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I think I am going to buy a power auger this year. I have kind of narrowed down my search of all the "better tier augers" to two options. I would love to hear some opinions from our forum on these newer propane models and the 4 stroke engine models.
So I am trying to decide between two new augers. A Stikemaster Honda Lite 35 (with the Honda 4 stroke motor), and the Jiffy Pro 4 Propane model. If anyone has opinions on them please share.
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Cant say Ive used one of the Jiffy Propane Augers so not much help there but in the same boat. Ive been using the same Eskimo Mako auger for # of years and looking to upgrade. Hit youtube there lots of videos of the Jiffy Propane auger and from the looks of it, it like like it does hell of a job plus no gas / oil to mess with.
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Used a buddies propane auger last year up on Henry's it was a 10" and worked okay, but I wasn't sold on it, I think I'd go 4 stroke, but I haven't used them so I can't say for sure. Seems like we had problems with the propane starting and then it seemed like it sort of lacked power to me, but it might have been the 10" hole it was chewing too... I preferred my hand auger but the ice was still only 6" thick... Later J
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After using a hand auger for a number of years, and borrowing a few different gas augers, I bit the bullet and bought a Jiffy Propane last year. I got the last 8" one they had at Cableas and man its the best piece of equipment I have bought in a while. My buddies made fun of me for paying so much for an auger when gas ones were cheaper. But when we were on Fish lake in the middle of Feb and we were cutting holes like crazy they were glad there was no need for hauling gas around. I like the fact there is not gas, and I taje a few propane canisters for my heater and auger. It has never taken more than two pulls to start. Moat times it starts first pull. People have their own opinions on gas Im sure, but Jifffy makes one hell of an auger and the propane one is top notch.
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I bought the 10" propane auger and the engine works great... I had to call Jiffy and get a new part for the propane connection, but it was quick and they were extremely gratious.
Starts quick, drills quick, very little smell.
I take my kids and their friends a lot during the winter and last year was the most productive I've had with groups (4 or more) simply because I could drill 10 holes in 10 minutes and then concentrate on fishing and not drilling.
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The only concern I'd have with a propane auger would be the first start when it's super cold. Propane consists of a lot of hydrogen in its hydrocarbon makeup. When hydorgen burns it forms water of course and in a super cold engine that water condenses almost immediately and can condense on the spark plug fouling it. I learned this a long time ago when we had a propane forklift at a mill I managed. If the engine didn't start and rev up a little on the first try we had to pull the plugs and heat them up with a torch then put them back in real quick and try again. there were times we had to go through this procedure several times.
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During real cold adventures i've had concerns with my propane stove, but the auger fired up great at all the spots I tried. (Strawberry, Scofield, Pelican, UT lake, Panguitch, Starvation)
The real cold trips were to Panguitch and Pelican and it worked great. I havn't read anywhere that there's been a problem, but that doesn't mean there won't be.
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My Jiffy pro 4 is a beast - 200 holes on one tank - tears through ice like butter, starts on the 1st pull almost every time. 100% - you won't regret it.
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Thanks to everyone who shared their opinions. It's nice to hear about your experiences with the Jiffy. They have been very helpful. I know the Strikemaster is a new model, so I didn't anticipate hearing much on it.
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I am sure both will be bad ass machines, I know the Jiffy is. You are going to run into the same issue with both machines though. you have to keep them set a certain way or all the oil will leak out. keep this in mind if you decide on either. 2 strokes can be a pain but that is one advantage that they hold is that if it tips over in your sled you dont end up with oil EVERYWHERE... ask some of these pro-4 owners, it happens.
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I thought I read somewhere that the Honda engine has a bladder that contains the oil, and it doesn't matter which way you lay the auger the oil won't leak.
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I bought the Jiffy propane last season and love it. Like above said starts right up every time 200+ holes on one cylinder. Can't wait to get it out. It's my first power auger, I never wanted to mess with the mess of gas. Was looking at the electric ones when I found the propane, ordered it right the and have no regrets.
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Thanks. I just went and bought one. Looking forward for the chance to use it.
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