Which LL model?

Folks and LL burners,
I want to replace my Harman SF250 hand fed with a large stoker such as the Hayfire II. My intentions eventually will be to have the ability to hook up to my existing forced air duct work. The Harman is not the best of choice for piping into the ductwork. I tried it once with no success. I am also looking for more of a easier more automatic system rather than the burly man hand fed & shakedown 2x-3x a day. My new job takes me away sometimes a few days at a time and I cannot always rely on the boys or wife to properly maintain a hand fed.

Biggest question here, which model? I have it isolated down to two units, The Pocono or the Hayfire II. Can anyone suggest?

My home is two floor with a full basement which will house the unit. About 2400sq ft on the two living floors not including the basement. Fairly newer construction ( 1988 ) with R-17 insulation in the walls, not too drafty. See my avatar.

I would say the Hyfire II, you can run 1 or 2 burners depending on the weather. I run 1 in the fall/spring and when it get colder enough, I light up the second. The heat jacket really helps and hooking into your duct may not be too bad depending on where/how your existing furnace is installed and with the Coal Trol, it maintains pretty good. Make sure you order the CoalTrol external contacts if you use your existing furnace blower.

There's not a BIG difference in price between the Pocono and the Hyfire, about $375.00. The Hyfire is a more versitile unit as far as BTU range.
Thanks,
Jerry

Cap, given your habit of making spacers for the hand fed fire box to change sizes, I second what Dave said... get the Hyfire! You can play with that to your hearts content.
But seriously that unit best meets your need to hook into the existing ductwork and heat the whole house toasty warm with not much work required. Best of luck with your project.

i have a simalar size home as you. i purchased a HYHIREII and used it last year. it worked great. my house had no duct work (all elec baseboards) so i have installed that. 1st floor complete 2nd floor soon. i burn only 1 burner and my basement and first floor are always 72 thanks to the coal-trol. i used 4.5 tons and i live in central NY. best investment that i have ever made.

A number of threads have suggested using a coal boiler, and putting a heat exchanger into the existing hot-air plenum / ductwork to transfer the hot water's heat to the house. One advantage being, you can heat your domestic hot water from the coal boiler as well. I don't know what the relative costs are -- probably more expensive initially to use a boiler.

Well guys, new to coal college but I am learning as fast as I can. My third stove is the Pocono 110. Have to tell you this is a love affair. Not that my other coal stoves are not great - they are. Coal is saving my ass (of course I mean anthracite) but this coal trol unit is f******* awesome. My LOVE my Pocono now it's getting colder, is just awesome. So which model? For me the Pocono. Big ugly iron box but who cares, I am happy with 110 (I know I am getting more). infinitely controllable (sorry guys that self ignitor is toast). In the fall I buy lots of squashes (very healthy). Stove side temperatures 550degrees even with manfan at 99. I lean a bread box against the side - pop in the squash of the day at wake up time, (blue hubbard is great) and I have a great lunch. LOVE THAT THING. If you really need that 180 then the hyfire but realize that new Pocono (TV) really kicks ass - WOW. Alternative opinions welcomed.