Woodmaxx · ReviewUpdated 2026-08-05
Woodmaxx FM-78 review
The FM-78 is the wide, non-hydraulic Woodmaxx FM choice: 70″ of cut for 30–65 HP tractors that prioritize open-field coverage over adjustable offset.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Big step up in acres-per-hour vs 55″ machines
- Hammer or Y-blade configuration
- Factory-direct pricing vs dealer-mark brands
Cons
- Needs real utility horsepower and lift capacity
- No side shift for tight orchard rows
01What the FM-78 actually is
Woodmaxx publishes a 70″ cutting width, 80″ overall width, 710 lb machine weight, and 900 lb shipping weight for the FM-78. The horsepower band is 30–65 HP.
The product copy has a hitch-category conflict: the intro mentions Category 1 & 2, while the detailed footer says Category 1 Only. The catalog follows the detailed spec and treats it as Category 1.
02Where the wide fixed deck makes sense
The FM-78 is about width and simplicity. Its fixed offset reaches about 46″ right and 33″ left from PTO center, which helps cover the tractor track and trim one side, but it is not hydraulic side shift.
Owner themes emphasize a better finish than a rotary cutter, effective tall-grass mowing, and satisfaction with the wide path per pass. If your work is mostly open pasture, this is the simpler 70″ Woodmaxx choice.
03Blade choice on the 70-inch deck
Woodmaxx lists 22 hammers at about 1.85 lb each or 44 Y-blades, with an additional 22 center blades in the Y setup per Woodmaxx's description. Hammers are the owner-preferred theme in tall grass and mixed rough growth.
Y-blades remain the finish-oriented choice, especially when the job is grass rather than brush. As with the smaller FM mowers, make the decision at order based on the dominant use case.
04Build and tractor fit
Verified specs include a 5″ rotor at about 2160 RPM, 14.8125″ swing diameter, 95 mph tip speed, 3/4″–3.75″ cutting height, and 3× BX39 Gates belts with automatic tensioning.
The 710 lb machine weight is not extreme for the class, but the 80″ overall width and 900 lb shipping weight are utility-tractor territory. Confirm lift, ballast, storage width, and trailer/loading plans before buying.
What's in the box
- FM-78 flail mower deck (hammer or Y-blade configuration as ordered)
- Category 1 three-point hitch mounting
- PTO driveline
- Fixed-offset mower frame
- Rear gauge roller
- 3× BX39 Gates belt drive with automatic tensioner
- Tractor with Category 1 three-point hitch and 540 RPM PTO
- Front ballast if your tractor needs it for a ~710 lb deck
- Hydraulic side-shift cylinder or rear remote connection
- Alternate blade style beyond the configuration ordered
- Woodmaxx intro copy conflicts with the detailed footer on hitch category; this catalog uses Category 1 Only.
- The 80″ overall width affects gates, trailer loading, and storage more than the 70″ cut width.
Full specifications
Normalized from manufacturer data (verified 2026-08-05). Always confirm on the current product page before you order.
- Brand
- Woodmaxx
- Model
- FM-78
- Cutting width
- 70″
- Overall width
- 80″
- PTO horsepower
- 30–65 HP
- Min HP per foot of cut
- 5.14
- Hitch
- Category 1
- Offset
- Fixed offset
- Side-shift detail
- Fixed offset from PTO center: extends 46″ right / 33″ left. Not hydraulic.
- Rear remotes required
- 0
- Machine weight
- 710 lb
- Shipping weight
- 900 lb
- Cutting height
- ¾″–3¾″
- Rotor diameter
- 5″
- Rotor RPM
- 2,160 RPM
- Blade swing diameter
- 14.8125″
- Blade tip speed
- 95 mph
- Hammer blades
- 22 × 1.85 lb (40.7 lb total)
- Y-blades
- 44
- Blade options
- hammer / y-blade
- Belts
- 3 × BX39 (Gates Truflex)
- Drive notes
- 3× BX39 Gates belts, automatic belt tensioner, reverse-rotating 5″ rotor, oil-bath gearbox, rear gate
- Price (list)
- $3,900
- Warranty
- 2 years parts
- Specs verified
- 2026-08-05
Tractor compatibility
- Match PTO horsepower to 30–65 HP. Use PTO HP from the tractor manual, not engine HP. Published mins in this catalog are all at least 3.0 HP per foot of cut.
- Machine weight is about 710 lb (shipping ~900 lb) — confirm your tractor’s 3-point lift capacity with margin for the PTO shaft and terrain.
- Hitch requirement: Category 1.
- No rear remotes required for cutting. A standard 540 RPM PTO and matching hitch is enough.
- Ballast the front end on steep or soft ground, especially with wider decks (70″).
Who should buy the FM-78, and who should skip it
Utility-tractor owners who want a heavier 70″ fixed-offset flail for pastures, field edges, and tall grass, and who do not need a rear remote-driven side shift.
You need 70″ coverage without hydraulic shift
The FM-78 covers ground faster than 55″ models while avoiding a rear-remote requirement.
Your tractor fits the 30–65 HP range
A utility tractor with enough lift and ballast can take advantage of the wider rotor.
You prefer hammers for tall grass and rough fields
Owner themes point to hammer satisfaction in tall grass and heavier property maintenance.
You need adjustable offset around obstacles
The FM-78H adds hydraulic side shift for fences, trees, and orchards.
Your hitch needs Category 2 compatibility
Woodmaxx's detailed footer says Category 1 Only despite conflicting intro copy.
Your property is tight or heavily treed
An 80″ overall deck is harder to place than the 55″ or 47″ models.
Alternatives to consider
Accessories worth planning for
Front ballast / loader ballastOptional
Worth checking for a ~710 lb mower, especially on sloped pasture or during transport.
Replacement hammer or Y-blade kitOptional
Wear parts for the 22-hammer or 44-Y-blade configuration selected at order.
Spare BX39 belt setOptional
The FM-78 uses three BX39 Gates belts; stocking a set helps avoid field downtime.
Freight unloading planOptional
A pallet fork, loader, or delivery dock is useful for a roughly 900 lb shipment.
Hammers vs Y-blades
Hammer blades
22 hammers · ~1.85 lb each
Best for: Tall grass, rough pasture, field edges, and mixed growth
Finish: Mulched / field finish
Owner themes on the FM-78 favor hammers for tall grass and rougher field work.
Y-blades
44 knives + 22 center blades per Woodmaxx description
Best for: Grass finish across wider open areas
Finish: Cleaner finish than hammers
Use this setup when cut appearance matters more than impact tolerance.
Choose the rotor/blade configuration at order; do not assume the 70″ deck can be cheaply converted later.
What owners say about the FM-78
Themes paraphrased from Woodmaxx-published owner reviews and adjacent FM-78 ownership comments (retrieved 2026-08-07). Not a scientific sample.
- Cleaner finish than a rotary cutter. Owners commonly say the FM-78 leaves a cleaner, more even result than older brush hogs on field edges and grass.
- Chest-high grass and weeds. Hammer setups get praise for waist- to chest-high grass and mixed field growth when paced carefully.
- Wide-path efficiency. The 70″ cut is valued for fewer passes on open ground versus 55″ machines.
- Build perception. Buyers repeatedly call the deck beefy and well built relative to cheaper import alternatives they cross-shopped.
- No hydraulic reach. Fixed-offset simplicity is fine for open work, but fence and orchard buyers often reconsider the FM-78H.
Detailed specifications & features
70″ fixed-offset PTO flail mower for 30–65 HP tractors.
Manufacturer copy conflicts on hitch category; the detailed footer says Category 1 Only, so this record uses Category 1.
Choose 22 hammer blades or 44 Y-blades at order. Woodmaxx notes 22 center blades in the Y setup.
Build highlights include a 5″ rotor, three BX39 Gates belts, automatic tensioner, rear gate, and 5.25″ rear roller.
Key features
- +Category 1 based on detailed manufacturer footer
- +710 lb machine weight and 900 lb shipping weight
- +Fixed offset — 46″ right / 33″ left from PTO center
- +22 hammers (~1.85 lb each) or 44 Y-blades
- +5″ rotor at approximately 2160 RPM with ~95 mph tip speed
Manufacturer-published specs
- Cutting width
- 70 in
- Overall width
- 80 in
- Cutting height
- 3/4 – 3-3/4 in
- PTO horsepower
- 30–65 HP
- Hitch type
- Category 1
- Machine weight
- 710 lb
- Shipping weight
- 900 lb
- Blade count
- 22 hammer or 44 Y-blades (+22 center blades per Woodmaxx)
- Hammer weight
- Approximately 1.85 lb each
- Blade tip speed
- 95 mph
- Blade swing diameter
- 14-13/16 in
- Rotor
- 5 in tube at approximately 2160 RPM
- Drive belts
- 3× BX39 Gates Truflex
- Offset
- Fixed 46″ right / 33″ left from PTO center
- Rear roller
- 5.25 in with tapered ends
- Warranty
- 2-year parts (see Woodmaxx policy)
Specifications sourced from the manufacturer’s product page on August 5, 2026. Specs may change without notice.
FAQ
What tractor size fits the Woodmaxx FM-78?+
Woodmaxx lists the FM-78 for 30–65 HP tractors. Machine weight is 710 lb and shipping weight is 900 lb, so confirm three-point lift capacity and ballast.
Is the FM-78 Category 1 or Category 2?+
Woodmaxx copy conflicts: the intro mentions Category 1 & 2, but the detailed footer says Category 1 Only. This catalog uses Category 1.
Does the FM-78 have hydraulic side shift?+
No. The FM-78 is fixed-offset only. Woodmaxx lists about 46″ right and 33″ left from PTO center.
FM-78 vs FM-78H, what changes?+
The FM-78H adds hydraulic side shift, weighs 804 lb instead of 710 lb, costs more, and requires one rear remote. The FM-78 is simpler for open fields.
Should I order hammers or Y-blades on the FM-78?+
Choose hammers for tall grass, rough pasture, and mixed growth. Choose Y-blades when grass finish is the priority. Woodmaxx lists 22 hammers or 44 Y-blades, with 22 center blades in the Y setup per its description.
How wide is the FM-78?+
Cutting width is 70″ and overall width is 80″. Use the overall width for gates, trailer loading, and storage checks.
What rotor specs does the FM-78 use?+
Verified specs list a 5″ rotor at about 2160 RPM, 14.8125″ blade swing diameter, and about 95 mph blade tip speed.
Is the FM-78 better than a rotary cutter?+
Owner themes describe a cleaner finish than a rotary cutter, especially in tall grass and field edges. A rotary cutter can still be simpler for rough knockdown and oversized material.
What warranty does the FM-78 include?+
Woodmaxx publishes a minimum 2-year parts warranty on equipment. Labor is not covered. Their published process is phone diagnosis with repair parts shipped first; photos or video may be required. For the FM-78, treat that as the brand baseline and confirm current terms on the Woodmaxx returns and warranty page before purchase.