if you want 68″ of cut plus 16″ total hydraulic travel at $2,799, accepting hammer-only blades and a 1-year warranty.