Cycle Timer Needed?

I've noticed that my cycle timer had always been pointing on "20" for a few days in a row, so I decided to check it out. As suspected it was not working, but my fire never went out even in this mild weather. I have read of others loosing power and not loosing there fire , so my question is why is a timer needed ?

prevents fire from burning too low in pot, burning through tuyeres, prevents outfires in many conditions in which they are likely to happen (warm weather, low draft, wet coal, poor coal etc.) prevent low burning fire from going into the worm and prevent low fire from encouraging coal gasses to go down tube towards bin when the stoker does turn on.

Have you got a will-burt timer?

My stoker has a will-burt timer and the clock motor would occasionally stop causing outfires and on one occasion a 110* house. I ended up replacing the clock motor.

I have a intermatic 8800 series , I just ordered a new timer motor.