The Allen stoker

 
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Rob R.
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Posts: 17980
Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
Location: Chazy, NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr

Post by Rob R. » Wed. Feb. 01, 2023 5:09 pm

You are doing very well with the Sherman coal and the overhauled stoker. Keep up the good work.


 
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Idlorah
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Posts: 520
Joined: Wed. Nov. 18, 2020 6:31 pm
Location: New Ringgold, PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Allen 700 stoker
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Gibralter MCC
Coal Size/Type: Buck in the Allen and anything goes in the MCC, Anthracite
Other Heating: None, maybe some wood in the MCC in the shoulder season

Post by Idlorah » Wed. Feb. 08, 2023 2:43 pm

Had an outfire this morning, when I check the stoker last night everything was as it should've been. This morning I went down to check on it and I noticed the drive dog wasn't catching. Th dog must've got gummed up on the shaft and wasn't engaging in the gear. By the time I got that sorted out the fire was gone. Got it re lit in record time today. I have tried the 3 most common methods to lighting a stoker (charcoal, coal mice and wood) So far the best way I have found was to split up some 2x4s and light them then turn on combustion air. I had it going again in a matter of 5 min. I did have a minor screw up while tending to it this morning. when I went to flip the drive dog back to start feeding it got jammed up in the stoker arm and bent the tooth part of my brand new $95 dog. I can fix it with a file but since I was short on time this morning I threw on a used dog I had on the other stoker unit. At least my laziness of not taking it out of the basement yet paid off. I usually oil the points on my stoker daily I guess I should get some graphite for the dog so the oil doesn't gum up and cause the dog not to drive again.

 
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Rob R.
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Posts: 17980
Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
Location: Chazy, NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr

Post by Rob R. » Wed. Feb. 08, 2023 3:12 pm

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Supco-MO98-Zoom-Spout ... 4oz-Bottle

Pick up a bottle of this at your local hardware store or just order direct from supplyhouse.com

The turbine oil is very stable and doesn't gum up - works great on my EFM stoker.

 
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Idlorah
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Posts: 520
Joined: Wed. Nov. 18, 2020 6:31 pm
Location: New Ringgold, PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Allen 700 stoker
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Gibralter MCC
Coal Size/Type: Buck in the Allen and anything goes in the MCC, Anthracite
Other Heating: None, maybe some wood in the MCC in the shoulder season

Post by Idlorah » Wed. Feb. 08, 2023 3:13 pm

Thats an idea Rob, Just out of curiosity how often do you oil the ports on your EFM I feel I oil my stoker to much.

 
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Rob R.
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Posts: 17980
Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
Location: Chazy, NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr

Post by Rob R. » Wed. Feb. 08, 2023 3:14 pm

Idlorah wrote:
Wed. Feb. 08, 2023 3:13 pm
Thats an idea Rob, Just out of curiosity how often do you oil the ports on your EFM I feel I oil my stoker to much.
2-3 times per season.

 
Dave 1234
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Posts: 788
Joined: Tue. Nov. 13, 2012 9:05 am
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1948 International boiler, EFM S-20 stoker
Coal Size/Type: Buck,

Post by Dave 1234 » Wed. Feb. 08, 2023 8:10 pm

Issac , off topic a bit , but if there are rooms in your house that are not used, chuck a heavy cloth cover over the radiators in that room .

I have to leave for days or weeks at a time for my job . Where the thermostat is, I leave as is , but rooms that are not used I cover the radiators up . That way my system doesn't freeze .

The coal pail keeps all well for 4 - 6 days . Depending on the wind mostly . And if Im
away the heat is set at 55 .

 
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Idlorah
Member
Posts: 520
Joined: Wed. Nov. 18, 2020 6:31 pm
Location: New Ringgold, PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Allen 700 stoker
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Gibralter MCC
Coal Size/Type: Buck in the Allen and anything goes in the MCC, Anthracite
Other Heating: None, maybe some wood in the MCC in the shoulder season

Post by Idlorah » Wed. Feb. 08, 2023 9:01 pm

that makes good sense Dave, thanks for the tip. I try not to be away for more then a day during heating season. The Allen is a reliable piece of equipment but i make sure i check on her at least once a day. She likes to keep me on my toes and throw curve balls at me.


 
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Idlorah
Member
Posts: 520
Joined: Wed. Nov. 18, 2020 6:31 pm
Location: New Ringgold, PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Allen 700 stoker
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Gibralter MCC
Coal Size/Type: Buck in the Allen and anything goes in the MCC, Anthracite
Other Heating: None, maybe some wood in the MCC in the shoulder season

Post by Idlorah » Wed. Mar. 08, 2023 5:36 pm

I was going to get anther load of coal to get me through the rest of the season but I have wanted to clean out my coal bin and raise up the bottom. The auger comes straight out of my boiler leaving about 2 ft of coal on the floor that is unable to be used by the auger unless I shovel it up. I decided to put the barrel in the bin and I am going to try and burn most of what I have in the bin and get it as close to empty as possible. Then over summer I should be able to build a "V" shaped bottom for the bin to limit shoveling. I also attached a picture of how I store and get rid of my ash, an old manure spreader. I keep it in the shed and spread it on the fields before planting.
Bin with barrel.jpg
.JPG | 543.6KB | Bin with barrel.jpg
front of bin.jpg
.JPG | 486.5KB | front of bin.jpg
ash.jpg
.JPG | 431.8KB | ash.jpg

 
User avatar
Rob R.
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Posts: 17980
Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
Location: Chazy, NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr

Post by Rob R. » Wed. Mar. 08, 2023 5:42 pm

Just when you think you have seen it all, you see a manure spreader full of coal ash. Great idea.

 
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Idlorah
Member
Posts: 520
Joined: Wed. Nov. 18, 2020 6:31 pm
Location: New Ringgold, PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Allen 700 stoker
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Gibralter MCC
Coal Size/Type: Buck in the Allen and anything goes in the MCC, Anthracite
Other Heating: None, maybe some wood in the MCC in the shoulder season

Post by Idlorah » Wed. Mar. 08, 2023 5:44 pm

Rob R. wrote:
Wed. Mar. 08, 2023 5:42 pm
Just when you think you have seen it all, you see a manure spreader full of coal ash. Great idea.
The best part is the previous owner left it with the property, That's what he used it for as well. To add the that everything on it works as it should. And with 77 acres I have plenty of room to dispose of my ash.

 
nut
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Posts: 1392
Joined: Wed. Aug. 28, 2019 1:54 pm
Location: NEPA
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Glacier Bay
Coal Size/Type: nut
Other Heating: electric

Post by nut » Wed. Mar. 08, 2023 6:26 pm

Are coal ashes good for growing? I know wood ash is but I never heard of using coal ash.

 
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Idlorah
Member
Posts: 520
Joined: Wed. Nov. 18, 2020 6:31 pm
Location: New Ringgold, PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Allen 700 stoker
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Gibralter MCC
Coal Size/Type: Buck in the Allen and anything goes in the MCC, Anthracite
Other Heating: None, maybe some wood in the MCC in the shoulder season

Post by Idlorah » Wed. Mar. 08, 2023 7:35 pm

nut wrote:
Wed. Mar. 08, 2023 6:26 pm
Are coal ashes good for growing? I know wood ash is but I never heard of using coal ash.
field corn and soybeans dont seem to mind

 
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Retro_Origin
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Joined: Sun. Feb. 21, 2021 7:46 pm
Location: Schuylkill county
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1957 Axeman Anderson 130
Coal Size/Type: Buckwheat / Pea

Post by Retro_Origin » Wed. Mar. 08, 2023 7:45 pm

nut wrote:
Wed. Mar. 08, 2023 6:26 pm
Are coal ashes good for growing? I know wood ash is but I never heard of using coal ash.
My father in law told me that back when most people burned coal his hay fields were always real green, now that people mostly burn oil he has to fertilize with potash since there isn't the airborne particles settling on his fields. Take that with some measure, it was just his opinion.

 
User avatar
Idlorah
Member
Posts: 520
Joined: Wed. Nov. 18, 2020 6:31 pm
Location: New Ringgold, PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Allen 700 stoker
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Gibralter MCC
Coal Size/Type: Buck in the Allen and anything goes in the MCC, Anthracite
Other Heating: None, maybe some wood in the MCC in the shoulder season

Post by Idlorah » Wed. Mar. 08, 2023 9:26 pm

Retro_Origin wrote:
Wed. Mar. 08, 2023 7:45 pm
My father in law told me that back when most people burned coal his hay fields were always real green, now that people mostly burn oil he has to fertilize with potash since there isn't the airborne particles settling on his fields. Take that with some measure, it was just his opinion.
I suppose I could try a science experiment this spring, I will spread some in my grass meadow that I shred and see if the spot where I spread shows and difference from the rest.

 
User avatar
Idlorah
Member
Posts: 520
Joined: Wed. Nov. 18, 2020 6:31 pm
Location: New Ringgold, PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Allen 700 stoker
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Gibralter MCC
Coal Size/Type: Buck in the Allen and anything goes in the MCC, Anthracite
Other Heating: None, maybe some wood in the MCC in the shoulder season

Post by Idlorah » Tue. Mar. 21, 2023 2:39 pm

Update on the Allen, I think I may have unintentionally fixed my grinding issue yesterday. It broke a shear pin Sunday into Monday. Since I have the barrel in the bin I thought maybe that barrel caused the bin tube to sag down or get pulled to the left or right. My thought on to why the shear pin broke was the extra drag caused by the bin tube being slightly out of place. I readjusted the barrel and bin auger tube and blocked it up in the center. After 24hrs of run time I still have a full fire in the pot with no evidence of grinding.


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