used efm install

i was wondering what the most common wear parts i should be looking to replace since the stove is apart? the lady i bought it from had it serviced every year so should be pretty good. thanks for your time. jon

Hey Jon - welcome to the forum. Do you know what model EFM you have? A 350 and 520 (S15 or S20 stoker) are the most common; 700,900, and 1300 models are the big boys.

Take a look through the EFM section on this forum and familiarize yourself with the different parts and how they go together.

Pictorial of all DF520 Stoker Parts and Assemblies

The most common wear parts on the S15/S20 stokers are the "gooseneck bushing", the burner plates, and the auger (worm) itself. If you clean all the coal out of the stoker and grab the auger in the bottom of the pot, there should be very little play in the bushing. The auger flights should not be sharp to the touch, if they are...replace the auger and bushings. The burner plates should be checked for cracks and excessive warping. Make sure the fines cleanout on the bottom of the pot isn't warped, and that it opens/closes properly. Other than that, a thorough cleaning of the ratchet mechanism and gearbox is probably in order - and be sure to clean the fan & blower housing. Inspect & oil the fan motor, or replace if needed.

The tankless coil area on the boiler should be carefully checked as well. Sometimes the gasket leaks and the boiler gets corroded...sometimes it is so bad that a repair plate needs to be welded on. If the gasket needs to be replaced, be patient with the nuts on the studs. A torch, some penetrating fluid, and a lot of patience is required for that job. If you rush it is easy to break off one or more studs.

Where are you located? You may have an EFM expert around the corner and not even know it.

One more - You can also find the DF520 owner's manual on the EFM website: http://c326988.r88.cf1.rackcdn.com/DF52 ... lation.pdf

rob thanks for the info. i printed the manual from the website and the instructions off of this site. the back has been welded and it doesn't leak anymore. it was in use last spring so......its clean. is there a place to look for the size of this stove. i went to look at it when all the covers were on it and there plumber took it apart and took it outside for me. i picked it up last saturday and haven't had a chance to look at it yet. i live in newark valley, ny. i have looked for dealers and there is a couple not to far away. thanks again

There should be a stamped plate on the front of the boiler with some information; you can also measure the length and width of the boiler itself. The width of the burner ring on top of the stoker will tell you what model stoker it is.

had a chance to look last night quick and it is a 520.

wales12355 wrote:had a chance to look last night quick and it is a 520.

That is great, there is a wealth of information on this site for that model. You are pretty close to some fellow coal burners, I know at least one 520 owner in Cinncinatus that finished his installation last fall.

Does the boiler have a round door on the front or square?

round door. i would like to know the year or somewhat close. i see there was a part number or something on the blower motor and another number on the id plate. she had it serviced last year so it shouldn't need much just some gaskets and a good cleaning.

The year should be stamped on the information plate above the fire viewing door.

Are you installing the boiler yourself?

i'll have to look for it tonight. the plan is to install myself. do you have baseboard or in the floor. i want to put it in the floor we'll have to see price wise.

My system is all fin-tube baseboard or cast iron radiators; my dad's system is a mix of radiant heat and fin-tube. Radiant heat is the most comfortable, but it can be pretty expensive to retrofit an older house.

1400 sq feet is new construction addition and 1000 was built in 89 with exposed joist. curious how much coal you use to heat your house in winter. i heated the 1000 with 2 harmon stokers and burned around 3.

wales12355 wrote:curious how much coal you use to heat your house in winter. i heated the 1000 with 2 harmon stokers and burned around 3.

How much I burn is not a good predictor of what you may end up burning through your EFM...each house is unique. With that said, I burn 9-10 tons per year for heat and all domestic hot water for a family of three.

thats all year. i have tank less hot water for the summer and plan on using the coal when its fired up for the winter. coal in my area is around 230 ton loose. i go get it in pa for 180 and get 5 ton at a time. what mine do you get your coal form. have you tried others. i think i got it at harmony last time. i picked this boiler up and around 4 ton for $2000 so i don't need any this year.

I burned some Harmony coal a few weeks ago and was very impressed; it burns very hot and produces little ash. Normally I get a TT load of bagged coal from Kimmel's and split it with my dad. We have a skidsteer to unload the truck and move the pallets, so that works good for us.

wales12355 wrote:i picked this boiler up and around 4 ton for $2000 so i don't need any this year.

That was a great deal.