EFM 520 Grate longevity / Replacement?
-
- Member
- Posts: 390
- Joined: Thu. Feb. 28, 2008 9:40 am
- Location: South Central, PA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1953 EFM520 Highboy
Hello Folks. So its only been just shy of 5 years since my last post. So hello to all the folks and anyone new!
I have a 1953 EFM 520 stoker with a Fitzgibbon "Highboy" boiler
Been burning coal for 11 years.
On that note, specifically EFM users. (I couldn't find the EFM specific section anymore, maybe I missed it?)
What kind of lifespan are you getting on the burn grates and bushing for the Auger? I was considering changing mine out before starting up this fall. I can tell they are getting thinner but Not really sure if it is thin enough that I need to worry about it yet either. No holes (aside from the ones that should be there) or anything of that nature.
Thanks for the feedback....
I have a 1953 EFM 520 stoker with a Fitzgibbon "Highboy" boiler
Been burning coal for 11 years.
On that note, specifically EFM users. (I couldn't find the EFM specific section anymore, maybe I missed it?)
What kind of lifespan are you getting on the burn grates and bushing for the Auger? I was considering changing mine out before starting up this fall. I can tell they are getting thinner but Not really sure if it is thin enough that I need to worry about it yet either. No holes (aside from the ones that should be there) or anything of that nature.
Thanks for the feedback....
- CoalHeat
- Member
- Posts: 8862
- Joined: Sat. Feb. 10, 2007 9:48 pm
- Location: Stillwater, New Jersey
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1959 EFM 350
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harman Magnafire Mark I
- Baseburners & Antiques: Sears Signal Oak 15 & Andes Kitchen Range
- Coal Size/Type: Rice and Chestnut
- Other Heating: Fisher Fireplace Insert
Mine has been in service since December 2010, grates are still fine. A few months ago it started breaking shear pins, had to replace the bin tube, also replaced the bushing, it was worn very thin.
Boiler runs all year, probably between 4-5 ton a year.
Boiler runs all year, probably between 4-5 ton a year.
- CoalHeat
- Member
- Posts: 8862
- Joined: Sat. Feb. 10, 2007 9:48 pm
- Location: Stillwater, New Jersey
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1959 EFM 350
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harman Magnafire Mark I
- Baseburners & Antiques: Sears Signal Oak 15 & Andes Kitchen Range
- Coal Size/Type: Rice and Chestnut
- Other Heating: Fisher Fireplace Insert
I would think the grates age faster when the boiler is run hard. In my case it's running far below capacity, I haven't gone above 4 teeth yet.
-
- Member
- Posts: 3555
- Joined: Tue. Sep. 04, 2007 10:14 pm
- Location: Dalton, MA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: H.B. Smith 350 Mills boiler/EFM 85R stoker
- Coal Size/Type: Buckwheat/anthracite
Not sure about that. These things are designed to run, and generally like running better than cycling or sitting. I think grate failures happen (a lot) faster when the unit isn't run according to directions - e.g., without clearing fines from the air chamber, or with the fire too low in the pot.
Mike
- CoalHeat
- Member
- Posts: 8862
- Joined: Sat. Feb. 10, 2007 9:48 pm
- Location: Stillwater, New Jersey
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1959 EFM 350
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harman Magnafire Mark I
- Baseburners & Antiques: Sears Signal Oak 15 & Andes Kitchen Range
- Coal Size/Type: Rice and Chestnut
- Other Heating: Fisher Fireplace Insert
You may very well be correct! Not pulling the fines lever often enough definitely will have an effect.
My stoker has an easy life here for the most part. It can easily heat this place but I still insist on burning that durn handfed all winter. Must be some kinda coal addiction.
My stoker has an easy life here for the most part. It can easily heat this place but I still insist on burning that durn handfed all winter. Must be some kinda coal addiction.
-
- Member
- Posts: 390
- Joined: Thu. Feb. 28, 2008 9:40 am
- Location: South Central, PA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1953 EFM520 Highboy
Thanks for the replies. Talked to another fellow and also felt the grates would last decades.
So I will just keep running it unless i see an obvious hole or issue. As mentioned mine were all "new" 11 years ago. So see if we can get another 10 years.
Started Running in October 2008.
Thanks folks.
So I will just keep running it unless i see an obvious hole or issue. As mentioned mine were all "new" 11 years ago. So see if we can get another 10 years.
Started Running in October 2008.
Thanks folks.
- Scottscoaled
- Member
- Posts: 2812
- Joined: Tue. Jan. 08, 2008 9:51 pm
- Location: Malta N.Y.
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520, 700, Van Wert 800 GJ 61,53
- Baseburners & Antiques: Magic Stewart 16, times 2!
- Coal Size/Type: Lots of buck
- Other Heating: Slant Fin electric boiler backup
I got a call to help a guy with his 1984 DF. It took new grates and a auger that had almost no flighting for most of the shaft. Worn to say the least! 33 years with original equipment. I estimated he used in the 500 ton ballpark. He ran at 7 teeth feed rate. Hard.