Maxim 175 vs 250

[Redngold]

Hello,

After reading many comments on this site and others, I have noticed that the Maxim 175 has had it's share of problems, especially when burning pellets.

I had originally purchased a Traeger GBU130 corn furnace, but was not allowed to tie into our current forced air furnace due to home insurance issues.

I looked into the Maxim two years ago, but decided to wait if other makes/models were on the way. I was interested in the Gerkros boiler that was able to burn all sorts of biofuels. Unfortunately, they went broke! I also like the Tarm/Baxi grain boilers, but they are very expensive, and must be kept in a room that does not freeze.

This brings me back to the Maxim. My local dealer called with the latest incentive: $1,000 off the price of the 175 or $900 off the 250. Also, CB is willing to throw-in the 43 bu external hopper for free if you purchase the $500 auger. I understand that the 175 is no longer being produced. I would be mainly burning corn, and perhaps some wheat.

The 250 is $800 more than the 175 (Canadian dollars). What do you guys think?

Thanks!

Alan

[T_Hartigan]

Will they take the Traeger on trade-in? They were also offering free Thermopex.

I like my 175. I suspect C.B. originally built it for corn, but threw the pellets in at the end and that is the reason for some of the originals having burn-back issues.

If insurance insists that it cannot be inside and your set on burning make sure there are no OWB rules out there or that are coming. Most OWB regulations I have seen say solid fuel burning and don't excempt corn/pellets, although they are aimed at chunk wood. I've been watching Ohio's EPA for the next draft rules.

Not sure if the 175 was ever EPA phase II certified. That may make your decision easier.

Tim
_________________
3rd year with Central Boiler Maxim 175
100% corn first 2 years.
3rd year, Corn, Acorns, 1 ton wood pellets.

[jdeere5220]

I doubt anyone on here will have experience with both, other than a dealer, so here is my 2 cents:

From what I've seen the HX on the 175 is easier to clean, and the 175 will burn less corn when it's not real cold outside or if you are not heating a real large house.

The M250 will heat a very large house without any backup, but it will also burn more than the 175 even when you don't need a lot of BTUs. The M250 unit can be in the 75% + efficiency area (by my real-world calculations) as long as it's working and not sitting idle. The heat exchanger is difficult to clean and you will need to make or have made a custom scraper to clean it with.

I've looked at both in person, and I really don't see that much difference in the two in terms of overall design of the augers and burn pot. I can't see that the M250 is really capable of eating that much more corn than the 175, but maybe its the sum of small changes.

My Maxim is basically a turn-it-on-and-forget-it corn burner. I haven't had to do one thing to it this year, just fill it with corn every couple days. Pick the one that is the right size for your load.

An aside- My dealer dropped off the back-burn prevention kit today. I opened it up, and the instructions say it's for the 175. Does the 250 even need this upgrade? It's basically a small water sprinkler with a temperature activated valve. I don't think I'll bother, I haven't seen any backburn or even hint of backburn while burning corn in my 250. I suspect this is only a potential problem if burning pellets, and even then only if you lose power. If anyone wants this kit just let me know and I'll send it to you (your pick up the shipping). It even came with high-grade drill bits for installing the temperature probe!
_________________
Maxim M250 outdoor corn/pellet burner
Old Beat-up Gravity Box
I support Global Warming

[boiler]

I have both central boilers Maxim 175 and 250. The 250 is great and the 175 has been problems since day one. The dealer has been here 12 times and can't figure it out. Central Boiler in MN was going to Fed Ex a troubleshooting guide but we haven't received it.(don't think we ever will) Just when you need it to give heat, it shuts down and doesn't always re-light. We have used 3-20lb LP tanks for lighting in less than 3 months. We asked Central Boiler to trade it for a 250 but doesn't look like they will.
Buy a 175 if you like to babysit and not leave the house. :evil:

[stillstream]

the thing about Central Boiler is they are going to fast, they ought to slow down and get back to the quality they profess. Our 175 is a pain, but once we get it going it runs great, getting the settings right for varying types of corn, relighting, pain in the butt. You really have to see if theere are several sources in your area if you can try the corn before you buy a big load, type, moisture and clean - ness really make a lot of difference in the time you are going to have to spend futzing around with it. Once you get it going right, don't let it go out is the best advice I can offer, and stay on this forum
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Maxim 175, second year, corn

[ayrporte]

I don't think it matters what type of biomass boiler system you buy
You are going to have to "baby sit them to a point
Had a grain comfort corn stove be fore we put in the boiler worked good but had to maintain if every day
You cant just walk away and let them run the entire season without any maintenance.
We have been quite happy with our 175 we ask a lot of it and we seem to be getting a lot out of it
We are going on our 3rd year now 22-30 ton / year
The only part we have replaced is one agitator wasn't the stoves fault (did not see the holes get plugged up and it blew the end out of it)
The corn has to be DRY it can be dirty with in reason
We have never had to clean the corn
We have burnt wheat with good success but there is a learning curve to it

I have a neighbor who put one in a year ago with the auto fill he is only heating his farm house and DHW and burns about 10-12 tons a year
He removes 1 scoop of ash a day
Goes to Florida for six weeks and other than someone checking it once a day it has run flawlessly
As far as I know it is the only auto start boiler out their That propane start works like a dream


I cant stress it enough if you are burning corn that the dryer the better the better test weight the more heat you will get

Its just like the wood stoves the dryer and harder the wood the more heat you will get

Very satisfied owner of a Maxim 175