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Auger Suggestions

Chill62
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Chill62 Experienced

Chill62

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Wondering what you guys would suggest for an auger upgrade.  I have an 8" eskimo currently and it's not new by any means but spent a lot of money on her last year and debating on pulling the trigger on a new auger.  I'm wondering Gas or Propane.  Gas, do you go 4 stroke or 2? Propane is it worth the extra price and fuel filter issues?

I'm wanting a 9" ideally or a 10" if not available.

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slick2526 Mentor

slick2526

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If I didnt have a older model 30 thats in great shape this would be top of the list, and I still have been thinking about getting one and keeping the model 30 for back up.

 

http://www.rapala.com/strikemaster/power-ice-augers/gas-ice-augers/hondaandtrade-35cc-lite/Honda+35cc+Lite.html?cgid=strikemaster-power-gas#start=1&cgid=strikemaster-power-

 

lightest weight auger besides the two stroke strikemaster. I think the nils powerhead is very light weight also but spendy. Think your going to struggle find a 9" Jiffy use to make them, not sure if they do anymore but personally I would aviod the new jiffys. Heard nothing but bad things said about there customer service and warranty issues the last few years.

 

Curious as to what model Eskimo you have, and how old is it? They offer the best warranty on the market now as far as gas augers go, they as have the most reliable propane auger also if you decide to go that way. One thing eskimo doesnt lack is the weight, other wise they are my choice right behind strikemaster

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Chill62 Experienced

Chill62

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I think it is a 43/44 cc model.  It's about 5-6 years old and the guy who had it originally dropped it from the side of the pickup.  When I moved south I sold all my gear pretty much so when I moved back my boss gave it to me knowing I'd have to put money into it.  I fixed a bunch of stuff the first year with fuel lines and gromets.  Then last year the starting coil broke and when that happened I started leaking fuel and the carbs got screwed up on the same trip.  I know they aren't related but very weird they all went at the same time.  I took it in and they replaced the carb since it's cheaper to replace then repair now and they "fixed" the tank.  Well got it back and it still leaked put up with it for a while till I couldn't keep gas in and took it back mad and the manager found the issue instantly and wasn't happy his technician missed it.  So I have a new tank and fuel lines, new carb, new recoil kit on her.  Spent about 1/3 of what a new one would have cost me so was a double edge sword, I know it is fixed and should run just fine but I had a good chunk towards a brand new one.

 

I really like that 4 stroke and love the weight of them but $600 is a little steep in my book.  Granted it'd be worth it but that's a bit steep.

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slick2526 Mentor

slick2526

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After dropping that money into the Eskimo auger you should have a great auger for a few years at least, I would save up for the Honda/strikemaster and look for it on sale. I would think that auger would last you decade's

Just now, slick2526 said:

After dropping that money into the Eskimo auger you should have a great auger for a few years at least, I would save up for the Honda/strikemaster and look for it on sale. I would think that auger would last you decade's

It's steep but you get what you pay for imo

 

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bbfenatic Enthusiast

bbfenatic

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Now that I have one I would not go with anything other than an Ion...wish I had done it long ago...just pull the trigger and cut...no gas leaks or rebuilds needed....nice and light...cuts as good if not better than my gas Eskimo.  With the new Ion X out this year I bet the standard models will get discounted.

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Chill62 Experienced

Chill62

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On 11/25/2016 at 11:11 AM, bbfenatic said:

Now that I have one I would not go with anything other than an Ion...wish I had done it long ago...just pull the trigger and cut...no gas leaks or rebuilds needed....nice and light...cuts as good if not better than my gas Eskimo.  With the new Ion X out this year I bet the standard models will get discounted.

 

What is the difference between the X and previous models?  I haven't paid any attention but they sure are the rave so just curious the difference.

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bbfenatic Enthusiast

bbfenatic

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From what I know it is just a more robust battery...will drill more holes but that has never been an issue for me.  I get plenty of holes with the standard battery as I remove it and keep it inside my back pack in my heated clam flipover and just slide it on if I need to drill more holes.  I do have the model with the "reverse" feature that flushes the cut ice back down the hole so there is very little to clean out after cutting.

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Chill62 Experienced

Chill62

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Do you get the number of holes it advertises it will do?  I'm just nervous with a battery operated one that it wont like the cold or you get electrical issues down the road.  They might be built good but will it still be running just fine in 10 years?

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eyechoholic Enthusiast

eyechoholic

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I have the strikemaster honda 4 stroke absolutely love it. It's light quiet and it doesn't smoke out a house like a 2 stroke. 

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AlwaysFishing23 Experienced

AlwaysFishing23

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I've always used strikemaster and I've never had a issue always around jiffys during my child hood and my first auger was a strike master (hand auger) and  last year I won a chipper lite and love it always starts cuts great and extremely reliable never have to worry about it not starting now matter how cold. Just my 2 cents.

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eyechoholic Enthusiast

eyechoholic

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9 hours ago, Chill62 said:

how long have you had it?

I believe 4 years it was the first year it came out. I've had a couple buddies go out and buy one after using it. I also have a couple buddies that have Eskimos and wish they had gotten it instead. The Eskimos are tanks if your into drilling alot of holes it makes a big difference. It costs a little more but it's a Honda it will be drilling holes until I'm to old to drill holes.

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bbfenatic Enthusiast

bbfenatic

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On 11/28/2016 at 1:15 PM, Chill62 said:

Do you get the number of holes it advertises it will do?  I'm just nervous with a battery operated one that it wont like the cold or you get electrical issues down the road.  They might be built good but will it still be running just fine in 10 years?

 

Chill...I have never tried to max out the holes all at once but I've cut around 50 holes over a one day period with no problem but that is taking battery off and keeping it in a back pack...I certainly expect it to work OK for 10 years and if I need to I can get another battery to bring along....my guess over 10 years I will save some on not buying gas, not dealing with gas motor repairs plus not being concerned about it starting...it will be interesting to find out how it holds up over 10 years...we'll see.

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