Hi. My name is Leon. I'm a coal boiler addict. My Axeman's name is Ruby..Retro_Origin wrote: ↑Thu. Apr. 06, 2023 3:21 pmonly the axeman can tickle the fancy of eccentric quirkiness that some of us have....
keystoker vs efm 520
- Lightning
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- anthony7812
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- anthony7812
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I’ve spent years watching and reading forum posts. One after the other. From the backseat view I’d say between a keystoker and an efm the winner would be……
A VAN WERT! By far the most simple design for an underfed out there. Only wear items are a couple big auger gears. Beyond that a belt that may get dry rot after 5-7 years of use. Zero unplanned maintenance. A fluid change in the gear box and a new belt. Inspections. That’s all I’ve done since 2014ish. I let the ole green meanie go when I sold the house. My cousin now enjoys its solid performance.
A VAN WERT! By far the most simple design for an underfed out there. Only wear items are a couple big auger gears. Beyond that a belt that may get dry rot after 5-7 years of use. Zero unplanned maintenance. A fluid change in the gear box and a new belt. Inspections. That’s all I’ve done since 2014ish. I let the ole green meanie go when I sold the house. My cousin now enjoys its solid performance.
- Lightning
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- Coal Size/Type: Pea Size - Anthracite
I respect your opinion, but emplore that you haven't lived until being in the presence of an Axemananthony7812 wrote: ↑Thu. Apr. 06, 2023 6:35 pmI’ve spent years watching and reading forum posts. One after the other. From the backseat view I’d say between a keystoker and an efm the winner would be……
- Rob R.
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The OP did not say an Axeman was even an option for him. But since you guys brought it up, go back and read the posts from whistlenut. He had a nice selection of AA’s and AHS units running in commercial applications. When I went to visit him he chuckled when I spotted the EFM 520 running in his garage. It was like catching the Coke delivery guy drinking a Pepsi.
- Retro_Origin
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Actually I think keystoker should get the award for least maintenance!
keystroker gives functionality. Efm gives confidence and reliability but Axeman gives feeeevveerr! ok this thread officially got hijacked... the man's question was should I look at an efm and watch out! Here come the uninvited axeman boys strutting in like they own the place telling you that you better get an axeman because it's the cats arse and everything else is a dingleberry cooker in comparison!
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I really wish you guys had had this conversation last fall before I bought the ka6.
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Where does one purchase one of those?Retro_Origin wrote: ↑Thu. Apr. 06, 2023 7:22 pmActually I think keystoker should get the award for least maintenance! keystroker gives functionality. Efm gives confidence and reliability but Axeman gives feeeevveerr! ok this thread officially got hijacked... the man's question was should I look at an efm and watch out! Here come the uninvited axeman boys strutting in like they own the place telling you that you better get an axeman because it's the cats arse and everything else is a dingleberry cooker in comparison!
- Rob R.
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Keystokers have the fewest moving parts, and cost the least if purchased new…but I don’t think their performance is as good as an underfed stoker with a good boiler over it. If you don’t push it to the limits, the difference is probably much harder to notice.
I compare notes with my neighbor, who runs a Keystoker K6 in a house about the same size as mine, but much newer. His boiler struggles in the frigid weather, mine does not.
I compare notes with my neighbor, who runs a Keystoker K6 in a house about the same size as mine, but much newer. His boiler struggles in the frigid weather, mine does not.
- Retro_Origin
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I wonder if this is some issue with the k6 only, seems like everyone else gets good mileage from what I see on here?
- anthony7812
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First stoker I ever seen in person was axe. I was blown away. But it seems a lot of moving parts. I do like how the 130 can burn pea sizing. Rice pea and nut seem to be all you find around my parts. Used to be able to get buck which was the flavor of a van wert but that dealer closed shop. Anywho, 100% would always choose an underfed boiler. Not that keystoker isn’t a quality product by any means, just wouldn’t be my first choice.
- Retro_Origin
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What's the marked advantage of the underfed? Is it that raw coal is never sitting out in the open and giving up its volatiles? Or is it more about the fire size being way more controllable? It is interesting to me that the coal doesn't get more crushed on its long trip up that auger, impressive to say the least. Even though my friend would have sold me his df520 for near nothing im glad I went with the k6 and then finally the axe, I don't think I would have had the fun and learned as much from the efm. Although is the vanwert not feed adjustable? Like it's either on or off?
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All good Scott , just did'nt want you to think I was flaming you .Scottscoaled wrote: ↑Thu. Apr. 06, 2023 10:12 amSorry, my apologies. Sort of sensitive these days since I retired
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FT , Seams like EFM's , and all coal boilers are very affordable lately . I say why struggle , get an EFM installed this summer and try it out . They are simple and powerful .