Buying and transporting a used Fireview

[monster_maul]

Looking at buying a used Fireview stove, have a couple of questions. First one is in regards to price. I'm told by the owner that the stove was purchased in or around 2000 for a vacation home. Very little use, yes I have heard this before, have not seen in person yet. Stove was recently removed from the original home.

Although I have been a wood stove user for about 15 years, no experience with Woodstock products. I've read so many postive things here on the forum about their products, thought that this may something I could buy for my wife's parents. They are also wood heat people, father in law has been heating with a Regency basement install. A recent hip surgery is now limiting his mobility up and down stairs. They have a nice first floor sunroom that would be an easy install. Between the two of us, have a good supply of 2-3 year seasoned wood.

I'm aware of the weight these stoves,, can the stove be transported without damaging any of the stone? Can any of the soapstone be removed during transport? What should I be looking for in the lines of existing damage? Any tips on transporting?

 

[TheRambler]

I would call Woodstock and ask them what all you should inspect. They are an awesome company and will help you out. The main things would be that none of the metal is warped or cracked and none of the stone is cracked. Age of the catalyst? It is recommended to be replaced every 3-5 years i think.

How far are you movihg the stove? If its a short move then just be really careful and wrap it really well. If its a longer obe you may want to strap it to a pallet and build a little crate around it like the way woodstock ships them.

 

[TheRambler]

The woodstock site also has handling tips under their delivery pdf

 

[begreen]

For safest transport get or make a small pallet slightly larger than the stove base. On site, ratchet strap the stove to the pallet. Then wrap with a heavy blanket to protect the stones. You should then be able to slip a heavy duty appliance dolly under the pallet and ratchet strap the stove/pallet to the dolly so that they become one unit using blocking if there is a gap. That will make it easy to move around and to your truck. Have a ramp or extra bodies to get it in the vehicle, then strap it well to avoid shifting. Reverse procedure at home.

 

[monster_maul]

For safest transport get or make a small pallet slightly larger than the stove base. On site, ratchet strap the stove to the pallet. Then wrap with a heavy blanket to protect the stones. You should then be able to slip a heavy duty appliance dolly under the pallet and ratchet strap the stove/pallet to the dolly so that they become one unit using blocking if there is a gap. That will make it easy to move around and to your truck. Have a ramp or extra bodies to get it in the vehicle, then strap it well to avoid shifting. Reverse procedure at home.

Thanks for the responses,, and regarding price? I guess it all boils down to this at some point or another, any idea on what this stove is worth?

 

[begreen]

Given its age, the price is going to be directly related to it's condition and mileage. If it truly is low miles on the cat and in great condition then maybe $1000-1200? If really cherry and almost new then I could see going as high as $1500.

 

[ddddddden]

+1 on that valuation.
I would focus mainly on the condition of the stone & cast iron and would not worry too much about the condition of the cat. A new one is only $125, and installation is very easy. If the cat is mounted to the left, instead of center, you're looking at an older model 201(current model 205 began production in 1996.)

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I'm aware of the weight these stoves. Can the stove be transported without damaging any of the stone? Can any of the soapstone be removed during transport?

The top lifts off, as does the side door, the cat, and four firebricks in the bottom. . .should be ~ 400lbs of stove remaining.

 

[begreen]

Agreed, the condition of the cat is not a showstopper. Although it's not guaranteed but the condition of the cat might be just an indicator of the real mileage on the stove. If it is in near pristine condition the stove is more likely very low mileage.

 

[DougA]

I transported my Equinox which is even heavier just like suggestions posted. Ratchet strapped to a dolly made of 2x6s bolted together with 4 heavy wheels on each corner. The trick was getting it up onto the dolly . No way the 4 of us could lift it so we used a hydraulic car jack, then a cheap winch to pull it up onto the trailer. Best to remove the handles as I grabbed one by accident and it snapped. Personally, I would not take it apart but they do come apart fairly easily. Google a parts blow out view and you'll see how it bolts together. I had to change the outlet from rear to top and none of the bolts were frozen and I was very happy about that.

I found Hearthstone tech help was great to talk to. They are way behind on shipping parts, so if you need something like an OAK, order it early. I just got mine today. I expect all the mfgs are in the same state as everyone in the business I have talked to are all going nuts after last winter.

 

[NewStoveGuy]

I bought mine in the early summer for either $900 or $950. It was in great shape for an 11 year old stove, but needed a good cleaning and a new cat as it still had the old ceramic one. As for moving it...

Frankly, that's a biotch. I took the top off and the feet off and used a hand truck & straps to get it into the back of my SUV, and then strapped it to the cargo holds so it wouldn't move around during the 5 hour drive. I got lucky in that for both the loading and unloading I managed to get the XC-90 backed up to surfaces that were just about level with the tailgate and slide it into and out of the SUV on some boards with damage to neither stove nor Volvo. Once out I put it on a furniture dolly rated for 800lbs using a hand truck and rolled it into the house. Then back on a hand truck to go down two stairs into the living room. The worst part was getting it hoisted up a foot onto the ziggurat of a hearthpad that I had to build. That required creating a two stage ramp with bricks and good strong lumber. There was some damage to teh hearthpad brick in the final placement that needed to be repaired. All the moving required two men and the final placement was just me with the wife helping counterbalance the handtruck when lowering it into its final (permanent) resting place.

It's not fun, but doable.

Good luck and enjoying the long-lasting even heat from the soapstone will make it all worth the hassle.

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