Older Jiffy's vs newer Jiffy's

[Hesperus]

I had a Jiffy model 30 back in the late 80's and I really think this machine was the bomb.  It would spin a guy around the hole if not careful.  The blade system was decent and the cut was fast.  We'd cut holes in 1/4 the time that guys were cutting across the lake.  Unfortunately my Ex sold it on me.

So getting back into it I wanted a good auger, yet light weight so I went with the STX Pro a couple of years back.  I really like the aggressive cutting style and blade life, but have to question the gear choice.  The std models are 12:1 and my pro is 15:1.  Personally I think they should be more like 20:1.  The drill cuts like a mean machine, but you have to hold it back for fear of stalling the motor/clutch.  The Strikemaster etc don't have the aggressive blades like the Jiffy, but seem to cut very well and also seem to run at or close to governed RPM

I wonder what the gear ratio was on the old ones?  Did Jiffy change the gearing or did this all come up when the new cutter system was released?

 

[fishingguy]

I have the same bogging down problem, it seem to want to bite off more than it can chew.
The blade needs to turn slower with more torque.
I miss my 30.

[Roccus]

 I bought a STX pro( 2hp) the first year they came out, wanting a lighter model ( I sold my 15 year old jiffy 30) it seemed to be a great idea....

Mine was trouble right out of the gate... i swear it was made on a Friday afternoon before some ones vacation with spare parts... starting it was a major issue... also, the throttle stop, which controled the governed speed never was set...the screw was only turned in  a few threads,stretching the spring too tight  allowing the engine to over speed... because it was under warrenty   I took it to a dealer ( I've been a small engine and marine mechanic for over 30 years.. but am not a certified service center by jiffy).. well they claimed it started fine and adjusted ( so they said) the govener.. it started fine  IF IT WAS IN THE HOUSE ALL NICE AND WARM.. .. I suffered with it most of the season with hard starting, bogging down until one day it would not run...or stay running.. back to the dealer... warm shop ran fine... long story short, I bought a carb my self and replaced it, re set the governed speed ( by adjusting is until the govenr controlled the throttle as i cut) and it cuts and runs like a champ.. rarely bogging down even in 2' of ice.. my only complaint now is if there are layers of ice then slush then more ice, the extra cutting teeth at the point  clog up and it spins away, requireing removal from the hole, a clean out and then it will cut fine... it just goest to prove changing just for change is not always a good thing...at least the motor is a Techumseh and I have plenty of spare part.. I'm not sold on the newer chinese made motors..

[Hesperus]

You wouldn't happen to remember what carb model you used would you?  Do you recall what is Governed speed?  Apparently they still used a wind vane style.  I'd have though that they would do a limiting coil?  Were you into yours enough to see what would be involved with bumping the timing a bit?

Mine has somehow started to fire up with what seems like throttle stick which I need to look into also.

I sure wish Husqvarna or Stihl offerred a practical powerhead to turn this drill.

[Roccus]

  I do have the part number at the house... yes they use a wind vane,,, part of the adjustment process is to be sure that the throttle linkage pushes the throttle butterfly closed... as they do not use a return spring on the carb... also the govener  spring has an inhrant problem of popping off the throttle linckage... a dab of two part/5 minute  epoxy on a tooth pick will secure  it in place... the timing is static.. there is no advavance.

[Hesperus]

I haven't found  a carb that is adjustable yet.

Not really sure mine is "bad" as it starts and runs decent, just lacks power.

I wonder if a guy can get the main jet out and back in w/o destruction?  I have a buddy with pins and drills for carb work and could possibly just clean up the fit of the jet to a common pin size.

[Hesperus]

What is the governed speed supposed to be?

Mine runs about 8,000 on my tach.  I found mine to be adjusted way out to a point of non contact.

[Core]

I bought a 3hp Jiffy about 8 years ago. Thing ran great, cut quickly and never had a major problem getting it started. Then life changed and I didn't have time to go fishing anymore so I sold it to a good friend. To this day the thing runs like a top. Another friend of mine bought the same jiffy the same year, and that thing will not stay running between holes. On the last outing, one guy had to hold the drill, and another guy had to keep pressing the primer button so the thing wouldn't die. It is terrible.

Last year, life changed again, and I went back to buy another auger. Found out that Tecumseh no longer made the powerheads. Looked at the new design, and wondered why the hell any brand would go to a plastic gear case. New engine seemed like it should be fine at first glance. So I was skeptical, but I bought it anyway, as I had good experience with Jiffy before.
We took this thing out on the water the next day, and not only did we have trouble getting it running, the gearcase sounded like it was going to explode at any minute, and I've never seen a warmed up drill bog down and stall and sputter while drilling a hole. We returned it the next day.

I am really dissapointed with the 'new' jiffy augers. I think they really took a step backwards. I have heard nothing good about them from local guys. The only place I hear positive things about them is online, where guys are feverishly trying to justify that the crap auger they bought is actually good. I won't be going back to Jiffy. The 'old' tecumseh versions were good. These new 'Made in the USA' versions are garbage.

[DR.SPECKLER]

i have a old jiffy and a brand new jiffy and niether one has given me any probs yet.my new china jiffy also doesnt have a plastic gear case either..

[backwoodswalker]

As I wrote in earlier post, I have a "one arm bandit" so old the blades are not replaceable, Thing runs and cuts like a champ. Have a 15 year old model 30 that runs great. If I ever need another or need to recomend to a friend, Hunt up a older model 30 in good shape and make sure carb has 2 adjustment screws ( high and low speed) and enjoy it the rest of your life. New jiffys are junk    Steve

[Lifeguard]

I had an old one armed bandit with the permanent blades as well.  Sold it almost 4 years ago for $140 and bought an Eskimo Stingray.  Now I am not sorry I bought the Stingray for my main auger because it is a superior auger in my opinion, but I wish I would have kept that old Jiffy as a back up/loaner.  The Eskimo is better, but that old one armed bandit was one hell of a machine.

[DR.SPECKLER]

thats what my other jiffy is a 1972 1 armed bandit and i will always have it.my new one is a jiffy sd60i