Jiffy augers

[rowdyredneck]

I've been thinking about buying a power auger for awhile now since drilling through the 20" of ice we've had the past few years is no fun with a hand auger. After doing a lot of research it appeared Jiffy was the most popular choice, so I bought a 8" Model 34 STX Pro from Cabela's.
There were several reasons for my choice...I liked the metal handles, the 3hp engine, and the 5 cutting edges of this model. I also liked that it was made in the USA according to the ads I saw. My first disappointment came shortly after I opened the box and discovered a sticker on the powerhead: Made in China. So much for that...

The other day I figured I would gas it up and make sure it runs before I took it out on the river for the first time. It started fairly easy but almost immediately I noticed a groaning noise coming from the gear box. Strike two...I figured maybe there was a burr on one of the gears and the noise would go away after it ran for a few minutes. I let it run, varying the throttle speed for several minutes. The shaft was turning and everything seemed ok, so the next day I loaded it up and headed out. As soon as I got out on the ice I started it up but noticed right away the shaft wasn't turning. After letting it warm up I hit the throttle and nothing! The engine winds up to full throttle but the auger does not turn at all and I can hear a clanging, jingling noise coming from inside the gear box. You can imagine how embarrassed and upset I felt standing there in front of two dozen other anglers with a shiny new auger that failed on the first try.

Since I bought this at Cabela's I know there won't be any problem exchanging it, but I'm wondering now if it's worth it? For $450 I would expect better, but it never managed to drill a single hole before it broke. Does anyone have experience with this model? Did I just get a lemon or should I get my money back and go with a different brand?

[FISHFORPIKE]

Do a search for recent Jiffy topics on this site.  You will read some interesting stuff.
Thanks for the review, it's what we've been waiting.

[DEADONDYLAN]

my new bought late feb and never got to use till this last weekend 79 stx is doing almost the same thing starts and idles nicely but give it gas to rotate and dies? been calling and e-mailing jiffy for 2 days now don't answer the phone and do not reply to e-mails **censored**?

[Gambler]

Since I bought this at Cabela's I know there won't be any problem exchanging it, but I'm wondering now if it's worth it? For $450 I would expect better, but it never managed to drill a single hole before it broke. Does anyone have experience with this model? Did I just get a lemon or should I get my money back and go with a different brand?

Get a different brand. Don't take another chance.
What if it worked fine this year and crapped out next? You would be left holding the bag on a $450 piece of junk.

[matt_aid]

I just got the same model as you have.  stx 3 horse power, got the 10 inch though


i spent 3 days working her hard and no problems what so ever.

we got 18 inches of ice on some lakes, and it was going through the ice like a hot knife through butter.

those new stx blades are wicked!


too bad about yours.  I got lucky!!

[WYIfish]

I've been thinking about buying a power auger for awhile now since drilling through the 20" of ice we've had the past few years is no fun with a hand auger. After doing a lot of research it appeared Jiffy was the most popular choice, so I bought a 8" Model 34 STX Pro from Cabela's.
There were several reasons for my choice...I liked the metal handles, the 3hp engine, and the 5 cutting edges of this model. I also liked that it was made in the USA according to the ads I saw. My first disappointment came shortly after I opened the box and discovered a sticker on the powerhead: Made in China. So much for that...

The other day I figured I would gas it up and make sure it runs before I took it out on the river for the first time. It started fairly easy but almost immediately I noticed a groaning noise coming from the gear box. Strike two...I figured maybe there was a burr on one of the gears and the noise would go away after it ran for a few minutes. I let it run, varying the throttle speed for several minutes. The shaft was turning and everything seemed ok, so the next day I loaded it up and headed out. As soon as I got out on the ice I started it up but noticed right away the shaft wasn't turning. After letting it warm up I hit the throttle and nothing! The engine winds up to full throttle but the auger does not turn at all and I can hear a clanging, jingling noise coming from inside the gear box. You can imagine how embarrassed and upset I felt standing there in front of two dozen other anglers with a shiny new auger that failed on the first try.

Since I bought this at Cabela's I know there won't be any problem exchanging it, but I'm wondering now if it's worth it? For $450 I would expect better, but it never managed to drill a single hole before it broke. Does anyone have experience with this model? Did I just get a lemon or should I get my money back and go with a different brand?

-
My STX PRO II should be back any day, remember me, I'm the guy that wrote the first review of the new 3500 series engine. My gearbox was making one hellish noise too. I am waiting on mine to get returned.
Jiffy tells us all that over one thousand were field tested last year.  I don't believe that.
I have a 28 year old model 30 that floods once in a while but she still keeps cutting holes. Hang on to the old ones, the new ones are made of "non-metallic materials".
And I wait for mine to come back before the ice melts.

[FISHFORPIKE]

-
My STX PRO II should be back any day, remember me, I'm the guy that wrote the first review of the new 3500 series engine. My gearbox was making one hellish noise too. I am waiting on mine to get returned.
Jiffy tells us all that over one thousand were field tested last year.  I don't believe that.
I have a 28 year old model 30 that floods once in a while but she still keeps cutting holes. Hang on to the old ones, the new ones are made of "non-metallic materials".
And I wait for mine to come back before the ice melts.

I'd say - even if you get that thing back and it is as quiet and cuts twice as fast as a Nils hand auger; it'll because you got "preferential treatment" from the boys at Jiffy.  Just guessing there tho.

[ice dawg]

I'd say - even if you get that thing back and it is as quiet and cuts twice as fast as a Nils hand auger; it'll because you got "preferential treatment" from the boys at Jiffy.  Just guessing there tho.

If it was a Strikemaster you probably would have said it was excellent customer service. I had clutch problems on a four year old Jiffy and they repaired it for me free. I sent them an email and they must have decided to give me "preferential treatment" also, eh? Sometimes it makes a lot of difference if ya do something other than complain on the internet. Nothing against you, but the horse you are beating has been dead for a long time. 

[dkfry]

Fact is Jiffy has had a rock solid auger for a lot of years and they have to keep it up with the new models. There are going to be quirks and odd parts failures here and there thats the way it is. I just don't like some of the stuff I'm hearing about the new stuff. Hopefully Jiffy gets everything sorted out.

[rowdyredneck]

my new bought late feb and never got to use till this last weekend 79 stx is doing almost the same thing starts and idles nicely but give it gas to rotate and dies? been calling and e-mailing jiffy for 2 days now don't answer the phone and do not reply to e-mails **censored**?

Mine doesn't die, the engine runs great and it will wind up to full throttle...but the auger doesn't make the slightest movement. All it does is makes a pinging noise from the gear box like loose parts are floating around.

Get a different brand. Don't take another chance.
What if it worked fine this year and crapped out next? You would be left holding the bag on a $450 piece of junk.

I don't know what brand to get. The things I liked about the Jiffy were the metal handles and the chipper blade with five cutting surfaces. I was very disappointed to find the engine was made in China, not to mention its stunning failure right out of the box. I don't know about the Strikemasters, the plastic handles worry me on those. If it falls on the ice or gets bumped hard enough I'm afraid they will break. Any recommendations? I haven't had time to take it back yet, I've been so far behind with everything I never managed to drive back over to Cabela's for a refund.

[Nor Easter]

Mine doesn't die, the engine runs great and it will wind up to full throttle...but the auger doesn't make the slightest movement. All it does is makes a pinging noise from the gear box like loose parts are floating around.

Your centrifugal clutch fell apart pure and simple. It is made like a cross between a snowmobile primary clutch and drum brake shoes. It uses drum-like shoes (pucks) and counterweights (and return springs) that push the shoes outward to a cup-like drum which is connected to the gears. When they fall apart you get the noises you describe.

Too bad it 'sprung' on it's maiden voyage, hope it works out for you.

[walleyes4*u]

Strikemaster engines are no longer "Made in the USA", made in Germany. Just like everything else in this country (unemployment rate)

[ice dawg]

Strikemaster engines are no longer "Made in the USA", made in Germany. Just like everything else in this country (unemployment rate)

   Engineered in Germany, I'm still waiting for proof that they are made there. Jiffy engine is USA engineered and the blocks are cast in China. There are some great Caterpillar diesel engines that are made in China. I think they are both great augers and am waiting to see how they pan out over the winter. I hope the guys on here that own them will keep the reviews coming. After all, I may gave to buy a new one twenty years from now.   

[esox_magnum]

Get a different brand. Don't take another chance.
What if it worked fine this year and crapped out next? You would be left holding the bag on a $450 piece of junk.

  I prefer the Nils, light fast and quiet and as reliable as it gets.

[rowdyredneck]

I drove back over to the Cabela's retail store to return it today, but no luck. I wasn't aware their return policy is 60 days on gas powered equipment and unfortunately I was only 7 days past. I explained to them that even though I purchased it in mid October I wasn't able to try it out until after the river froze about two weeks ago. I also explained to them how I've been a loyal customer with them for over 20 years and I've spent thousands and thousands of dollars at their store and through catalog orders over the years. But, apparently their return policy is more important than keeping a loyal customer satisfied. I even spoke to the manager but they won't budge even though I'm only a few days past.

So, I guess I'm stuck with the piece of junk now. All I can do is contact Jiffy and hopefully get it repaired or a new one.

[WYIfish]

I drove back over to the Cabela's retail store to return it today, but no luck. I wasn't aware their return policy is 60 days on gas powered equipment and unfortunately I was only 7 days past. I explained to them that even though I purchased it in mid October I wasn't able to try it out until after the river froze about two weeks ago. I also explained to them how I've been a loyal customer with them for over 20 years and I've spent thousands and thousands of dollars at their store and through catalog orders over the years. But, apparently their return policy is more important than keeping a loyal customer satisfied. I even spoke to the manager but they won't budge even though I'm only a few days past.

So, I guess I'm stuck with the piece of junk now. All I can do is contact Jiffy and hopefully get it repaired or a new one.

I sent my defective stx pro II back to Tommerdahl the PR guy, three weeks ago and there's no word on it's where about's.

[dkfry]

I'd pull the motor off the gearbox (seperate where they bolt together) and see if the clutch blew up. I too suspect the clutch probably went but it could be the gearbox. If the clutch blew take pictures and send them to Jiffy. Jiffy better fix the problem for you, if they don't I'd spread your story on many forums on the net.

[rowdyredneck]

I called Cabela's main offices, guess they will still refund it if I ship it to them in Nebraska. I'm still disappointed with the retail store not being more helpful though. Not sure what my next move is, I'll probably use my hand auger the rest of this season and look for something else next fall. I'm interested in seeing how well these new Jiffys hold up after a year out on the ice.