So, I finally made my way up to Schlemmer Bros. in Wabash IN today, hoping they might still have a Harman among the display units they were clearing out. No such luck, so I ended up "settling" and putting a little money down on a Hastings. Whaddyathink?
I liked my Hastings; great looking stove, ran well and kept my main floor (950 sq/ft) nice and warm. A bit more needy in the cleaning area than a Harman, and the ash can needs to be dumped more often (every weekend for me). My biggest issue was the hopper size and I couldn't put on an extension. For you, I'm guessing it doesn't get as cold, so hopper size is probably fine. Also, probably won't be running it as hard or as consistent as me, so won't have to clean and dump ashes as often. The 3 running options are great too (manual, auto with idle between calls for heat, and fully thermostat controlled). The Hastings is a very solid stove and I think you will be pleased with it.
They seem to be solid stoves. Smokinpiney has one. Maybe he can comment Good luck and I hope it serves you well!
Bogie already covered most of it. I bought mine used and neglected. It was totally gummed up so i did a complete tear down and cleaning, replaced a few parts and it's ran great so far. I did just replace the combustion /exhaust blower (it was making some racket towards the end of last season) but it's a simple stove to work on. My only complaint is also the hopper size. I use mine as secondary heat and still found myself filling the hopper quite often. Oh and so far it's not been very picky about pellets. Yes some burn better than others but it's eaten pretty much every brand I've fed it. I think you'll enjoy it! Good luck and put up some pics when you get it! Invite some strong friends over, this sucker weighs in over 400lbs. Oh did i mention it's a good looking stove! Don't pay attention to that unpainted pipe, it's black now haha.
You can make the weight more manageable by removing all the cast iron parts (top, sides and false door). Easy HH bolts to remove for the sides (2 each), the top just lifts off, and the false door is held on by pins. Even after removal of those parts it is pretty heavy for the size it is.
Oh yea i had all the sides removed when I installed it. But when i bought it we removed it complete. Wheww was she heavy!
Going on my 11th season on my 2000 model St. Croix Pepin. I need to replace the analog board this year as the stove will not shut off with the switch. Other than that it's be dependable as sin.
