??DIRT AUGER??

[Indiananimal]

Anybody ever tried it on ice? Harbor Freight has a dirt auger for $199. i figured if it can cut through gravel and clay and hard ground than it can cut through ice. and they have a warranty. Just wonderd wat everyone thought or is this just a stupid question. My buddies dad has one and we thought it might make are backs hurt a little less after drillin holes and sittin on a bucket all day.   

[Junior58]

The general consensus is that Harbor Freight stuff is junk. I wouldn't waste $199 on it when you can get a entry model Eskimo Power auger for like $30 bucks more. You'd also have to see if they made ice blades for the Harbor Freight auger. Don't waste your money IMO ........

[fordkisskrazy]

I'd stay away from it, look around if you really want 1. Like Junior58 said you can get a Eskimo for just alittle more. also look around for used ones. I found a Eskimo barracuda auger at a pawn shop, 10" and 8" augers for $100.00 bucks. Good luck to ya and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours

[Rebelss]

Have to agree with both these guys...JUNK!!! Run away! Run Away!!!! No razor sharp ice blades on an earth auger...you'd end up using it for a spud! 

[esox_magnum]

Dirt and ice blades are different, I agree run run away.

[Indiananimal]

thanx for the heads up guys! Man i love this site lol

[johnsaredneck]

I use a dirt auger. Made by earth quake. I bought a 10" ice auger bit and put it on the engine head. It is not as light as a ice auger, but does work just fine. I'm thinking about replacing it with a propane powered auger, no more gasoline on my hands.

[Fishrmn]

I use a dirt auger. Made by earth quake. I bought a 10" ice auger bit and put it on the engine head. It is not as light as a ice auger, but does work just fine. I'm thinking about replacing it with a propane powered auger, no more gasoline on my hands.

 

Earth Quake augers are made by Ardisam, the same corporation as Eskimo.  The bits and blades are different, but they can be swapped out.  But anything at Harbor Freight is, in my opinion, designed to be used once and thrown away.

Fishrmn

[Chitown]

Not saying it would work for ice fishing but my buddy does a lot of qdma at his land and we planted 250 trees and it worked great

[Layne]

I use a Tanaka 350 with a modified 10" mora lazer on it and it cuts amazing, earth augers have some serious torque.

[Kevin23]

An earth auger will work fine, but may be hard to start in the cold! You will need an ice auger bit for it, an earth bit won't cut ice.

[dsqui]

so i got the local menards add on sunday and went and checked it out today.. they have earthquake power earth augers on sale right now for 179 for the e43.  this looks like the exact same head off of the mako m43 ice auger and its almost half the price.  looking at the specs online they look identical the only thing i found different is eskimo claims its a cold weather motor where as earthquake doesnt specify but how different could they really be. i know its the same exact company makin them. does anyone have any knowledge of these two different yet identical power heads???

[JimQ]

so i got the local menards add on sunday and went and checked it out today.. they have earthquake power earth augers on sale right now for 179 for the e43.  this looks like the exact same head off of the mako m43 ice auger and its almost half the price.  looking at the specs online they look identical the only thing i found different is eskimo claims its a cold weather motor where as earthquake doesnt specify but how different could they really be. i know its the same exact company makin them. does anyone have any knowledge of these two different yet identical power heads???

They work great with a few modifications. 

I replaced the powerhead on my Strikemaster 8" 224 with an E43.



Here's more info on what was required to make it work well.

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=267106.msg2754608#msg2754608

Q

[carcus1]

I use a Tanaka 350 with a modified 10" mora lazer on it and it cuts amazing, earth augers have some serious torque.

Sure does, thats what I'm using, also couldn't resist buying a efco earth auger when baileys had them on for half price, I've used it with the mora and a eskimo flyte, its almost as nice as the tanaka but not as refined as the Japanese made tanaka. It seems buying a earth auger power head is the way to go!