Fred61 - 02 September 2010 07:17 AM

I would ask myself: “Without the proper equipment and knowledge, will I do $380.00 worth of damage? How much equipment do I need to buy to accomplish the job?”

I think I would ask the guy that will do it for $380.00 if he is insured and make him liable for any damage and sit down, crack open a Keystone and watch!

I’ve seen riggers in action and found it amazing what they can do with a few wooden blocks and roller skates.

Doing this job isn’t to hard if you know what you are doing and it doesn’t take alot of equipment. BUT it does take knowhow and time. Remember how they made the pyramids. So with that said, If you don’t really know how either have someone help you that really does or hire it done. 3/4 of a ton can and will do alot of damage to itself, building, and flesh and bones. I’ve helped move and set some HUGE machines with just jacks, bars, and blocking but wouldn’t even try if I didn’t have the know how and made sure at all times that safety was the MAIN issue at ALL times.
leaddog

$380.00 could buy some nice tools for the job. Then you have the tools for the future unless you dont think you will ever use them again. I would do it if I had lots of help, two heads are better than one. If you cant get
lots of help hire it done.

I put down piece of 3/4” plywood over the stairs and lowered mine in with an exevator with chain hoist attached to the bucket.  Put a piece of metal between the bottom of the boiler and the plywood so things slide easier.  I never let the boiler completely lay on it’s side.  It slid down and then I put a 4x4 behind it and slowly release the chain hoist while pushing the top of the boiler forward until it was resting on the floor.  It took ~5 minutes to get it down.  Then 1 1/4” pipe to move it in the basement.  I’m not sure if this can help you in your situation, good luck.

I’m pretty old but I wasn’t there when they made the pyramids so I can’t tell you what problems they encountered but I would think that if they dropped a rock and smashed it or flattened a worker they just went and got another rock and another worker. I don’t believe there is another Econoburn or worker waiting at the end of the driveway as replacements. Forget the replacement costs of woodwork, floors, framing and stairs.
The cost of placing the unit in an outbuilding as an alternative would certainly make that $380 look like chickenfeed.

Thanks to all for replying!

As pointed out safety (an damage prevention) are an important consideration in moving the boiler in comparion so saving $380.  I still trying to develop plan - so I am not sure yet wheteh I will do it myself.  This is where I am at now:

Need Loader tractor, winch, and 2x10 for stairs

1) Crate boiler to move.
2) Ask farmer down the road to lift the boiler onto my porch with his tractor (also removing bolted pallet from the boiler at the same time) - Doors to basement are under a covered porch so tractor can nnot access
3) Place cleat on porch to fix bottom of boiler and slowly tilt boiler on it side with tractor placing two 1000 lb dollies under the boiler
4) Roll boiler to basement stairs and hook an electric winch to the boiler
5) Slowly guide the boiler down the stairs using the winch and with 2x10s on stairs
6) Once at bottom of stairs tilt the boiler back up right with a hand winch or chain fall ( not yet sure how to rig this yet but boiler should be almsot at 60 degrees already and so litte force should be needed)
7) Use pipes to roll boiler across the basement ( or possibly a pallet jack )
8) if possible raise boiler 4” onto concrete blocks

Doesn’t that seem simple?  I am sure professional movers/riggers could do this a simpler manner.  Oh well.  Thanks again.

heat4steve - 05 September 2010 02:36 PM

Thanks to all for replying!

As pointed out safety (an damage prevention) are an important consideration in moving the boiler in comparion so saving $380.  I still trying to develop plan - so I am not sure yet wheteh I will do it myself.  This is where I am at now:

Need Loader tractor, winch, and 2x10 for stairs

1) Crate boiler to move.
2) Ask farmer down the road to lift the boiler onto my porch with his tractor (also removing bolted pallet from the boiler at the same time) - Doors to basement are under a covered porch so tractor can nnot access
3) Place cleat on porch to fix bottom of boiler and slowly tilt boiler on it side with tractor placing two 1000 lb dollies under the boiler
4) Roll boiler to basement stairs and hook an electric winch to the boiler
5) Slowly guide the boiler down the stairs using the winch and with 2x10s on stairs
6) Once at bottom of stairs tilt the boiler back up right with a hand winch or chain fall ( not yet sure how to rig this yet but boiler should be almsot at 60 degrees already and so litte force should be needed)
7) Use pipes to roll boiler across the basement ( or possibly a pallet jack )
8) if possible raise boiler 4” onto concrete blocks

sounds like you have got a good plan. Go for it but just take your time and check and recheck for safety. It’s not a hard thing to do as long as you don’t try and get in a hurry. A good long pry bar helps in a lot of situations.
leaddog

Doesn’t that seem simple?  I am sure professional movers/riggers could do this a simpler manner.  Oh well.  Thanks again.

heat4steve - 01 September 2010 01:34 PM

gator21

do have an outbuilding that I can put the boiler in.  Other than moving the boiler into the basement I decided on the basement for the following reasons:
- less wasted heat.
- No need to trudge outside in the winter.
- simpler system design
- slightly lower cost (have a chimney) although I did not factor any moving cost
- bypasses any issues that may arise in NYS with having an outdoor wood boiler.

However one key cocner I have with an indoor boiler is safety. My father in law is dead set againt having the boiler inside - he believes it will cause a fire and is incompatable with having propane in the house.

Would you mind sharing your reasons for having the boiler outside?

Is the Econoburn safety tested and listed to be installed inside of your home?
What does your insurance company think of you moving that unit inside your home? Are they going to cancel your insurance after they find out you have moved it into your home?
How would the cost be less if you are installing it to your existing chimney?  Have you had it inspected and are you sure there is no damage to your chimney?
Your really making changes because of a PROPOSED NYS regs that haven’t even been passed?  The DEC already admitted, even before the last two public hearings (in June), that they were going to have to re-write the regulations because of the significant negative feedback that they were receiving (undoubtebly from the owners, legislators, etc.).  A Senate Bill passed 61-0 that would prevent the DEC from passing what they proposed…this sent a message DEC was proposing improper and unreasonable regulations for OWBs. 

You should at minimum have your chimney inspected and check with your insurance company before you make the move inside.

[quote author=“Sam W.” date=“1283878683]

Is the Econoburn safety tested and listed to be installed inside of your home?
What does your insurance company think of you moving that unit inside your home? Are they going to cancel your insurance after they find out you have moved it into your home?
How would the cost be less if you are installing it to your existing chimney?  Have you had it inspected and are you sure there is no damage to your chimney?
Your really making changes because of a PROPOSED NYS regs that haven’t even been passed?  The DEC already admitted, even before the last two public hearings (in June), that they were going to have to re-write the regulations because of the significant negative feedback that they were receiving (undoubtebly from the owners, legislators, etc.).  A Senate Bill passed 61-0 that would prevent the DEC from passing what they proposed…this sent a message DEC was proposing improper and unreasonable regulations for OWBs. 

You should at minimum have your chimney inspected and check with your insurance company before you make the move inside.

Sam W.

Thanks for our feedback. Concenring your points:

1) Insurance Company - The company is fine with the installation as long as they recieve a copy of the inspection.
2) Is Boiler Okay for Indoors -  The Econoburn 150W is designed for indoor use (althoug it can be installed in an a “insulated otdoor structure)
3) Chimney - The Chiminey is okay but needs to be lined and have some repointing - The cost for this is comparable to running 100’ of pex tubing, installing double wall stainless chimney outside, insulating a space for the boiler, and purchasing a isolating heat exchanger (to use antifreeze).

I had the boiler for three month already an have gone back and forth on the installation - putting a lot (maybe) to much thought into it.  In any case I am now on the side of inside and the cold is coming. Thanks again.

I think you’ll be very happy with your choice to have the boiler inside….