Stihl Ice Auger

[sr73087]

I just noticed this on the Stihl website. Has anyone ever used their auger bit and power head?

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/augers-and-drills/auger-and-drill-accessories/iceaugerbits/
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/augers-and-drills/planting-auger/bt45ead/
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/augers-and-drills/earth-auger/bt131/

[numbtoes]

Don't know about these but years ago many gas ice augers had the one hand on top and one on a bar coming out like these seem to. When using mine the auger jammed in the ice and the long bar slipped out of my hand. The engine on top kept spinning and quickly twisted my top hand breaking one of the bones in my left hand. The doctors called it a rare "crank start" fracture from the old days when cars were started with a hand crank. I still remember watching the engine spinning around with the bit stuck in the ice. I would not personally buy that design unless they now have a VERY FAST engine shut off.

[erie eyes]

I have sold several of the power units, Very reliable my own is probably 20 yrs old and is still working like new. I have sold only one ice auger bit and customer never got to take it out our season on lake erie was too short and unsafe for him. The auger looked very well built, is made in the USA. Rumor is that we will get a batt powered unit that was being tested in Michigan 2 yrs ago.
,

[erie eyes]

Numbtoes, the bar sticking out the side is a brake lever so if it jambs in the dirt or ice it will stop immediately.

[numbtoes]

Good to hear.

[John_BZ]

Don't know about these but years ago many gas ice augers had the one hand on top and one on a bar coming out like these seem to. When using mine the auger jammed in the ice and the long bar slipped out of my hand. The engine on top kept spinning and quickly twisted my top hand breaking one of the bones in my left hand. The doctors called it a rare "crank start" fracture from the old days when cars were started with a hand crank. I still remember watching the engine spinning around with the bit stuck in the ice. I would not personally buy that design unless they now have a VERY FAST engine shut off.

The ole jiffy one armed bandit

[lefty2053]

In that first link I see 2 different power heads. One that looks like a Chainsaw power head and the other one that looks a lot like the regular power heads.

[erie eyes]

The BT45 is more like a conventional drill, but because of the handle arrangement I would not recommend it, But I have seen pics of someone using one with a ice auger. The current Bt131 would be the right unit but price may hold you back if your only use is ice, A tool that would last a lifetime or 2.

[lefty2053]

https://nenaacehardwaremorton.stihldealer.net/products/augers-and-drills/earth-auger/bt131/ And then buy the Ice bit for it.
https://smithssales.stihldealer.net/products/augers-and-drills/auger-and-drill-accessories/iceaugerbits/ And now you have $1000 after tax not including Shipping.

[DR.SPECKLER]

I would trust a stihl engine to be reliable.their chainsaws run flawless.pricey tho.

[fullThrottle]

It’s only a 27cc probably won’t have the guts to drill an 8 inch hole.

[lefty2053]

27cc wont drill a hole in the ground around my place either. So many rocks under the ground you would think it was a rock quarry. 

[perch chacer]

The 27cc is the small planting auger power head at approx $200 but the large earth auger power head has 36cc at approx $700 but it looks pretty large with the frame. 

[erie eyes]

The bt45 is a 27cc engine, as much as some other auger powerheads. I believe it has enough power, 2 speed choices, just not the right handle arangement. At $500 dollars it is not a good choice.  The bt131 has had the product liability gods guarding it, My bt120 is basically the same thing without all the guarding, But again if you want a machine for all year use it is the unit.