Just a Tiny International/Losch Boiler

Today I went up to coal country to visit my Aunt. I figured as long as I was going up there, I might as well stop by DiRenzo Coal and pick up some Buckwheat.

I got a little over 3/4 ton. Then I figured I would take some pictures. I took these of my truck in front of the place, and then,,,,,, The guy inside yells out "If ya want to take pictures, you can come inside". I said "Great!"

Inside is this tiny little jem! It's an International Boiler with a 4 foot wide Losch stoker in it, WOW! And, Yes this is one BIG Bump Grate stoker! With a large load of water tube above it! It is fed Barley size coal from a large hopper that is in turn fed by a grain auger. This beast produces steam through a 6" pipe and hot water through a 2" pipe, plus the domestic hot water. A pretty serious little boiler. Many thanks to the DiRenzo Boys for showing me around!

AND! Yes, there is a video of this running, bump grate and all!

-Don

neat stuff! i used to live about five miles from there. i kinda miss the area but not the garage i lived at.
when i went to see steve last month he was rebuilding a very large losch boiler grate.

Thanks for posting Don... that is awesome. If I were there they may boot me out the door because I would have to ask 200 questions!

I just love anything that burns coal. And the larger the better!

What's the BTU rating of that beast?

Nice day trip S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Fred! It was a nice day trip. The guys there are real nice and chock full of Anthracite information!

Lee, the answer to you question about how many BTU? was "a lot".

I made a playlist of the 3 videos including the awesome Losch Bump Grate in action.


The weight slip, 1600 pounds of Buck! The prices were; Rice, Chestnut and Stove $180 a ton. Buck and Pea $170 a ton. Barley $130 a ton.

Barley at $130 a ton is the main reason that Losch and Yellow Flame stokers are so popular in coal country. If you are close enough to pick up your own coal, and you have a stoker that can burn Barley, it is a HUGE price difference!

Today, after it stops raining, I will be shoveling 1600 pounds of Buckwheat into my Axeman bin. It should be interesting to see how the Axeman likes it.

-Don

Great post SD, that boiler is nice. The guy who plumbed in steam plus hot water was on the ball .

Thanks for all the cool shots of your field trip.

Dave

That’s pretty cool! Those are some good prices. Last time I called blashach and another breaker they wanted 180 and 185 for pea. I just looked up the location for them and it’s not much further. Just paid 225 per ton for 2 tons blashach delivered. Definitely gonna make a note to call them for a price when I need more. Trucks back on the road now and I can get about 4 ton safely with the dump trailer.

I've bought from them in the past and found their coal to be very good, nice people too.