Getting a Boiler Out of a Basement

alc · Post by **alc** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 8:07 am

I just bought a EFM AF350 boiler, but it is still in the sellers basement. The seller failed to include that information when he sold it to me, but I want it and I will have to deal with it.
Any suggestions on getting the boiler out of the basement? I will have to bring it out thru the Bilco doors.

thanks,
Alc

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 8:17 am

You should separate vessel from the base and the stoker from the base...many smaller pieces are lighter than one whole.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 8:18 am

Welcome to the Forum my friend. I'm not familiar with the boiler, but I'm sure there are people here that can give advice on how to break it down for your removal venture. All I can say at my age is, better you then me

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 8:41 am

break it down......invite a few friends......pizza and beer AFTER it is in your basement!

Hambden Bob · Post by **Hambden Bob** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 8:55 am

Thank God you've got a Bilco Door set-up to work with ! By any chance,does he have the Bilco Stairway Risers that allow you to remove the treads(steps) so that you end up with just the cavity? That allows you to rig up a framework to use a chainfall to lift out heavier pieces or the entire unit. The luxury of a front-end loader works Miracles! Otherwise,I'm liking the Pizza/BeerBlast Moving Day Party Idea! McGiev's hit it on the head about the many smaller pieces make the removal much easier !

Pacowy · Post by **Pacowy** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 10:43 am

The only heavy piece you need to worry about is the boiler head. That one weighs 575 lb. I would suggest removing the stoker and, if space allows and if the base is sound, try rolling the boiler and base to the Bilco door on pipes. For the lifting part, the loader idea is good; an auto wrecker can also be very handy.

Good luck and be careful.

Mike

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 10:59 am

Work Smart not Hard...
Many hands, powered equipment and brains will rule the day...
Combine the previous suggestions and you have a winner...

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 11:03 am

If you are lucky, a mini excavator would be excellent, also. The 'Armstrong Extraction Method'..........sliding up planks works well also. A guy with a winch could get the job done. Local high school wrestling team......footballers, etc works well also. Try not to lose any quantity of skin behind........and do you know any Orthopedic Surgeons? 'Rehab Center' on speed dial?

The first order of business would be to squirt down any bolt/nuts going to be removed......not that any will release, but at least you are tried. A bag of 'Speedy Dry' makes it look like you were trying to think ahead....(rusty water....mung....sludge.....perhaps a little gear oil).....I always bring plenty of lighting, just because I don't like playing the old 'stumble, trip, and grope'..........rags, and a vacuum.

When you get to the bottom of the stairs on the appointed day, I'd recommend reaching down to make DAMNED SURE you have the 'bag' to make this happen. No harm in regrouping if you feel a 'no confidence vote' from the 'boys', just get more help. Ready? Are U sure? NO beer before, during or on the ride home. ONLY when safely in your basement. Sure you really didn't just want to burn oil?????

Lu47Dan · Post by **Lu47Dan** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 11:18 am

I would rent or buy a gantry and a set of chain falls to lift it out if the steps can be removed.
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-telescoping-ga ... yW9C86S4vk
If the steps can not be removed, a chain come along and some 2 x 8 planking should be able to drag it out of the basement.
With the come along method you need a secure attachment point for the come along.
I have a tripod that I use for lifting and I am looking at building a small portable gantry for getting stuff out of basements.
The come along method is the cheapest but that is also the most work,
To lessen the sliding resistance build a sled to go under the sections and than use the sled to transport the boiler section to the door. Either with pipe rollers or brute force.
If you can not get a truck to the Bilco door than a wrecker will not work.
Just remember keep everyone out of the way of the load with either of the methods. Gravity here is working against you.
Use chain or good lifting straps for the rigging, not rope.
Good luck. and pictures would help.
Dan.

alc · Post by **alc** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 12:26 pm

this is the first board/ forum that I have been a member of, and that was my first post, and I want to thank everyone for their suggestions, and I'm looking forward to future posts; both asking and answering.

Enough of the nice stuff. I have a friend who owes me a bunch of favors, and he also has a truck with a crane on the back ( an old Propane tank installation truck). he said that he will give me a hand, but I don't want to damage the boiler, so I want to dismantle as much as possible.
Is it a major production to get the boiler off of the base? Remember I am going to be in some strangers' basement, and the same with the stoker mechanism.

My buddy's truck doesn't have a cooler, so the beer won't work; we'll have to go with Scotch

thanks
alc

Scottscoaled · Post by **Scottscoaled** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 12:40 pm

By the way, that isn't a AP 350. It is a DF520.

Pacowy · Post by **Pacowy** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 1:46 pm

Does Scott have some insider info here?

If it is a 520, the head is heavier than I said earlier, more like 750 lb.

Mike

olpanrider · Post by **olpanrider** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 2:02 pm

look in the yellow pages under "safe an piano movers"

I used chaffin an son out of marysville ohio a while back they charged me $120.00 but the way I see it they're insured against damage and its less than the co-pay at the ER.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 3:51 pm

olpanrider wrote:look in the yellow pages under "safe and piano movers"

I used Chaffin an Son out of Marysville, Ohio a while back they charged me $120.00 but the way I see it they're insured against damage and its less than the co-pay at the ER.

Hard to argue with that logic, I'd say best idea in this whole thread thus far.

Lu47Dan · Post by **Lu47Dan** » Mon. Mar. 17, 2014 9:28 am

IF there is head room in the basement than you could use an engine lift to remove the boiler section from the base. You will have to go at it from a corner,and then attach the chains so you can lift it up.
A four wheel machinery dolly would help if there is a concrete floor in there.
Lift of the boiler section than, take the base section out of the basement and than the boiler section.
A location in your profile might help in finding someone on the board local to you for assistance.
Dan.