What's the purpose of this "ball fork"?

[bundito]

It's not the best photo... it's the top-right corner of the mechanism, where the balls roll down from the top hopper, make the bend, and fill up the jackpot lanes.



There are two slots in the elbow and two matching prongs in the fork. The fork teeth don't seem to fit naturally into the slots, but that might just be a misadjustment in my machine (you can see how grimy and rusty it is).

Is it supposed to block off the lanes? Either mine's not lined up right, or I'd have to bend the teeth to make it fit - which seems like a semi-permanent modification.

A cookie for the first person with a clue!


-Dito

[pachiwall]

It is in fact a stopper to block balls. You can empty the mechanism without draining the entire hopper when closed. I couldn't enlarge the pic to see how much they are bent,,,but it should block the tracks when closed. All my pachinkos have one of some sort (except the single ball machines from the '50s), and I never use them. I'm sure it is useful in a parlor.

[bundito]

So in other words, the fact that it's misaligned and has a nasty rusted spring shouldn't concern me too much.

I'll probably end up buying a new spring anyway. I have issues.

[p.opus]

Cookie to Pachiwall!!!

That is exactly what it is used for. I have used mine when working on the jackpot motor on my moderns. It allows me to keep from draining the entire machine. My Model A doesn't have that feature, and I'm trying to remember if my Hanemono has it.

It really is designed for parlor use however. They have advanced ball handling systems that the machines are hooked up to that make it impractical to drain the entire machine, so it is useful to block the jackpot supply when you need to work on the back to clear a jam or similar issue.

[CarlW]

Lots of talk but did any one give pachiwall a cookie? How about a banana instead...

[Drunkenclam]

Sorry. I saw it just sitting there, so I ate it. I didn't realise it was for pachiwall

[p.opus]

Let me see what I have in the pantry...








Sorry, no cookie.

[CarlW]

pachiwall now has two cookies!

[Moparformances]

pachiwall now has two cookies!

[takethecastle57]

[bundito]

I gave him a Cookie Monster, which was the best I could do on short notice.

Here's a whole bunch. You can share if you want.




-Dito