Woodland Mills WC46 Chipper Not Working - Hydraulic Fluid Leaking & Infeed Issue

[jacksmithers]

I ordered a new Woodland Mills WC46 chipper for my Kubota BX2680 and it arrived this past Friday. I assembled it according to instructions and everything went smoothly. However, it doesn't work.

Here is what happened:

1) On my first use, I chipped one smaller sized branch and then it stopped working. That is, the hydraulic infeed stopped spinning so there is no way to put a branch in.
2) Also on my first use, hydraulic fluid was leaking pretty well from the cap where you fill the hydraulic fluid and at the port where you attach the coupling to the hydraulic tank
3) I had filled it with the recommended 4.5 gallons of ISO 32 hydraulic fluid
4) At first I thought that I had overfilled it and due to having too much fluid (perhaps) there was too much pressure and it was forcing itself out
5) However, given that the roller was not spinning and the loss of hydraulic fluid, I topped it off to ensure everything was per instructions, and tried again
6) On the second try, I was able to get the infeed roller to turn a little bit but fliud was gushing out of the fill cap. However, the infeed roller was not turning enough to accept a branch.

I've posted a video here: Woodland Mills WC46 Chipper Issue - YouTube.

You can see the fluid coming out of the filling port/cap, and also the sometimes spinning/sometimes not nature of the infeed roller.

I consider myself pretty handy and have owned different tractors and equipment for years. I also believe I followed the instructions exactly. The filler cap is hand-tightened tightly. There are no jams that I see preventing operation, and the chipper flywheel is spinning well (you can also see the infeed roller moving, but just sporadically, in the video).

There has got to be an explanation for this, though. Any ideas? I can call them tomorrow when they open but thought I'd post here to get thoughts from the community as to what might be happening.

Thanks!

 

[seville009]

Re: Woodland Mills WC46 Chipper Not Working - Hydraulic Fluid Leaking & Infeed Issue

Since it’s brand new out of the box, I wonder if there’s a shipping bracket or something that was put in to protect parts from moving (or something) during transit that is maybe restricting/jamming the feeder

 

[Gem99ultra]

Re: Woodland Mills WC46 Chipper Not Working - Hydraulic Fluid Leaking & Infeed Issue

In the video, although the cap appears to be on cross threaded it may well not be. But it should not leak, period. I'm assuming that the spring on the right hand side that adjusts the input drive pressure is hooked up? If not, that could give the same effects as a solid jam.

Given none of those two things are improper, I would not do a thing more until you talk to Woodland's Tech Service. They are prompt and are most willing to walk you through any problems, or do whatever it takes to make it right. You will get years of great service from that chipper.

 

[seville009]

Re: Woodland Mills WC46 Chipper Not Working - Hydraulic Fluid Leaking & Infeed Issue

One other comment - have you greased all the zerks? I see what looks like one covered in the green cap in your video

 

[LouNY]

Re: Woodland Mills WC46 Chipper Not Working - Hydraulic Fluid Leaking & Infeed Issue

It sounds like the safety bar may be needing to be adjusted or the pressure relief may be bypassing.

 

[PEJ5]

Re: Woodland Mills WC46 Chipper Not Working - Hydraulic Fluid Leaking & Infeed Issue

I recommend that you call Woodland Mills. I understand their support is excellent. I purchased a new one in October and had no issues so it is likely something that requires warranty support.

 

[jacksmithers]

Re: Woodland Mills WC46 Chipper Not Working - Hydraulic Fluid Leaking & Infeed Issue

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. I did contact Woodland Mills support.

Quick summary: Where the hose connects to the hydraulic reservoir to pull fluid to the pump was damaged so that it could not make a seal. It actually just wobbled pretty freely back and forth . As a result, there wasn't enough suction to pull hydraulic fluid through to turn the impeller properly or at all. When I took the hose off and looked at the male/female fitting I could see both were slightly beaten up. I don't see how I could have done that so assume it was faulty or something hit it during packing (it's the only hydraulic connection that isn't connected for shipping, because there isn't enough room until you move down the base stand).

After figuring that out, their support sent me new pieces and with those on it is working perfectly.

I would say that speaking with them and getting in contact them was extremely easy. I could quickly send them another video I took, talk through things, etc. and they were very knowledgeable. Although this was rough out of the gate and I was about to send it back, I'm glad I pushed through and have it working. I don't have a frame of reference in terms of using non-hydraulic chippers, but I can see how the hydraulic impeller makes things very easy. I can put a branch in, walk away to get another one, and it's on autopilot.

Shipping was also very speedy. I think I literally had the unit arrive at my door 3 days after I ordered (I'm in central Virginia, they're in upstate NY). Also, the replacement parts came quickly, even though it was over Thanksgiving.

I just chipped branches from two big pine trees and I have to say this machine is completely fulfilling my expectations so far. I'll update this post again if something takes a turn south but right now all is good!

 

[SethK]

Re: Woodland Mills WC46 Chipper Not Working - Hydraulic Fluid Leaking & Infeed Issue

Yeah. I have their WC68 chipper and love it. Wonderful products and support!

 

[Gem99ultra]

Re: Woodland Mills WC46 Chipper Not Working - Hydraulic Fluid Leaking & Infeed Issue

Yeah. I have their WC68 chipper and love it. Wonderful products and support!

Same here. I've chipped well over a thousand small sucker trees during this past year that I've owned it. Although, I have no experience from their support - never needed it. And that's a very good thing.