503 grate frame disintegrating

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PAC
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Posts: 21
Joined: Mon. Mar. 26, 2018 10:21 am
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 503 insert
Coal Size/Type: Blashak nut coal

Post by PAC » Mon. Mar. 26, 2018 10:30 am

Hi all - I have a 10 year old Hitzer 503 insert. While cleaning the ash out I saw that the grate frames (on both sides) is seriously warped. It still held the bricks in place just fine -- do I need to figure out how to have someone replace this for me, or since it's doing its job, just let it be? Thoughts? Also, anyone know how long I should expect this unit to last?

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freetown fred
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Joined: Thu. Dec. 31, 2009 12:33 pm
Location: Freetown,NY 13803
Hand Fed Coal Stove: HITZER 50-93
Coal Size/Type: BLASCHAK Nut

Post by freetown fred » Mon. Mar. 26, 2018 10:43 am

Last time & only time I purchased a grate cradle, it was $41.00 (course this was back in 09) it was a real simple DIY.--YEP, your's is shot, might last a month or a year, it could mess up grates if it were to fall apart at the most inopportune moment.

 
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McGiever
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Location: Junction of PA-OH-WV
Stoker Coal Boiler: AXEMAN-ANDERSON 130 "1959"
Hand Fed Coal Boiler: BUCKET A DAY water heater
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 414A
Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
Other Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump and some Solar

Post by McGiever » Mon. Mar. 26, 2018 11:50 am

If you were inclined to "fiddle" with it and make it work a while longer, you could just take it loose and reverse it for some more mileage. Whatever works for ya. ;)


 
Gian4
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Post by Gian4 » Tue. Mar. 27, 2018 9:20 am

Welcome
I have a 503 also. Mine has similar issues. I've spoken to Hitzer about this and they say as long as it holds your brick it's fine. Actually once the fire box is full the coal load does the work of brick retention. If worse comes to worse you can buy the grate frame from Hitzer and easily replace it.
Gian4

 
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michaelanthony
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Location: millinocket,me.
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Vigilant 2310, gold marc box stove
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Coal Size/Type: 'nut
Other Heating: Fujitsu mini split, FHA oil furnace

Post by michaelanthony » Tue. Mar. 27, 2018 4:05 pm

Gian4 wrote:
Tue. Mar. 27, 2018 9:20 am
...... Actually once the fire box is full the coal load does the work of brick retention......Gian4
+1 on that!... I have a box stove that had 3 pieces of channel iron on TOP of the bricks to hold them in place bolted together in the 2 corners. I removed it 4 or 5 yrs ago to clean the stove and forgot to put the frame back and the bricks haven't moved since. :lol:

 
Serge
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Joined: Thu. Jul. 24, 2008 7:57 pm
Location: Thetford Mines, Que, Canada
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 50-93
Coal Size/Type: Blaschak nuts

Post by Serge » Thu. Mar. 29, 2018 1:56 pm

This flat bar is holding your front bricks and is directly in contact with red coal. This is a weak part of Hitzer probably the only one. The best solution is to remove the grate frame, remove the dammaged flat bar and have a 3/16 thick one welded on your frame for some dollars. Voilà!

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