"Stops" for Harman Shaker Mechanisms?
A recent reply I made to a new member member with a Harman TLC 2000 just got me to thinking:
Most Harman's seem to share a great shaker mechanism that opens wide enough (at full travel of the shaker handle) to allow you to dump your ashes on clean out. This system can be a problem however (in normal shaking down) if you push/pull to far on the handle & you can accidentally dump too much of your fire, especially when rushed. Last winter, I started to think about a manual "stop" that could be attached to the stove that would prevent this problem but then could be removed/disabled when you did intend to dump. Maybe someone here, with good metal working skills, could think of a simple, cheap device?
I have attached a few pics to help:
(first 2 pics-shaker closed....2nd 2 pics shaker open)
Most Harman's seem to share a great shaker mechanism that opens wide enough (at full travel of the shaker handle) to allow you to dump your ashes on clean out. This system can be a problem however (in normal shaking down) if you push/pull to far on the handle & you can accidentally dump too much of your fire, especially when rushed. Last winter, I started to think about a manual "stop" that could be attached to the stove that would prevent this problem but then could be removed/disabled when you did intend to dump. Maybe someone here, with good metal working skills, could think of a simple, cheap device?
I have attached a few pics to help:
(first 2 pics-shaker closed....2nd 2 pics shaker open)
Attachments
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- Member
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- Joined: Sun. Feb. 10, 2008 3:48 pm
- Location: Cape Cod, MA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: want AA130
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machine BS#4, Harman MKII, Hitzer 503,...
- Coal Size/Type: Pea/Nut/Stove
It has always been a 'feel' kind of thing for me. Chalk and magnets worked for me while learning how far was too far.
- Uglysquirrel
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How about two limit bars on either side of the shaker lever, attach the bars to heavy cheap magnets that you can easily move to make adjustments? They come off if you want to sell your stove to me.
Think I've got it!!
Just above the ash pan on the left side of the stove (above a rail) there is the inside connecting rod assembly for the shaker grates that travels front to back probably about 4' or so ..(Left side of the pics)
If I can insert a small metal/masonry block front & back that will limit the travel of this assembly, it will work!
I'll post pics when I jury-rig something! [
img]
Just above the ash pan on the left side of the stove (above a rail) there is the inside connecting rod assembly for the shaker grates that travels front to back probably about 4' or so ..(Left side of the pics)
If I can insert a small metal/masonry block front & back that will limit the travel of this assembly, it will work!
I'll post pics when I jury-rig something! [
img]
Attachments
Last edited by Devil505 on Wed. Aug. 20, 2008 8:44 am, edited 5 times in total.
- Uglysquirrel
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- Joined: Mon. Jan. 07, 2008 8:27 pm
so THATS what the inside of a coal stove looks like with a BIG ash pan!!I'm jealous.
Eureeka!!
Made 2 small blocks of wood & covered them with tin foil. (They are on a rail below the fire anyway)
& they work great to stop the grates fro m fully opening. When I want to dump the ashes I'll just remove these blocks!
Think I'll sell these for $100.00 a piece! (plus tinfoil!)
Larger block is for the back , smaller one up front
Made 2 small blocks of wood & covered them with tin foil. (They are on a rail below the fire anyway)
& they work great to stop the grates fro m fully opening. When I want to dump the ashes I'll just remove these blocks!
Think I'll sell these for $100.00 a piece! (plus tinfoil!)
Larger block is for the back , smaller one up front
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Last edited by Devil505 on Tue. Aug. 19, 2008 1:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Adamiscold
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- Location: Winchendon,Ma
You don't think the rocks are going to be a little hot and a pita to move each time you want to empty your ash pan?
I'm no coal expert here devil, but it seems like you are going to have some trouble trying to vent your stove with the pipe sitting on the floor
I'm no coal expert here devil, but it seems like you are going to have some trouble trying to vent your stove with the pipe sitting on the floor
I was wondering why my draw was so weak!....Thanks Adam!Adamiscold wrote:I'm no coal expert here devil, but it seems like you are going to have some trouble trying to vent your stove with the pipe sitting on the floor
The blocks sit on a rail above the ash pan but below the shaker grates so they won't have to be touched unless I want to dump for clean out when the fire is out.Adamiscold wrote:You don't think the rocks are going to be a little hot and a pita to move each time you want to empty your ash pan?
- Adamiscold
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Ok devil you stated this
Just note that I am here for you man
so I just took it as you would have to remove them every time you need to empty the ash pan to dump the ashes.When I want to dump the ashes I'll just remove these blocks!
Just note that I am here for you man
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- Member
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- Joined: Sun. Feb. 10, 2008 3:48 pm
- Location: Cape Cod, MA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: want AA130
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machine BS#4, Harman MKII, Hitzer 503,...
- Coal Size/Type: Pea/Nut/Stove
Me thinks you may turn the wood to charcoal during the first fire!
How about firebrick cut to the correct size on a wet saw or with a dry blade on a cheap circular saw?
How about firebrick cut to the correct size on a wet saw or with a dry blade on a cheap circular saw?
- Adamiscold
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Damn cape you know how old this guy is? He'll properly cut his fingers off!!
I say the wood in tin foil will work great for you devil.
I say the wood in tin foil will work great for you devil.
Absolutely correct. I could replace those blocks with small masonry blocks of some type. I can play with the size of the wooden ones & then just replace them if need be. (I may even just try them first as they will be below the fire & protected top & bottom by metal rails, so I'll see)CapeCoaler wrote:How about firebrick cut to the correct size on a wet saw or with a dry blade on a cheap circular saw?
Last edited by Devil505 on Tue. Aug. 19, 2008 11:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
Hey....I figure I still have enough fingers & thumbs to make at least 10 blocks!Adamiscold wrote:Damn cape you know how old this guy is? He'll properly cut his fingers off!!
I say the wood in tin foil will work great for you devil.
- Adamiscold
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Just make sure the wife is home before you start on the first one.