Tarm installation

[gregkmoff]

Greetings

I'm looking at a number of options for wood heat; one is a Tarm Solo40. I've got a question about installation. The website shows that it weighs in around ~1100lbs; how it is possible to get it into an existing home/basement with that weight? Does it come apart?

Just looking for ideas.

Thanks,
Greg.

 

[Nofossil]

Greetings

I'm looking at a number of options for wood heat; one is a Tarm Solo40. I've got a question about installation. The website shows that it weighs in around ~1100lbs; how it is possible to get it into an existing home/basement with that weight? Does it come apart?

Just looking for ideas.

Thanks,
Greg.

There are a couple of threads that address rigging issues. I think you can remove some of the sheet metal, which keeps it form getting dented and scratched. You can't unbolt much weight, though.

If you're dealing with a bulkhead, there's no simple solution. I think people have used cranes and ramps with rollers - restraining the unit with a pickup truck. It's a big hunk of metal any way you look at it.

I have a basement that's ground level on one side, with an insulated garage door. I had it delivered on a tilt-bed wrecker. We slid it down and onto some sections of steel pipe.

 

[Eric Johnson]

If you don't have a lot of strong friends or you're not mechanically creative, then I'd consider factoring in the cost of a professional rigger or equipment moving specialist into your project budget. Most of the weight in a gasifier is refractory cement, and much of that can't be easily removed.

 

[muncybob]

I have a similar situation...pair of doors that open up to reveal 3 concrete steps down into the basement which was another door that is barely 5'6" high. I'm afraid that the access to my basement will prevent me from installing anythng in the ideal location(indoors).

 

[Thomask9590]

Maybe a utility house is in order. I know here in Maine several people keep these units outside for easy repair and instalation.

 

[MrEd]

I agree with TGun9590 - consider a utility house.

Yes, the weigh quite a bit and are hard to maneuver, but keep in mind they weigh only a fraction of the wood you will burn each year which will also have to be moved into your cellar each season- I probably have enough room in my cellar for mine, and probably, with the right equipment could get it down there, thru a bulkhead, but when I also considered lugging 6-8 cords of woods and stacking it in the cellar every year for the next 30 years, I decided to put my tarm in a seperate boiler/woodshed building close to the house that will make getting firewood to it painless (as it can be) and keep the bugs and mess out of the living area, not to mention the fire danger - especially if insurance companies ever decide to tighten up underwriting standards (I predict a lot of house fires this year, and each year that oil prices stay this high and people on low budgets put in poorly installed wood burning appliances in a desperate attempt to save money and stay warm which may cause insurance companies to clamp down.)

 

[bbb123]

The sheet metal comes in a seperate box and is installed last. Once you get it to floor lvl it is fairly easy to move around with pipes. My situation I have a cellar garage door, and a tractor with forks so it was easy. Another point people with low ceiling height you need at least a couple feet above the boiler to clean it. You have to run a brush from the top to almost the bottom of the boiler. They are flexible I have about 3 foot and it bounces off the ceiling every stroke.

 

[muncybob]

I have been considering an insulated shed for a Tarm...probably the 40 but maybe the 60...still looking at that! But based on the larger of the two and hoping to have at least a chord of wood in the shed and also having room to move around and clean things...what size shed/building would you say I need?

 

[CNY Joe]

I had the same dilema. No direct access to the basement and the 1st floor layout prevented any type of rigging option. An alternative I looked at was to install my Tarm in the barn, approx 200+ ft away. After crunching the numbers for piping, insulation, digging the trench, etc.. I had to rule this out. At present, I'm looking at installing a Bilco basement door or something similar. To get the Tarm into the basement with ease, I'm planning the installations to be on the same day - move the Tarm into the basement in the morning and install the precast steps in the afternoon.

 

[MrEd]

I have been considering an insulated shed for a Tarm...probably the 40 but maybe the 60...still looking at that! But based on the larger of the two and hoping to have at least a chord of wood in the shed and also having room to move around and clean things...what size shed/building would you say I need?

I would think an 8x12 would work OK, you might be able to go smaller if you didn't mind being. I am planning on a 12x24 because I would like to store 5-6 cords of wood inside and still have room to maneuver and keep a few other things.

 

[lawandorder]

I am installing a Tarm Solo 40 into an 8 x 16 boiler room attached to the rear of the garage. That should be enough for water/wood storage. Good luck

 

[leaddog]

An easy attractive and fire safe boiler shed can be made out of a 20ft shipping container. 8x20 steel that is rain and rodent proof and can be sided to look good. Easy to move and enough room for your storage and some wood. They can be had for about 1500 to 2000 and you can hardy build one for that.
leaddog

 

[flyingcow]

If you don't have a lot of strong friends or you're not mechanically creative, then I'd consider factoring in the cost of a professional rigger or equipment moving specialist into your project budget. Most of the weight in a gasifier is refractory cement, and much of that can't be easily removed.

This is a very good bit of advice. I used to do alot of moving/rigging heating and ventilating equipment. When you're talking as much weight as a Tarm weighs, it's not for the inexperienced. Especially if you're at the bottom of the hole. :bug: Let alone the fact if you drop this bad boy, it'll cost a bit to get it fixed. That's if you can get it back out on the lawn. And you have to start all over again.

 

[Chris S]

You're either a rigger... or practicing to be one.
Sometimes I'm not sure which category I'm in , but I haven't dropped anything heavy (lately)

 

[jebatty]

If you have height, the Tarm has a lifting rink on the top. I moved my partially into place with my tractor.