Ice Gator 9 1/2"

[Tbone9]

Just looking for owners of the Ice Gator with the 9 1/2" bit. Looking for reviews. Seems like a nice auger.

[stinkyfingers]

Tbone-- I went back and looked at their website after reading your post. That certainly looks like a beast of an auger and at 25 pounds not as heavy as I would have expected. They had some service issues 3-4 years ago but I believe they got past them. At least everything I've read recently is positive. I've got a 4 year old Attacker 24v Li-ion power unit which they don't sell any more. It's mounted over an 8" Lazer with the ripper teeth and will out-drill anything I've met. No doubt that 9-1/2" unit is just as fast even though you're burning through about 40% more ice.
  My advice would be to take counsel with yourself and ask why you feel you need a hole that big. Also ask yourself if you really need to burn through ice at 2 inches per second. It's like owning a car that'll go 0-60 in 4.5 seconds when you really just need to drive to the store. If the answers are yes then by all means, treat yourself. Life is short.
Stinky

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Doesn't look like many happy people on Ice Gator's face book. I understand regardless of the company people will have complaints, but Usually a company doesn't have this many upset customers and stay in business.

I'm sure it's not a bad product, I looked into one a year or so ago. I decided against buying one since the customer reviews on service and support were pretty unfriendly to say the least. For the kind of money being spent on one of the units I didn't care to gamble on lucking out with getting a unit that wouldn't need service down the road.

[Tbone9]

Lol. Great advice. I see Sheels is selling the Gator head mounted on a Nills 8" bit. Wonder why they don't offer the 9 1/2" Gator bit as well. I used to have a 9" auger and it was nice to have the extra room for the transducer that's all.

[Tbone9]

(Image removed from quote.)

Doesn't look like many happy people on Ice Gator's face book. I understand regardless of the company people will have complaints, but Usually a company doesn't have this many upset customers and stay in business.

I'm sure it's not a bad product, I looked into one a year or so ago. I decided against buying one since the customer reviews on service and support were pretty unfriendly to say the least. For the kind of money being spent on one of the units I didn't care to gamble on lucking out with getting a unit that wouldn't need service down the road.


Wow. That ain't good.

[ran7ger]

 lots of reports filed with the BBB.  i had one of the first icegators up here in canada and it was fantastic...until i had to repair the whole damn thing myself after just about breaking a wrist, and not being able to get a return phone call because they were at a church picnic.  too bad, it could be a great product if they had just sold off the idea.  there used to be lots of negative posts on here that have since been deleted as icegator was a site sponsor. 

 mine now sits in a box in the closet while i rip through ice with my m18 fuel drill and finboreIII.  at least the gator batteries get used to run my trail cam.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

lots of reports filed with the BBB.  i had one of the first icegators up here in canada and it was fantastic...until i had to repair the whole damn thing myself after just about breaking a wrist, and not being able to get a return phone call because they were at a church picnic.  too bad, it could be a great product if they had just sold off the idea.  there used to be lots of negative posts on here that have since been deleted as icegator was a site sponsor. 

 mine now sits in a box in the closet while i rip through ice with my m18 fuel drill and finboreIII.  at least the gator batteries get used to run my trail cam.

Yeah wasn't a bad product Idea, but now with the clam plate, Ion, & strikemaster electric heads out and some other various brands I would say Ice Gator is going to have an extremely tuff time if the terrible customer service continues.

[Shack man Shoney]

Boy Im glad they didn't return any of my emails about pricing..... For once I chose wisely since I was ready to buy one.

[stinkyfingers]

Reading through these posts make me wonder if you'd ever be able to buy one even if you wanted to. I've talked to those people a number of times in the past. It's just a two person operation. Wife does the books. Husband is the pointy head engineer who designed and builds the units. Good Christian couple but haven't got the foggiest notion of even basic customer service. Nice folks but dreamy. The machines are top notch but maybe not worth the brain damage involved to buy one. I'll be running a Fuel drill over a Nils bit this winter and maybe drag out the IceGator only if the ice gets over a couple feet.
Stinky

[Chris338378]

If any of you paid them and haven't received you auger, I'd get on the phone with the credit card company or bank and file a fraud claim to get your money back.  Also you can and probably should file a complaint with the police and the state's attorney general's office since this would be a theft case.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

If any of you paid them and haven't received you auger, I'd get on the phone with the credit card company or bank and file a fraud claim to get your money back.  Also you can and probably should file a complaint with the police and the state's attorney general's office since this would be a theft case.

I never bought one, or even know anyone who did. Just looking on Face book and reading the post of customers with the problem and other issues turned me off instantly. Just looking at post if even a tenth of them are true, I believe some people are doing what you say.

[Chris338378]

That's good that you didn't get ripped off and hopefully no one else did but odds are someone did.

[DR.SPECKLER]

it looks like the ice gator rips a hole in the ice way faster than any battery powered auger out on the market today.but from everything ive read over the years about quality and customer service has kept me far away.

[jbird68]

I bought an ice gator when the 8" version first came out. I haven't had any issues with mine at all. Except one of the long thumb screws that keep the plates together backed out and got lost. I didn't even notice it until the next year. I emailed them and they sent my out a couple screws free of charge. Only thing I don't like is the weight... 32 pounds. The lighter lithium batteries won't fit my original designed gator. I'm still happy with it because it rips through ice like it's butter.

[jethro]

Boy Im glad they didn't return any of my emails about pricing..... For once I chose wisely since I was ready to buy one.

Yep, they ignored my emails too... dodged a bullet.

[Tbone9]

With all of the negativity and not being sure if the battery option is right for me I'm out. I just bought a demo 2 1/2 hp. Power head for my lazer. Looked at the four stroke but that's not right for me either. I don't wanna wait for it to warm up, besides I like to carry my auger on its side from hole to hole while it's running especially with the extension on it. Can't do that with the four stroke. This way I'll use old smokey for a spare. Kinda partial to the two stroke. No warm up time, no charging batteries, and can carry on its side. Throw it in the back of the truck and use again the next day. With all of the auger options there's something for everyone now days.

[lunkerslayer]

Hello, everyone first post for this forum and seen post on Ice gator. Well I own a Ice Gator with the 9.5" bit, I did only get to use it for only a few weeks last winter all though it does cut exceptionally well with 4 razor sharp blades. The duel flitings are what really make this auger the best on the market. The bit would actually make any other auger much more effective it deep ice. I don't know what's happened to Greg and ice gator but I am very fortunate to have been blessed to get one when many did not. I hope he gets things straightened out so he can save his business success because there is no other auger on the market. Also no the ion is not the first high performance electric auger on the market that would be the original Ice Gator

[Tbone9]

Thank you for your first hand review. From the videos the Gator looks like an amazing auger. I agree, hopefully things straighten out for them. Maybe someday I'll own one but for now I'll keep breathing exhaust.

[djlangen]

I own a 24v lithium ion ice gator. Love the auger and the speed which it rips through the ice . However, I recently had a problem with the battery charger, and since my e-mails for a new one went unanswered, I decided to jump ship and buy a demo Solo 2 1/2 HP powerhead for my 6" Lazer instead. I called all the listed Ice Gator dealers on their website, and was told by one that the company had recently gone out of business.
If anyone has an extra and/or unused 24v lithium battery charger lying around, I would gladly take it off your hands.

[ErnieLearns]

Ice gator I bet is not making their own batteries.  I would look hard on the web or Amazon for a different charger.

[lunkerslayer]

ErnieLearns, you are correct any 24 lithium charger will work, just have to make sure it is a 24 volt lithium charger.
Also there are few things that I would change on the gator unit:
 1, the handles design is not ergonomically friendly to anyone who you doesn't like to wear gloves. The notches could be a little closer together or tapered on the top and bottom of the handle to allow hand to cup around the handle.
2, the flitings on the smooth shaft on the bit does not allow for you to use the reverse because the top flighting the one that has the stainless steel clam doesn't tighten adequately to keep the flightings from sliding up the aluminum shaft, but that has no effect in the performance of extraction of ice shavings because of the dual design flitings. So when you pull the bit out it cleans the hole of shavings for you.
3, I would find a brushless motor instead of the heavy out dated motor now that does have brushes. The brushless motor is much more efficient as well as lighter. You probably save at least a couple pounds in weight with a brushless motor. If the motor ever goes to crap that will be what I will do out in a brushless motor.
These are only my opinions of course that have no bearing on the drill itself because and how it works as designed my Greg and ice gator.
This is how good Greg was to me he always answered my calls or emails when I needed to call him. He shipped the powerhead first because of the concerns I may of had with getting my purchase. When he didn't have the flightings yet for his bits he sent me a eight inch bit instead out of his pocket for expenses to use until the bit could be sent to me. Greg is a wonderful man to me he went above and beyond in customer service to me for some reason which I am very grateful and blessed.
Thank you Greg and I hope you the best God bless you and your family
No I am not paid to write this post by Greg or anyone else this is my opinion and no one else.

Also how can I post pics of the unit on here

[OldSailor]

I own a 24v lithium ion ice gator. Love the auger and the speed which it rips through the ice . However, I recently had a problem with the battery charger, and since my e-mails for a new one went unanswered, I decided to jump ship and buy a demo Solo 2 1/2 HP powerhead for my 6" Lazer instead. I called all the listed Ice Gator dealers on their website, and was told by one that the company had recently gone out of business.
If anyone has an extra and/or unused 24v lithium battery charger lying around, I would gladly take it off your hands.

 If, in fact, Ice Gator HAS gone out of business, I think that fact needs to be confirmed and posted on this site!! Seeing as how the are a sponsor and the fact that some members do own them! The whole history of Ice Gator has been one of terrible customer service!!  That's too bad because some people report amazing performance with ones that work right! That seems to be a crap shoot!! So post any information on them going belly up! It would be nice if they were bought by someone with good business abilities and funding!!

[lunkerslayer]

Icegator website has been taken down, man this sucks I hope someone buys his patent so I can buy some more flitings

[OldSailor]

Icegator website has been taken down, man this sucks I hope someone buys his patent so I can buy some more flitings

Their website is gone and they aren't on the sponsors section of our homepage either!! Bummer.....

Edit.. BBB lists them as out of business. Click on alert!

http://www.bbb.org/toledo/business-reviews/tools-cutting/icegator-in-edgerton-oh-90082562

[largemouth]

No responses on their Facebook page for months and there are plenty of very angry people on there that have paid for units and haven't received anything.

[FISHFORPIKE]

Had to have been a very difficult decision for Greg and his family.  I'm sorry for them.   

[largemouth]

Yea, it's not a good situation. I feel sorry for all of the people that sent him money and never got what they paid for, and now aren't getting any response.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Yea, it's not a good situation. I feel sorry for all of the people that sent him money and never got what they paid for, and now aren't getting any response.

I agree with you. However, if any of the customers would have looked into things there were plenty of warning signs about the company from the begining to the end.

[69396al]

Any one out there no where a guy can get the plastic flighting for the Icegator 9.5 in auger? I know they went out of business but someone must make the auger I would think. I caught mine on the floor of the fish house last weekend and the floor won. Love the Icegator just wish we could get parts. Needle in a hay stack!