Koker Gearmotor, How Long Do They Last?

claridon coal burner · Post by **claridon coal burner** » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 5:17 pm

I'm on my 3rd season with coal, Keystoker Koker-direct vent. Seems like the gearmotor is the hardest working part on these furnaces. How long do they last? Is it worth having a spare on hand? Does anybody know what they cost?

SMITTY · Post by **SMITTY** » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 5:26 pm

Don't know on that particular model, but the gearmotor for mine (which I believe is an Alaska stoker unit) was had direct from the manufacturer for less than $70 shipped - at that price, I bought a spare. I had heard of folks paying double that at Alaska dealers. Mine is made by Multi-Products out of Racine, WI.

Hambden Bob · Post by **Hambden Bob** » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 6:26 pm

CCB,I a huge Fan of Spares ! Usually,at the worst times,something usually craps out on you. As usual,all you have to do is wave your Magic Wand to create Spares Money! Your situation for how you heat is the Master on this issue. If you can suffer or live with your unit going down and staying down for,let's say,the duration of this coming Cold Snap,then you can hold back and expend funds when failure occurs. Most of us rely on our Coalburners. Most of us like to gain advice here on actual Motor Numbers,and what are Proprietary(Dealer or Factory Only Available)Parts. It's a great practice to gear up(no pun intended)for what's ahead by doing it in a calm time when all is well! Things like knowing where our unit manual is,or can it be downloaded and printed online. Do we need any tooling to make that 0330 A.M. Gearmotor changeout any easier. Lastly,having Critical Spares on the Shelf at Home sure keeps the most hair on the top of your head! It took a lot to get to where you are. See if you can secure your position and start making plans to self-support your Coalburner...Good Luck on what You Decide!

claridon coal burner · Post by **claridon coal burner** » Sun. Jan. 26, 2014 5:15 pm

I could survive without it but then I'd have to burn oil (yikes). I think I'll call Keystoker and find out how much a spare would be. I'd still like to see some feedback on how long they last. Maybe no news is good news?

Hambden Bob · Post by **Hambden Bob** » Sun. Jan. 26, 2014 7:55 pm

Yep,I'd dig for a little more info here using the Google search bar in the upper right of the page. It's a good idea to see what pricing you'll get from the Dealer and other sources hawking the Keystoker parts. Hell,it's already "No"if you don't dig and ask! You've got nothing to lose,My Friend!

samhill · Post by **samhill** » Mon. Jan. 27, 2014 8:41 am

I'm on my 5th year with no problems, noise or running hot. If funds & memory get a little better I wouldn't mind getting spares of all to sit on the shelf. Hope I didn't jinx myself like Smitty & Jpete by posting that everything is running well.

jrn8265 · Post by **jrn8265** » Mon. Jan. 27, 2014 9:16 am

6 years with original koker gear motor and no issues. Two ready in a box just in case!

I have enough spare parts in stok to create a new koker other then the welded frame.

So far I had a robax crack and timer needing to be replaced and my downtime was minimal having parts onhand.

I need this baby to last another 30 years and you never know when a company will go under and you can't get parts.

samhill · Post by **samhill** » Mon. Jan. 27, 2014 9:58 am

jrn, would you mind telling where you got the parts? Were they original or from some other place rather than keystoker?

jrn8265 · Post by **jrn8265** » Mon. Jan. 27, 2014 11:46 am

Sure,

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Keystoker for the rest!

This place is great for Merv 8 filters. I change them every 2-3 weeks.

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samhill · Post by **samhill** » Mon. Jan. 27, 2014 12:03 pm

Thank for the info, I'm gonna copy it down & have it on my "to get" list if I can remember where I put it.

jrn8265 · Post by **jrn8265** » Mon. Jan. 27, 2014 12:35 pm

Can I ask what Merv filters you use on your koker?

I have been using these Merv 8 and they catch a lot, tried Merv 11 just not sure if those were straining my blower.....Merv 5 was not cutting it as it let coal dust through...

Hambden Bob · Post by **Hambden Bob** » Mon. Jan. 27, 2014 9:42 pm

This Thing's Growing! Look What you've started,CCB ! Thanx,Guys,for all the Info! Keep it Coming !

claridon coal burner · Post by **claridon coal burner** » Tue. Jan. 28, 2014 6:26 pm

That's the nice thing about these furnaces, most of this stuff can be bought at Grainger or a similar place. I just thought the gear motor would be more of a specialty item and probably the hardest working part of the unit. I did have to replace a blower motor on my regular furnace (which runs in conjunction with the koker) but it was already 7 years old. That may be the place to start 'cause if it doesn't work I can't even burn oil.

newman116 · Post by **newman116** » Fri. Aug. 22, 2014 1:18 pm

I was wondering if any of you guys could tell me where to purchase the motor for the Koker 160. I'm refurbishing mine and needed to pick one up. Keystoker wanted $115. which is kinda on the high side. I know it's a Merkle Korff 1 1/2 RPM. When I spoke to Keystoker I was advised there wasn't a part number so searching for it is impossible. Thanks for your help.

Newman116

Post by **coaledsweat** » Fri. Aug. 22, 2014 6:57 pm

newman116 wrote:I was wondering if any of you guys could tell me where to purchase the motor for the Koker 160. I'm refurbishing mine and needed to pick one up. Keystoker wanted $115. which is kinda on the high side. I know it's a Merkle Korff 1 1/2 RPM. When I spoke to Keystoker I was advised there wasn't a part number so searching for it is impossible. Thanks for your help.

Newman116

Try these guys. Get all the info off the gearmotors data plate.

http://www.sager.com/manufacturers/merkle-korff/