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Anyone out there have any experience with using a cutting torch to removal an old style boiler? The unit is probably in the neighborhood of 15,000 lbs. and sits atop a concrete pedestal. Has been checked for, and cleared of asbestos. Wanting to know if anyone knows approximately how much time may be involved in removing this unit piece by piece with a torch. Thank you.
Put the word "boiler" in the search box and you will find quite a few prior posts on this subject.
Let me help >>Quote:
Originally Posted by wayne1956
http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/gsear...=1663j784273j6
... and scroll down and look at "similar threads"
While I didn't go through all of the related threads, I don't think there is any information that would answer his question. I believe recycle1974 is looking for someone with experience in torching one of these...or maybe something similar.
the insides should be cast iron.
torch is a poor choice for cast iron.
sledge hammer and safety gear is my weapon of choice.
It's gonna be a pain in the d**k. The main issue isn't the steel it's the amount of calcium/lime buildup on the inside of the boiler and all over the pipes. The last time I removed one was years ago. I have cut up 100s of them and they all have it. It's pretty basic once u look at it but being a rookie you gotta start somewhere. Good luck at least check back in and let us know what happened.
You will need to provide more information. I have taken out boilers in less than a day and others that took over a month. The easiest took one man, a three foot torch, oxygen and propane. It was a one man job. The biggest was a ten story boiler that required a 16ft, custom made torch and four employees. It was a week and a half project.
A seven ton boiler should be an easy challenge assuming they did not burn coal through it. If so, please contact me for ideas.
15000 lbs of steel is worth around $600 here locally....if it can be done quickly and on the cheap might be a worthy project
Plasma cuts cast iron.Quote:
Originally Posted by MattInTheHat
Thank you all for the input. Will keep you posted if I decide to take the job. Going to talk to the owner of the building again and have another look at that thing before I commit.
You didnt say if it wa sin the basement or main floor. But what I have done in the past is recruit a buddy and his wrecker. Drop the boom as far as it can, run the cable down the stairs, and then use black pipe as slides. Then drag ti up. You have a twin winch boom, it will come with ease or use a block and tackle to double the single winch. Then we either let it rest on the wheel lift and chain binder it in the back of the truck and drive it down. Or in extreme cases like yours, walk it over and drop it on a trailer or drag it on the trailer and go. !5k is a bit much for a 1 ton wrecker, but u find like a f450 made for school busses you should be good. Torch is last resort and I would highly recommend a man paid on fire patrol cause sometimes torchign can start little fires And you wont know it till ya engulfed. Trust me, been there, done that. Think the heaviest boiler we yanked was 21k in one shot using a single winch with a block tackle. And then used his rollback to move it to yard, as the f450 literally the nose came off the ground trying to lift it up on the trailer.