How much would a gas auger cost ?And is there a difference in brands or models? Thinking with my overtime i would get one .Breaking the ice on my driveway convinced me to forget about the manual auger![pirate]
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Ocean - I too am in the market for a new power ice auger. I've been doing alot of research, etc. I've been looking at Eskimo, Jiffy and Strike Master. My dad has an old Eskimo and has drilled 1000's of holes with it over the years. With that in mind - the Eskimo's seem to be the cheapest around $200'ish. The Jiffy's are next around $300 and the Strike Master's around $350 and up.
I personally have been looking at getting the Strike Master Lazer Mag. They seem to get great reviews for quality and the engine is supposed to be solid. The others seem pretty good too, but it seems the StrikeMaster makes the top of most lists.
I would be curious about other BFTers on this one as well. Specifically, whose blades hold out the longest? My dad seems to sharpen his Eskimo's alot.
F4F
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]I've got an Eskimo Baracuda Plus with the 3 hp Tecumseh motor. I like the high horsepower rating which blast through the ice and the auger has been very reliable. My only gripe is it takes a few holes to really warm up good; just about the time I'm done drillling holes.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]I've got a buddy with a Jiffy and it doesn't seem to have the warm up time mine needs and rips through ice like a raped ape on fire. It's only 2 hp and lighter than mine.[/size][/font][/size][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]I'd also think about what size diameter auger you'll want. I've got and 8" and it's perfect for what I like to do. A lot of folks go with the 10" and are quite happy with them. I have the curved turbo-cut blades which are more expensive than the straight quantum blades. The replacement cost for my auger is about $29.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]I think all there companies make good augers and you probably can't go wrong with any of them.[/size][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]My next investment is a good case to keep the weather off my auger when not in use. There are several but I'm leaning towards the Cabela's full cover.[/size][/font]
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I have the same thing as BLM in a ten inch. I have the same complaint about the warm up time. But it isn't that bad. I wouldn't trade it for any other gas auger I have ever used.
Cableguy
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I've been using a 8" Mag III for years and years and years. I fired it up a few days ago on the third pull. I certainly cant complain because I drill countless holes every year and have gotten my money back a hundred times over. But this year its going to be retired to standby for no good reason other than I bought a new 10" (Witch i dont get untill Xmas).
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Like was mentioned above I dont think you could go wrong with any of the top three brands. I personally have the strike master 10 inch. Had it for 5 years now drilled countless holes,always starts on the first few pulls,have more than gotten my moneys worth out of it. If and when it dies I will certainly get another Strike Master. just my 2 cents.
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I bought a 2 hp Eskimo Mako 3 years ago for about $200 and have drilled a couple hundred holes with it. The first 100 or so went through the ice like butter. The last 100 holes it hasn't done so well. 2 hp is plenty of power with sharp blades, but once the blades got a little dull, it would stall in the hole occasionally if I was using it in "inconsistant" ice. Don't know if the higher hp models experience this phenom. Overall, It has been worth every penny, especially when the ice at Scofield is pushing 30 inches. If I had it to do over, I think I'd get a higher hp model and one with a clear gas tank, it's impossible to guage the gas in the opaque tanks.
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]One of the reasons I went to the 3 hp model was exactly what you are talking about. My friend has an Eskimo 2 hp with a 10" auger and it stalled out at times right out of the box. You had to "hold" it back to keep it cutting without putting too much pressure on the clutches. No a real big deal but a little disappointing. I never regret having 3 hp.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]The gas tanks you can see through are nice for convience. Also an automatic venting cap is nice so you don't have to unscrew the vent on the gas cap so you keep fuel off your hands. I also fill up before every trip so I won't have to mess with fuel while I'm out. That doesn't mean I don't have a tank of extra 2-cycle fuel strapped to the snowmobile though.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"]"My next investment is a good case to keep the weather off my auger when not in use." A wise choice. I took my almost new gas auger out on the ice behind a snowmobile and it ended up covered in snow, sand, and mud. Not a pretty sight.[/font]
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