AHS S130 Auger

I'm installing my new AHS S130 this weekend. After schlepping 40 lb coal bags for the last four years with my Keystoker Koker, I decided to get the auger option with my new boiler. Do any of you fellow S130/260 owners out there have any pictures of your coal bin and auger in operation? Any recommendations on building the coal bin to optimize flow to the auger?? The AHS installation manual really doesn't provide any detail WRT the auger... I happened to read the Axeman Anderson installation manual. AA basically recommends building a square bin which feeds the Anthratube. I'm thinking AA probably has enough experience to justify following their advice.

Any advice from my coal forum brothers and sisters would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

I have an Axeman Anderson. My buddy has an AHS130. He has found that keeping the hopper close to full keeps it happy. He used to have the occasional moderate boom, but since he started keeping to near full that issue has gone away. So, my suggestion is, if you can, keep it so your auger keeps the hopper as close to full as you can. The other thing....my auger is not in the center of by bin. It works fine, but, if you can, keep the low end of the auger near the center of the bin so it feeds symmetrically.

If you do as you plan, how do you keep the cover on the hopper?

Did you buy the auger from AHS as part of the package? I got your PM and have the info for you. Tonight.....
I hear "Road Trip" in my future.....

I bought the AHS supplied auger basically sight unseen! Like I said in my post---I love coal; but, I hate schlepping 40 lb bags of coal...

AHS designs a unique hopper cover for boilers equipped with their auger. I'm anxious to see how the auger works---I believe It has both a manual and auto mode for filling the bin.

I'm driving to the ABF freight depot in Salisbury MA tonight to pick up my boiler. I'll be posting pictures of my progress...

And yes Whistlenut---you're cordially invited to join the party. I'm taking Friday 4/1 off to tear out my Koker. Installation of the S130 basically starts bright and early Saturday 4/2. I hope to have DHW and central heat working by the time we quit Saturday night---hopefully tipping a few cold brews to the warmth of burning anthracite

Hey yo Dougie!!!!! Whens's the last time you started up a NEW AHS? Sounds like a party!

Not long ago....They fire just like and EFM, AA, Keystoker, Yellow Flame, CoalJack, Van Wert. After checking all the aqua-stat functions, draft, CO2 detector, bring out the big tipped torch and have at it.

I am interested in AHS's factory auger.....I have not seen that one. I have two older style AHS 10' and 14' 4"diameter augers and I KNOW you could auger 3/4" stone effortlessly. Coal is not a challenge for either.

I do enjoy the speed with which an AA or AHS cranks up to 180 degrees. The 170K CoalJack is surprisingly fast also.....and not a sound.
What are you up to Sat AM, Scotty? Wanna heft an AA 260 around a corner and up 11 stairs.....If I could get it up on your back, I'm sure you could make the stairs. The last guy made it to the top and his right nut went POW!!!! Thank Gawd for the adrenaline shot....or it would be painful.

Don't forget to "prime" the AHS with a bucket of ash.

Doug said auger.......

He may be old, but not stupid. Keystoker has augers available, and has for 50 years, and AHS has had them since 1978, I just haven't seen the latest edition. Cabin, you could be a candidate for an auger also, just not the one you thing you need. An external auger, not the AA type. It is 2011, not 1911.

Watkins Dr has ash from the Koker, so a base loading is not an issue. He'll get her hooked and fired, then enjoy an adult beverage or three.... Awful close to the Mass line, smitty......does that 'GIANT sucking sound' stop at the border?

There is a forum member feeding an S500 Coal Gun with an AHS supplied auger:

Coal bin pictures from Riegelsville
AHS S500 purrs into year 2 - some pics from the install

I picked up the boiler and auger assembly at the locat ABF freight depot in Salisbury MA last night. I gently moved everything into my basement with my John Deere 4310 w/fork lift attachment. Everything looks good for now. I'll be removing the Koker on Friday 4/1 and installing the S130 starting bright and early Saturday 4/2.

I only have one small problem: The ash door handle on the rear ash door fell off in my hand---bad weld. I sent an e-mail to Ben Witmer at AHS; and, I tried calling his number at AHS with no response yet. Not a show stopper for Saturday; but, I want to get this fixed.

Thank you for the link to auger pictures. The AHS auger looks awesome! I'm really glad I went with the upgrade. Thanks again Whistlenut for pointing me in that direction. Especially since the AHS website basicaly has no information WRT the auger option...

I'll probably start working on my bin and coal chute on Sunday. With my Koker and 40 lb bags, gravity is currently my enemy. I want gravity to be my friend with the S130 and auger!!

Any of you forum members are welcome to stop by Saturday and see what's going on---later is probably better---'cause that's when the coal will be burning and the brews will be pouring.

And thanks for the tip WRT starting the S130 with some left over ash. How much do you recommend? Just pour the ash into the S130's bin??

Best,

Dewey Watkins
11 Whipple Way
Kensington, NH
603-321-7849

Save a 5 gallon bucket of ash to start the feed process. I also am looking forward to the seeing the latest auger setup. Mine work great, and perhaps there isn't much different. ......now if we could get the 'ash auger' dialed in and in production.....
I hope you are all set up to stay dry on Friday, because it doesn't sound too great a weather day....