The BIG DIG!

 
Benny
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Coal Size/Type: Rice
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Post by Benny » Mon. Mar. 04, 2019 5:17 pm

Coal bin or bomb shelter?


 
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StokerDon
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Location: PA, Southern York County!
Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Mon. Mar. 04, 2019 7:33 pm

Benny wrote:
Mon. Mar. 04, 2019 5:17 pm
Coal bin or bomb shelter?
depends on what time of year it is. :lol:

-Don

 
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CoalJockey
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Post by CoalJockey » Wed. Oct. 16, 2019 6:31 pm

I have been behind on my updates due to the beautiful Fall weather allowing us to deliver coal and spread lime like a bunch of hellions. There has been progress made, so come and have a look.

The Loysburg Concrete Union Local #BR549 all gathered for the first time during the first week of August. New benefits were voted on and approved without arbitration, they requested that Brittany would kindly treat them to cheeseburgers from McDonalds at noon to which she was happy to oblige.

This was an ideal situation to try renting a short-pour buggy for the first time. The idea was that it could be backed right up to the doorway, lower the chute, fill the wheelbarrow, and wheel it right into the bin and dump it.

We ordered 1 and 3/4 yard of concrete and they began mixing it once we pulled in the driveway. We hooked onto it with Scotty’s big Ford and back to Loysburg we came. Getting the chute lined up over the doorway was a bit of a trick but once in place the system worked flawlessly. I only over-flowed the wheelbarrow once due pulling the wrong control lever but no one wanted to fire me. Strange.

Now enter our newest recruit to the Concrete Union... Wes. He has done construction most of his life and is no stranger to concrete finishing. He seemed all too willing to go to work for us so what the hell... I will not turn away good helpers.

So with floats and trowels in hand, we poured it in three sections starting at the rear. We had originally figured for a yard and a half but decided to have them throw the extra quarter on. I am glad we did, it was nearly perfect with no product left at all.

After all this I rinsed the short pour mixer bowl out good and we took our previously discussed McDonalds break. Once the concrete was set, Wes laid down some old insulation for pads and began smooth finishing.

This all began at about 8 in the morning and we were putting tools away by 2. I am very happy with how it turned out and it is actually starting to look somewhat professional. :o

Here are some photos, one is looking out the door at the mixer bowl, the rest are of the floor itself and the two pogues who all too happily gave up their day to help me out in this endeavor.

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StokerDon
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Posts: 7486
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Location: PA, Southern York County!
Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Wed. Oct. 16, 2019 7:26 pm

It's about time! I've been waiting for a progress report on this project all Summer! :lol:

Looks great CJ, What else needs to happen for this to be a fully functional coal bunker?

-Don

 
Toddburn
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Location: Southwest P.A.
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 983/ Hitzer 55
Coal Size/Type: Nut anthracite/pea
Other Heating: Heat pump/forced air

Post by Toddburn » Wed. Oct. 16, 2019 7:33 pm

Fine looking job CoalJocky. At least you dont have to look far for a quality coal supplier. Wait that probably will be bad you'll be last on the delivery list lol.

 
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CoalJockey
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Post by CoalJockey » Wed. Oct. 16, 2019 7:35 pm

Thanks Don & Todd

I need to knock a cinderblock out of the driveway side to insert the coal conveyor through. I think I will just make a simple plywood insert window and paint it for now until I have a better idea.

I think once that’s done I will go ahead and fill it with 7 tons of rice. Over the Winter I plan to add two more necessities: Wire up some permanent lights and build a simple board and batten door to make the opening that you walk through a little more appealing to the eye.

I did forget to add that after the concrete floor was poured, I sprayed the entire thing from floor to ceiling with a good sealer.

Stay tuned... may try to fill this puppy this weekend if I can get the Delivery Union activated. I wonder what in the hell for benefits they are going to want now? I draw the line at new delivery trucks.

 
Toddburn
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Post by Toddburn » Wed. Oct. 16, 2019 7:38 pm

The union has to be tired of McDonalds.


 
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Hambden Bob
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Coal Size/Type: Rice-A-Roni ! / Nut
Other Heating: Pro-Pain Forced Air

Post by Hambden Bob » Wed. Oct. 16, 2019 11:07 pm

I would try something Oktoberfest-esque. Nuthin' like Saurkraut-Based Payoff Products combined with being in the Loysburg Underground!!
Ulp!!

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Thu. Oct. 17, 2019 6:26 am

I think it turned out great. Many people would not have the ambition to even start that kind of project.

 
Benny
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Location: Ligonier Pa.
Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: Koker lite- house. Reading- garage
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Other Heating: Oil

Post by Benny » Thu. Oct. 17, 2019 6:45 am

I agree great job, me thinks HB has a great idea,I would work for kraut!

 
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CoalJockey
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Post by CoalJockey » Sun. Oct. 20, 2019 4:19 pm

Well, it is difficult to fill a coal bin without a window to fill it through. I mean, it is possible but it sure does make it nice. So one day last week as it was pouring the rain down in late afternoon I set my sights on chipping out a concrete block near the driveway. The offending block was nearly centered at the end of the bin and it also landed very conveniently between the shrubs for easy conveyor access.

I just took my time with a hammer and a chisel and gently began knocking the mortar out on the inside. It took about a half hour but I was able to remove the block in pieces without disturbing the neighboring blocks. I did knock a small chunk out of one but the outside cover is large enough to cover this.

Next I set about making the simple plywood cover. I found a very nice scrap of 3/4 plywood I had saved and cut it 20” long and 12” high. I conjured up a 2x4 that I would use to make the wedge holders that keep it in place. It still needs a coat of paint yet but regardless the bin is ready to fill.

Now if I can just get those moron coal haulers to come fill this thing up we will have it made.

Attachments

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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Sun. Oct. 20, 2019 7:19 pm

Nice job. Rattle can some gray paint on the cover before the boss notices it!

 
Toddburn
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Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 983/ Hitzer 55
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Other Heating: Heat pump/forced air

Post by Toddburn » Sun. Oct. 20, 2019 7:47 pm

Looking good... you could have some fun with the trick or treaters with that lol.

 
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StokerDon
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Posts: 7486
Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
Location: PA, Southern York County!
Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Mon. Oct. 21, 2019 7:22 pm

That is one nice coal bin! I hope someone can fill it soon. :yes:

-Don

 
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CoalJockey
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Post by CoalJockey » Sat. Nov. 16, 2019 8:04 pm

And then... it was all over. The peasants all gathered together and stood in awe at what they have just witnessed and thus rejoiced!

So how did it all work out in the end, you may ask? I am a little behind due to the Fall rush around here but several Saturdays ago after we were done for the day, a big red truck filled with coal was directed to my driveway with 7 tons of rice.

The conveyor fit inside the window very comfortably and we propelled the full load underneath the porch in about 10-12 minutes. In the beginning there was enough space for both my brother and I to shovel and then he kicked me out for the final 2 tons or so. The load fit inside very nicely and there would even be room for another ton at least if it were ever desired.

My older son Dolan, who is 4 years old, stood at the doorway and laughed his ass off at these two weirdos shoveling coal like there is no tomorrow. He climbed up in the truck to go along with me to park it and said “Dad, that is ALOT of coal”!!!

To which I replied “Yeeeahh”...

Attachments

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Getting set up

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Let the Joy fly!

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7 tons tucked away for Winter

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