WoodChuck 3100 Top Lever --What's it for?

[Drew King]

Hello everyone,
I'm a novice when it comes to a wood furnace.

My elderly father in law recently passed away.
At his home, he owns a Woodchuck 3100 wood furnace.
On the front of it, there are 3 handles.

What is the top handle/lever for? We pulled it out, and it just looks like a 2 foot long or so straight rod.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it is called a Heat Exchanger Control Rod.
I do notice that on the back side of the furnace at the same height, the exhaust duct is there.

Anyone know it's proper function?

 

[3fordasho]

Hello everyone,
I'm a novice when it comes to a wood furnace.

My elderly father in law recently passed away.
At his home, he owns a Woodchuck 3100 wood furnace.
On the front of it, there are 3 handles.

What is the top handle/lever for? We pulled it out, and it just looks like a 2 foot long or so straight rod.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it is called a Heat Exchanger Control Rod.
I do notice that on the back side of the furnace at the same height, the exhaust duct is there.

Anyone know it's proper function?

Total guess as I don't own a Woodchuck, but it could be a baffle bypass. It would be used during reloads to reduce smoke spillage when the loading door is open. IE the control would give the exhaust smoke a straighter shot up the flue pipe when in bypass mode. Then once the loading door is closed again the lever is moved so the baffle is back in place causing a indirect path for the flames/exhaust, slowing the exhaust, retaining more heat in the furnace. Your description sounds like some of the mechanism is missing or burned away however.

 

[maple1]

Did you try googling a manual?