Old Basement Coal Room With Vertical Hatch

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WyomingGeologist
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Post by WyomingGeologist » Thu. Jun. 26, 2008 11:22 am

Hi all,
I have a couple of questions. I just bought a 1920’s house that was originally heated by a huge coal boiler. Unfortunately the coal boiler was ripped out and a propane forced air furnace put in. I still have a large coal room in the basement with a 2X2‘ metal coal door up at ground height in the wall. It will be nice to not go outside and shovel coal in January. Did people back during the start of the century have coal delivered with an augured truck? I’ve always shoveled coal into an outside bin from the back of a truck. Its going to be pretty messy trying to get coal down a ground level 2X2’ vertical hatch at grass level. I’m thinking of building a four foot tall wooden hatch/chute to shovel coal from outside truck level down to the hatch and into the basement. Anyone else have an old basement setup like this? Thanks in advance for the advice.

 
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Richard S.
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Post by Richard S. » Thu. Jun. 26, 2008 11:33 am

That's a typical setup, locally and in few other places dealers have specific trucks for this called high lifts:
Coalttruck.JPG
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There's chute that comes off the back, it can also be used at a right angle. Back the truck up, lift it so the chute has enough angle and dump it in. :D

If you're doing it with a pickup you could do the same thing but you'll have to shovel the coal onto the chute. The chute will need at least a 40 degree angle so you will have to be fairly close. On the cheap you could make one with a little bit less that the width of the window and vinly sheeting the thickness of siding. Tack some furring strips to the sides. You could also use any other slippery surface. Coal trucks have custom aluminum chutes, very expensive.


 
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Post by WyomingGeologist » Fri. Jun. 27, 2008 8:44 am

Thanks for the info. Too bad everyone switched from coal about a half-century ago around here. It would be nice to have that truck parked in my backyard. It looks about as old as my house, would match the decor nicely :lol:

Looks like I'm going to build a perminent chute outside the hatch for easy loading. I need to design a way to insulate the chute and hatch so cold air doesn't come flowing into the basement. I'll have to draw up some plans and get to work this weekend.

 
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Richard S.
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Posts: 15183
Joined: Fri. Oct. 01, 2004 8:35 pm
Location: NEPA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Van Wert VA1200
Coal Size/Type: Buckwheat/Anthracite

Post by Richard S. » Fri. Jun. 27, 2008 9:54 am

I wouldn't build it permanent as there is really no need. I'm assuming you have a pickup? Just build it so the top lays on the tailgate, you only need a really simple design.

As for truck I got the "old" comment quite a bit but it's a 1986 Mercedes. ;) Last year they made that style before switching to a flat nose that's common with most trucks. It's no spring chicken but by the looks of it most people think its from the 50's or something.

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