What a difference a Drill Bit Makes!!

Kungur · Post by **Kungur** » Thu. Dec. 19, 2019 4:26 pm

Did some maintenance the other day on our KA2. I was surprised at how many holes in the grate were plugged and the quantity of finds underneath!
Boiler is purring!!

Post by **Rob R.** » Thu. Dec. 19, 2019 10:48 pm

How long had it been since you cleaned the grates?

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Fri. Dec. 20, 2019 11:43 am

No coal burning stoker is immune to periodic maintenence to it keep working like new. Often see posts here where someone comes saying "Gee, my stoker worked good for x years but now won't...what's wrong?"

oliver power · Post by **oliver power** » Mon. Dec. 23, 2019 1:30 am

I do this stuff every year. After 3, or 4 years, I actually pulled the stoker, and went all through it. Probably didn't have to, but got to familiarize myself with the stoker. Also gave me a piece of mind knowing all was good. I resealed my grates, etc.... If you are just now cleaning out the holes for the first time, then you probably hadn't cleaned above, and in-between the water wall baffles. What a difference in performance that makes.....

Kungur · Post by **Kungur** » Mon. Dec. 23, 2019 6:45 pm

Oliver, I have done the holes a few times and vacuumed underneath. But I guess I have not done between the baffles. How di you go about it?

oliver power · Post by **oliver power** » Mon. Dec. 23, 2019 7:15 pm

Kungur wrote: ↑
Mon. Dec. 23, 2019 6:45 pm
Oliver, I have done the holes a few times and vacuumed underneath. But I guess I have not done between the baffles. How di you go about it?

It's not a comfortable job. Put a light in the ash pit, or wear a head lamp. Wear a dust mask, and safety glasses. Using a combination of boiler brush, wire brush, and scraper, get all around, and in-between the water walls, as well as top, and side walls of boiler. Do this by laying on your back, and reaching through ash pit. Get the top, and side towards stoker through side door. All the while, have shop vac running in the ash pit. Not a fun job but, performance is quite noticeable.

Post by **Rob R.** » Mon. Dec. 23, 2019 7:18 pm

I bet a large portion of Keystoker boilers in service have never had that type of cleaning. People are either unaware it is required, or not willing to do it.

oliver power · Post by **oliver power** » Mon. Dec. 23, 2019 7:24 pm

Rob R. wrote: ↑
Mon. Dec. 23, 2019 7:18 pm
I bet a large portion of Keystoker boilers in service have never had that type of cleaning. People are either unaware it is required, or not willing to do it.

I'll bet you are right Rob....... I was guilty of it myself. I could not believe the accumulation / build up of fly ash. Once I cleaned it all, the little boiler toyed with the worst of weather. I make sure I do a nice cleaning now....

Kungur · Post by **Kungur** » Tue. Dec. 24, 2019 8:10 am

Oliver,I guess I have done a bit of this but not thoughly. A question. Is there "chamber " or space above? I guess I am wondering if a diagram showing all the books is available?

Kungur · Post by **Kungur** » Tue. Dec. 24, 2019 8:11 am

You mention in-between the water walls?

nepacoal · Post by **nepacoal** » Tue. Dec. 24, 2019 8:16 am

Here's a cutaway picture of the ka-6. I'm sure the ka-2 water walls are similar.

Kungur · Post by **Kungur** » Tue. Dec. 24, 2019 8:40 am

Wow! If my KA 2 is like that I have some work to do!!!!

What a difference a Drill Bit Makes!!

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