Strikelite issue

[shooter_mcgavin]

Hey all,

I got a new strikelite 2 auger this year to replace my older strikemaster lazer mag express. Runs great, but it gets snagged just as the blades are cutting through the last bit of ice. With my old auger this was never an issue, and it uses the same blades as far as I know. I've tried running it full blast all the way through the cut and back up the hole, and it seems to cut down on the occurence. However, it still catches once every 3 or 4 holes. Last weekend it caught so abruptly that the engine actually shut off (and it was running wide open). I have to brace myself to keep the unit from spinning right out of my hands when I get to that last bit of ice.

Any ideas?

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

I clear the hole right before it breaks through with mine and haven't had a problem. It does have a pile of power though when it does grab. wakes ya right up. Lol

[Bigtom]

I do the same as ice man. Clear the hole 1 or 2 times and when you can feel the point break through clear it one more time. I had the same problem when I first got my auger and now it hardly never catches. I also think with blades over 150 holes cut it cuts better.

[Northlander]

Let up a bit or hold up a bit when you know your getting near bottom. Cleaning the hole out a few times can help too.

[brett1477]

I think I may be having a similiar problem as well. I just got a Strikelite this year and it was 2-3 years old. I just noticed this past weekend that mine would cut out about half way or more through the hole. I didn't try cleaning the hole out, but I did notice that I only had a half tank of gas, which is right where the two gas lines come in to the tank......anything related to half a tank of gas? I have not been out again to try cleaning the hold out but I will try that as well. Thanks for the help guys.

[shooter_mcgavin]

Thanks for the replies. I tried clearing the hole right before I get to the last bit of ice last night, and it seemed to help a bit. Still grabs as it breaks through but didn't get totally stuck.

I emailed strikemaster and will update if I figure anything out with them.

[shooter_mcgavin]

Went fishing again last night. The auger got stuck and the engine killed once on the first two holes, and something broke when it got stuck in the third hole. The auger wouldn't even turn anymore, so I packed up and drove to Gander, and luckily talked them into returning it (after they requested I empty all liquids, which meant dumping the gas & oil into a bucket in the parking lot). I now have a lazer mag express, hopefully one that will drill a hole!

Too little too late, but strikemaster replied that the blades might not be ground properly, and they wanted me to remove the blades and read them the numbers & letters stamped on the metal. I guess they can check it out themselves when it comes back to them.

[hibanks1]

I had that problems after replacing a dull blade. I mounted the blade under rather than over the holes on the auger....once they are on top, it worked fine.

[slipperybob]

You need to hold the auger back just a bit. As it drills deeper and more slush piles on to it. It drills more aggressive. So hold it back as it's breaking through and the bottoms of your holes will also be cut more cleanly.

[shooter_mcgavin]

Tried out my new strikemaster lazer mag express last weekend. That thing cuts fast! No need to "let up" when its about to break through, and never got caught or slowed down once.

[tsande00]

Tried out my new strikemaster lazer mag express last weekend. That thing cuts fast! No need to "let up" when its about to break through, and never got caught or slowed down once.

Welcome to the club!