Harman VF3000 Discontinued?

 
equipmint
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Post by equipmint » Wed. Sep. 18, 2013 8:33 am

Did anyone hear if Harman is discontinuing the stoker boiler VF3000? I notice they have removed it from their web site and only have wood coal style boilers.


 
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Post by coalnewbie » Wed. Sep. 18, 2013 8:38 am

I would not be surprised, the VF3000 was made properly and cost too much to make and so it did not fit into the Harman catalog. Look for the improved model the VF5000 to be made out of duct tape and candle wax but it will look great. There will be one dealer covering this model for the whole of Northern hemisphere and service calls will be on a first come first served basis. He is booking calls for 2016 but even he (like my local dealer) will not have a clue about coal appliances so lay in some firewood to stay warm.

 
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nuthcuntrynut
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Post by nuthcuntrynut » Wed. Sep. 18, 2013 8:55 am

That boiler was in the running when I was looking, glad I didnt go with it now. Thanks for info.

 
coalnewbie
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Post by coalnewbie » Wed. Sep. 18, 2013 9:31 am

little jesting mixed in with bitter experience and so it may be a little colored. Your mileage may vary.

 
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nuthcuntrynut
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Post by nuthcuntrynut » Wed. Sep. 18, 2013 10:56 am

s take it with a grain of salt :|

 
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Post by KLook » Wed. Sep. 18, 2013 2:36 pm

No, Harman is known for zero support of this coal fired appliance. You have to go through there dealers for anything and 99.99% of the dealers know NOTHING about coal. This was a major pain in their ass as they got walloped constantly in this forum from those of us that actually owned a VF3000. Mine worked just fine, but I had to learn about all the bugs and network with other owners and the fine people in this forum to get it right. I purchased mine knowing my dealer could not help me and I knew I could educate myself. People that are not handy or have connections would go crazy with one of these from a dealer unable to help.

Kevin

 
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2001Sierra
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Post by 2001Sierra » Wed. Sep. 18, 2013 10:40 pm

Wow! It sure looks that way, just showing wood/coal boilers/furnaces which are batch burners, and pellet boilers/furnaces. No coal stokers in this area.


 
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coalkirk
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Post by coalkirk » Thu. Sep. 19, 2013 8:57 am

That's too bad. All the negative things said about Harman support are very true. Luckily the boiler is pretty much bullet proof. When the new company took over they about doubled the price. So I know they had plenty of wiggle room on their cost versus price. I paid $3500. For mine new. They were $6700. When I saw them on the website last. There is no way I'd pay that much for it. The new owners want to sell pellet stoves and gas fireplaces. I won't be surprised if they stop selling all coal equipment in a couple years.

 
equipmint
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Post by equipmint » Thu. Sep. 19, 2013 11:54 am

I also don't think much of what Harman manufactures is domestic anymore.

 
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Post by conesuscoal » Sat. Sep. 21, 2013 9:22 pm

I have been hearing some rumblings from my installer and a few of our sales reps that all but the Harman Mag Stoker are being discontinued. What kind of time frame, I'm not sure.

 
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nuthcuntrynut
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Post by nuthcuntrynut » Sat. Sep. 21, 2013 9:54 pm

i was able to see one in operation last winter, it's a shame they won't offer it anymore as it was a nice boiler. but the price scared me away as it was about a thousand over price to compete with Keystoker, or the like.

 
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Post by Rob R. » Sun. Sep. 22, 2013 6:46 am

I wonder if they will continue to offer replacement parts?

 
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Post by CapeCoaler » Mon. Sep. 23, 2013 12:36 am

They are also dropping all but one of the Mark line...
Hand fed but shows the pull out on coal...

 
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coalkirk
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Post by coalkirk » Mon. Sep. 23, 2013 8:15 am

Obama must have got to them. I just took a spin around their website and they've also dropped the sf350 which was their largest hand fired boiler, the sf3500 which was their largest hand fired forced air furnace, the mark ll hand fired stove as well as the vf3000.

 
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Post by whistlenut » Mon. Sep. 23, 2013 8:30 am

If the end of the coal line is imminent, that sure does not mean that PLENTY of quality equipment is available! Harman is only ONE company, and not the do-all, end-all of the coal products.

Marketing......grrrrrrrrrrrr!. All that glitters isn't necessarily GOLD! When Dean was at the helm.....sure. Now, not so much. If you just love paying an extra 40%, then by all means, step up, chow down, get fatter, dumber and happier.

Service will keep the customers, not flashy stores. PS: I have worked on many Harman's and find them well built, but pricey. Parts are expensive and slow to arrive.

In today's " RIGHT F*****G Now" mentality perhaps folks should look before they leap. The old timers were on to something way back when........
The last VF 3000 is saw was priced at $6870.00 and that was two years ago. OUCH!!!!


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