Check out my stove ... need opinions ( pics)

Picked up this Bosca Spirit 500 on a trade for a old Lopi log stove ... The bosca was one year old and the previous owner was moving to an area with abundant lodgepole wood available.
I have had a few minor things to fix , ignitor and flue which was included in the trade. Ignitor was not installed properly. I have not installed the flue yet ( this spring).I got great support and info from US STOVE.
My reason for posting is I really like the access you get on these and they are heavy..375 lbs iirc.
40 lb hopper and most reviews and reports have been good.

questions:
How big of hearthpad should I use?
I'd rather not use an OAK... ( what is best)
Do I need to vac out fines before loading stove ( bag fines)
Any suggestions for a newbie pellet user?

opinions appreciated- thanks

- vacuum everywhere possible
- then blow everything out (outside), then vacuum again
- pull any motors out and clean well
- inspect the gaskets
- clean burn pot well

I would highly suggest a oak. Never heard anyone say they regret installing a oak.

You really want it clean it will give you a baseline if the burn is crappy.

Good luck on your new stove. That stove was on my list of stoves to install in my kitchen-dining area. I lucked out and got the ceramic paneled Elena for a very good price. Check or download a manual to see what hearth pad you should have at a minimum. They are easy to build to keep costs down and use the savings to get a pellet brush and rods, leaf blower,paint brush,motor oil, never seize grease, fireplace glass cleaner etc. Dedicated tools and tool box, as a clean stove will give years of trouble free service and its a hinderance if every time you want to clean etc you have to track down the tools.

Suggestion #1

Fig 6. Locate terminations: a) not
less than 3 feet above any forced
air inlet located with 10 feet; b)
not less than 4 feet below or
horizontally from, or on foot
above, any door, window or
gravity air inlet into any building;
c) not less than two feet from an
adjacent building and not less
than 7 feet above grade when
located adjacent to a public
walkway. Mobile home installations
must use a spark arrester.

Suggestion #2
FLOOR PROTECTION:

Freestanding installations, minimum 29,2" wide by 34,0" deep. The stove must
be placed on a continuous (grouted joints) noncombustible material such as ceramic tile, cement board,
brick, 3/8” millboard or equivalent, or other approved or listed material suited for floor protection (refer
to fig nº 3)

Install the OAK!

Nice stove.. I would suggest the OAK also, keep it clean, and follow the Manf recommendations as to the Hearth size. They will have the clearances needed for the sides and/or front.