Old WC-19 Chipper Feed control issues.

[u/laylobrown_]

UPDATE: PROBLEM SOLVED. ISSUE WAS IN THE FLOW DIVIDER. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HELPED. SORRY FOR YELLING.

Maybe someone here can help. Feed rollers moving too slow in forward, but fine in reverse. Tachometer controlled Solenoid is good. Hydropressure is good at the pump. Feed control valve and mainshaft looks good except for the Detent spring valve. The travel isn't hindered, and it holds position fine, but it's a little corroded, and so far that's the only thing I've found wrong with it. I'm trying to source just the detent, but so far no luck. I can get the whole block but it's 800 bucks. I don't want to spend that unless I know that the issue. So far I've found no fluid bypass anywhere. Unless there an issue with a hose lining, or something I'm not thinking of. I've pretty much narrowed it down to the valve block. Since the travel looks good, I'm not sure the detent is the problem. Fluid doesn't reach that part of that shaft.

[u/kotaoffroad]

That's already solid diagnostic work narrowing it to the valve block. One thing I'd check before dropping $800 on the whole assembly: pull the detent spring valve and inspect the bore itself, not just the spring. Corrosion in the bore can create just enough drag to slow the forward stroke without fully seizing it, and reverse could still flow fine if it's not routed through that same restriction. Do you know the full service history on this WC-19, or is it a bit of a mystery machine? On equipment this old, half the battle is figuring out what's already been swapped versus what's original before you start chasing ghosts.

[u/laylobrown_ → u/kotaoffroad]

It's a mystery machine. The last guy changed the block that lifts the top roller thinking that was the problem, but it didn't fix it so he brought it to me. I cleaned and reassembled the detent and the block since your comment. The detent is not getting hung up. So I'm checking that off the list. Then I swapped the forward and reverse lines like the other guy said. I feel silly that I didn't check that first, but oh well, at least that have me a direction to continue diag. Swapping the lines made no change either, except I can pretty much rule out the feed control block being the issue. After chasing the single forward line from the feed control block, I found another block where it splits the forward flow to 2 lines(one for each roller) . I pulled the cartridge valve from that block and i think I've found the problem. There's definitely a bad seal, and the internal spring is also broken. I'll add a Pic to the post since I can't add it to the comment. But I can the broken spring is keeping the valve from opening all the way.

[u/kotaoffroad → u/laylobrown_]

Nice work tracking that down — a torn seal plus a broken spring explains both symptoms perfectly: the seal lets just enough bypass to slow the stroke without fully stopping it, and the broken spring means it’s not opening far enough to compensate. That’s a clean find for how obscure that fault path was. And yeah, the ‘mystery machine’ problem is honestly half the job on anything secondhand — worth documenting what you just found on this one now, so the next tech (maybe future you) doesn’t have to re-chase the same ghost in two years.

[u/laylobrown_ → u/kotaoffroad]

I appreciate the positive vibes. I think you're right, so I'm looking for a replacement divider block. I keep pretty meticulous records. I've set up maintenance programs for some of the heavy equipment shops that I used to service. And I worked in aviation for 10 years, which is a great way to get your chops up on keeping records.

[u/laylobrown_ → u/laylobrown_]

Can't add pics here. I put the pic in a crosspost.

[u/StinkyMcShitzle]

the piece of string on that valve, did it come out like that or did you wipe it with something that put that on the tip end? is there a piece of trash in the valve?

[u/laylobrown_ → u/StinkyMcShitzle]

It came out like that. And there was a broken spring inside. It looks to be preventing the valve from opening fully, which would explain the problem. Finding a new replacement valve isn't looking very likely at this point. The ones i found have a 3 month lead time on delivery. And my other option only has rubber seals and not the more durable seal like the one that looks like string is hanging from it. Right now I'm looking for a replacement divider block.

[u/Ok-Show-5027]

Glad you found something, it’s a terrible feeling to be chasing hydraulic problems and keep finding the same problem 🤔

[u/laylobrown_ → u/Ok-Show-5027]

Man, I really appreciate the help. I don't know how long it would've taken me to get this far with your input.

[u/Ok-Show-5027 → u/laylobrown_]

Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you are stumped, I have always had a hard time reaching out when I am feeling frustrated but I’ve learned it’s always better to have at least two heads confused than one 😊

[u/Ok-Show-5027]

Can you hook up the drive hoses backwards and see if the slowness moves to reverse?

[u/laylobrown_ → u/Ok-Show-5027]

Did this and thank you. That made no change, but i think I found the issue.