Leisure line owners ?

How deep is your coal bed on your grate ? Is it right to the top or less, if less how much lower 1/4 1/2 etc... Thanks Eric

Not sure, never measured it, but usually about 1/4-1/2" below the side, but lower where the ash is. Why do ask?

My Keystoker is just below the sides, definately a thicker bed of coals.

Mine is right to the top, and getting some unburned coal on top. So was wondering where others level was. Thinking if my coal bed wasnt as deep would get a complete burn??????

Buy the way thanks WNY for all the feedback, have run hand fired for about 7 years but just got a pioneer used and trying
To get as much heat and efficiency out of it as possible. Thanks again Eric

Anything else, just ask!! Everyone is always willing to help.

Thanks Dave, one last question when i got my used pioneer home took what i could apart to give the inside a good cleaning, had the grate off and didnt notice a gasket around it? The pics on one of my posts showed a gasket not sure it was a ll though do you or anyone know if there is suposed to be a gasket? That could cause my grate to sit low hence coal right to the top of my grate and possoble air leak around grate edges taking presure away from my air feed holes wow that was a mouthfull.

Now this thread is VERY interesting.

If you look at my posts on the Pocono I am finding I get my best burn when MAX is in the 20s. In the early thirties the temp at the front of the stove is not so hot and the fire is not so hot looking. Either the combustion motor is not strong enough or the bed is too thick. Hmmm, anybody any thoughts (yes the stove got a good cleaning this summer) and I even had a problem when it was brand new that the dealer kinda fixed. I just have a feeling the motor does not have enough punch. Yes, I know the coaltrol takes a while to catch up and also the coal bed does but still.

The feed motor/plate is pretty simple. As such, it can be affected by build up of fines etc. A good cleaning of the plate is
a big deal for performance. Also, the arm/wheel alignment is a big deal too. Clean those areas up, and the performance will
change. My Pioneer got some build up after burning "tons" of wet coal. Took a higher and higher feed rate to achieve full grate
burn. After cleaning plate, slide, etc, maximum burn was achieved at 38-40 vs 50-52 when gritty. Stove is pumping away
right now, the oil burner nice and quiet!

I have the Pioneer. There are times I have a little bit of unburnt, black coal on top. Not very much though. Usually it's because the weather is still settling in; some days it's 70, other days it's 45. It seems to get better once the temps get steady.

I have my feed rates set to 4 min, 44 max (If I go more than 44, the coals are too close to the end of the grate and it drops hot coal into the ash pan). Other people have it set to 6 min and 50 max. If you have more than a hand-full of black coal in the ash pan, than you may want to adjust your settings and see if that helps.

My feed rates are 6 and 26 if i go to 30 hot coals in the ash pan hence all my questions. Really want to know if there is a gasket under the grate to seal combustion air. Will be turnning mine of tomorro evening to take apart and check for shur!

Wow. 26 is not very high at all. Maybe you should call the company and ask your questions? They are fantastic and were a big help to me during install (I was the first one to install in this city and the inspector had a ton of questions for them).

Their should be a gasket at the back edge of the grate where it meets the steel feeder assy . If you are losing air there that could explain a lot . Also make sure the grate is fully seated tap the front of the grate down and back with a rubber mallet or plastic hammer . I have heard similar issues to what you are having with just that the grate not being installed properly . Dave

I seem to be having a similar issue with my Pocono. I had a good 3"+ line of ash and the feed was showing a constant 99. I also have a considerable (way, way more than I like) amount of unburned coal in the ashes when I wet them down. I shut the stove down and cleaned the holes in the grate with a 1/8" bit. The grate is in firmly. I also pushed a scraper blade in tight to the feed plate as far as would go based on these posts. My hopper is almost full so I didn't want to empty it. I restarted the stove and there was no change in the line of ash. So I increased the max on the Coal-Trol to 50. Still no change. I started the stove up in early October after a thorough cleaning. I poked at the grate holes back then, took the combustion blower off, cleaned it with Q-tips and alcohol and vacuumed under the grate. This will be my fifth seaon on the stove. I am burning Blaschak left over from last winter that seems extremely wet. So much so in fact that it does not collapse into the opening. It just makes a hole in the pile over the opening. I have had the stove running pretty low and I think the coal has a chance to dry out sticking in a pile. Anybody have any ideas. Thanks from central NH.

Dick

UPDATE !!!!! : )
Turned stove off last evening to give it a good going through!
Grate does have gasket in back but pretty well flatend out will be replacing it soon. Combustion blower had only 3 bolts holding it on, of which 2 were lose ;( fixed that! Combustion wheel omg was it dirty, almost 1/4 inch buildup on all the fins, fixed that. Now for the good part, can now run my pioneer at a max feed of 50 without losing hot coals and easily doubled the radiant and hot air heat. Needless to say very happy : )))))
conclusion believe the combustion blower was the total problem. Thanks for all the replies and help. Eric

Wow, that's interesting gotta look at my Pocono again. Yes, I know the LL people would help me but one must at least be able to wipe ones own a** and I think this type of issue is my problem. Will change over to the other Pocono and poke around next week.