Lopi APG: Pellets seem to be getting wedged... What to do

[Ctwilly49]

Bought Lopi AGP in Oct 2013. It was a one year old Stove that was used in Showroom and was then moved to outside used Stove area and sold as such. After much searching for information regarding this model I found that when it first went on the Market it had a Recall for underpowered Auger Motor and the need to have HRD, Horizontal Rotary Disk Shear Blade re torqued ( to what Torque I do not know ) I asked and was assured it had upgraded Motor and had been correctly torqued. Problem: After burning 3 tons of Pellets last Winter and doing by the Book cleaning before this Yrs start up, Stove would ignite run fine and then go out. I've narrowed it down to Pellets getting wedged in Rotory Shear Disk and cutting supply of Pellets to Burn Plate, resulting in loss of Fire. I was given a 6 Month Warranty and don't know if they will stand behind the fixes they say they made? As my problem seems to be associated to those recalled parts. Since I know Auger Motor runs, Auger feeds, I'm thinking needs more Torque for Shear to snap Pellets and not jam? Long Worded Post, sorry. But does anyone out there have Lopi AGP and or similar problem! Thank You, Ct Willy

 

[UD-HD]

Hi, did you ever get this issue resolved? I am interested in hearing how you fixed this. I have same problem, peices of pellets are getting wedged under the blade preventing it from turning. I have found that removing the blade and cleaning the area to work, but just for a short time. Seems like the motor isnt strong enough to cut the pellets or there is too much tolerance in the area under the blase and little peices of pellets are getting stuck.

 

[myown1]

I had the same problem with a Lopi AGP. It was installed new in Jan 2013 and we loved it until we switched to a new brand of pellets last month - then it started jamming every day or so. Talked to the dealer's service guy and he suggested replacing the shear blade with a new improved one. I just got the new one (covered under warranty) and installed it myself. So far, it seems to be working, and the THUNK the stove makes when crunching through a pellet seems quieter and less frequent.
The new blade is on the right in the photo: looks like they changed the grind on the edge so the new one is sharper. They also included the new piece (brace?) shown that fits on top of the blade. I didn't install that because it felt like the screws weren't long enough; they seemed to be only catching on a couple of threads.
The new part is labeled "Chisel, Pellet" with AGP# 250-02605, and what looks like a manufacturing date of "08/06/14".
Hope that helps.

 

[UD-HD]

Hi, thanks for the info. I already have the updated blade. That new piece (brace/spacer) that you didn't install goes under the blade, at least that's how it was installed in mine. I just installed a new blade my dealer sent me but that hasn't fixed the problem. It still jams. Do u know how I can tell if I have the upgraded auger motor? The new blade is pretty sharp I'm thinking the only thing left is the motor isn't strong enough.

Any help is greatly appreciated. It takes 2-3 weeks for a tech to come to my house. Not happy with The Stove Shoppe!

 

[gqllc007]

I have the Avalon APG...How do you even reach the blade to change it? Where do you find it???

 

[UD-HD]

Remove all the pellets from the hopper and there's an access panel with four screws. I don't think you need to remove this to get at the blade but it does give you more room to work. You may need to let the auger rotate until you actually see the screws for the blade. The blade is held on by 2 Allen hex screws.

 

[gqllc007]

Thank you!

 

[myown1]

UD-HD: You're right, there was a spacer under the old blade as well. I have the new spacer in now, although it seems identical to the old one.
I went through about 6 bags of pellets without a problem, and then had another jam this morning. Here are some more photos. It looks like several pellets got stuck at the same time. Also, the blade looks a bit chipped; it wasn't that way when I put it in. So for my stove it looks like a sharp blade fixes the problem, but the blade isn't strong enough. Maybe they need to make a carbide blade or something??
About the motor: a photo of mine is attached for comparison; I don't know if it's bigger or smaller than what others have.

 

[lagger]

that pic makes me wonder if the pellets aren't a little too moist the way they are clumped up there... so far about 30 bags i on my agp insert, no issues yet but now I cringe every time I hear the "Thumps" as pellets are cut

 

[myown1]

Don't know: the pellets look and feel pretty normal. They're Green Supreme (new this year). Last year I burned about 4 tons of Green Supreme and Maine's Choice (at least a ton of each) and didn't have any major problems.

 

[UD-HD]

Myown1...that's exactly where my blade is jamming. And that blade is nicked up quite a bit. It's strange that wood pellets can chip a steel blade like that. I have a new blade in mine and it still jams.

I also have the same motor, or at least it looks like the same. However, you have some foil/sheet metal things on each side of the motor. I don't know what that does, but I don't have that. I have two rubber bushings attached to the motor mount, one on each side of the motor. I have a tech coming out next Monday to hopefully fix it. But this things is basically useless to me at this point.

 

[UD-HD]

Hey lagger...if u ever have the left side panel off can you post pics of your motor? I'm curious if you have the upgraded motor that people have been talking about.

My pellets have been stored in my basement for last few months and it's been less than 50 percent humidity down there, and they feel pretty dry. I have green supreme and they jam. Nations choice and Pennington also jam. These are from lowes and walmart. Tractor supply pelet's work fine but I cant them anymore.

 

[lagger]

New stove and not sure at this point on how to remove the side panels.. on my gotta learn it list (manual less than helpful). I bought 10 bags of the GS this year and was glad to be rid of them (just yesterday) ashy, not particularly hot etc. will not buy again unless I have to. My stove was installed 4/14 and my installer (Northstar Middletown NY) assured me I have the upgraded motor... so far no jams (fingers crossed. When I learn how to tear this insert down completely I intend to post pics of all the internals. Burning thru 10 bags of heat'rs now, seem ok but not great .. still have 1.75 tons of Timber Heats and 40 bags of NEWPs too (they make the GS but seem to be better quality fwiw)

 

[myown1]

Myown1...that's exactly where my blade is jamming. And that blade is nicked up quite a bit. It's strange that wood pellets can chip a steel blade like that. I have a new blade in mine and it still jams. ...tech coming out next Monday ...

One more followup: I looked at the original blade and the outer half of the cutting edge was noticeably worn, but I don't see any nicks or chipping like the new one. It's an interesting wear pattern: under a 10x magnifier the edge looks squared off, almost as if someone had held it vertical against a grinding stone.
So I sharpened the original blade on a whetstone and put it back in. Going ok so far after 2.5 bags of GS. For me for now, I'm adding blade sharpening to my periodic maintenance list.
Just speculating here, but I wonder if some of the pellets have grit in them (tiny rock or metal fragments, etc). That wouldn't be a problem for a conventional auger-type drive but it could wreak havoc on a cutting blade.

Please let us know if the tech has any other useful suggestions on Monday.

PS the foil you spotted in the photo was just a temporary thing, not actually part of the stove.

 

[73Charger]

I had this same issue, and the only resolution was to have the upgraded motor for the snap disc installed. My stove is now in its third season, and other than the jamming issue early on, it's been great. The only other minor issue I have is that I tend to get too much ash, no matter what brand of pellet I burn.

 

[checkthisout]

That design looks like it would be very sensitive to any up/down play in the motor and any kind of where on the blade. If the back side of the blade wears at all the, the blade will want to ramp up on the pellets instead of cutting them, causing a jam.

 

[Ctwilly49]

Surprised to see so many Posts since I originally posted this problem. When I pulled my Blade it looked like it had tried to eat some small Hardware or maybe a Pebble that had found it's way into a Bag? I pulled and resharpened Blade with sharper Edge. Also spray Locksmiths Grease onto visible Surface you see when Hopper Plate is removed. Blunt Blade and soft Pellets that would bunch up seemed to be my Problem! Shallower angle on new Blade makes sense as the old Blade would cause Snow Plow effect pushing Pellets into Jam Zone as it inched forward!
Check Pellets out of Bags you are buying to make sure they are not Moisture swollen before you buy a ton!! Good Luck...