Tecumseh/Solo engines

[gonehunting]

I have a two year old Strikemaster Lazer Mag Express 8" auger. I have contemplated selling it and upgrading to the Solo motor. For those of you that have purchased the Solo is there any advantages to switching? I realize I am still mixing gas and have about the same weight. Are they any quieter, less smokey etc? I am aware of the recoil issue and I feel that this problem has been fixed or can be easily fixed. Thanks for any input.

[JimmyJames]

I would say give it a year or two.I have 2 strikemasters with Tecumsehs, never any problems with.Any problems with yours?

[gonehunting]

Never had any issues. I think it would last along time if maintained properly.

[fisherdog19]

The biggest advantage is the cutting speed. The RPM's at the blade are quite a bit higher on the Solo so it cuts even faster, the added torque helps with any binding or bogging down with lots of slush or drilling in choppy ice.

[Tyler23]

just bought a solo lazer mag today after selling my jiffy. cant wait to give her a try

[brainerdwalleye]

just got the new solo & it rocks...

[slurpie]

If your worried about smoke run amsoil saber 80:1 i switched this year now im switching everything.

[Tyler23]

If your worried about smoke run amsoil saber 80:1 i switched this year now im switching everything.

both jiffy and strikemaster say that like void all warrentys its way to lean. idk why ppl feel the need to run a high rpm 2 stroke motor so lean?

[Esox_Magnum]

Originally Posted By: slurpie

If your worried about smoke run amsoil saber 80:1 i switched this year now im switching everything.

both jiffy and strikemaster say that like void all warrentys its way to lean. idk why ppl feel the need to run a high rpm 2 stroke motor so lean?

Because we can and it works and works well. Don't like it lean don't mix it lean simple as that. My auger is warrentied with 80 or 100-1

[tonkapat]

All of the Tecumseh motors on the lazers are governed. I had one for years and just reached under the tank and grabbed the throttle lever. Why they put a 2hp motor on there and then pooched it so bad is beyond me. My buddy has an old lazer with the throttle hooked directly to the carb. One of the fastest augers ever. No motor issues yet either. Leaky gas caps, the whole gas tank design, unprotected mufflers, oil leaking 4 strokes, a plastic auger bit and the plastic handles have steered me away from strikemaster for good. Yes great customer service, the problem is I needed it way to often. 80 to 1 is more than enough oil for a 2 stroke. Just make sure you are using the correct oil at that ratio. good luck

[Tyler23]

All of the Tecumseh motors on the lazers are governed. I had one for years and just reached under the tank and grabbed the throttle lever. Why they put a 2hp motor on there and then pooched it so bad is beyond me. My buddy has an old lazer with the throttle hooked directly to the carb. One of the fastest augers ever. No motor issues yet either. Leaky gas caps, the whole gas tank design, unprotected mufflers, oil leaking 4 strokes, a plastic auger bit and the plastic handles have steered me away from strikemaster for good. Yes great customer service, the problem is I needed it way to often. 80 to 1 is more than enough oil for a 2 stroke. Just make sure you are using the correct oil at that ratio. good luck

they prolly govern it to keep it from over reving and blowing up? and if 80 to 1 is plenty of oil why to they enginneers say 40 to 1 and no leaner?...besides the new solo motors rip governed or not

[Bigslugger]

Originally Posted By: tonkapat

All of the Tecumseh motors on the lazers are governed. I had one for years and just reached under the tank and grabbed the throttle lever. Why they put a 2hp motor on there and then pooched it so bad is beyond me. My buddy has an old lazer with the throttle hooked directly to the carb. One of the fastest augers ever. No motor issues yet either. Leaky gas caps, the whole gas tank design, unprotected mufflers, oil leaking 4 strokes, a plastic auger bit and the plastic handles have steered me away from strikemaster for good. Yes great customer service, the problem is I needed it way to often. 80 to 1 is more than enough oil for a 2 stroke. Just make sure you are using the correct oil at that ratio. good luck

they prolly govern it to keep it from over reving and blowing up? and if 80 to 1 is plenty of oil why to they enginneers say 40 to 1 and no leaner?...besides the new solo motors rip governed or not

I second how they rip!

[hamms-scooter]

I have a 05 SM mag 2000 8.25 and a 6" lazer auger and they both rip. That chipper blade is great in really cold conditions and on ice that is really slushy on top .Seems like any ice build up on the lazer and it doesnt cut to great. The tecumseh on there runs great and idles forever if i want it to. Lucked out and bought before they tried changing the carbs for emissions.Anyway its great! The only thing i dislike is the plastic handles, i would put metal on in a heartbeat to have the durability factor.

[Esox_Magnum]

You have to remember not all oil is created equal, todays syntheitcs such as Amsoil and Opti are way better than conventional Dyno oil that they recomend. Most quality oil companies would not recomend the ratios they do without proof it works.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but isn't there a claim on the Amsoil site about some sort of warrenty or guenetee of their oil used properly in a motor??

[hamms-scooter]

Esox where can i get this oil? Is it better for all the 2 strokes in the garage as well? I run synthetic in my car and love it but with the 2 stroke i use regular oil looking to switch?

[Esox_Magnum]

With Amsoil ( thats whatI use) 1 mix runs all your 2 strokes no matter what the ratio. I mix at 80-1 and works for everything. I got mine from the Oilman here on the site but found out the parts store across the street now carrys it.

I'm also switching my truck to Amsoil next oil chance, cost per year is the same or a bit cheaper and from what I drive for miles will work out fine, recomended change between 18-24,000 or 1 year.

[hamms-scooter]

would be nice to have one mixture for all the 2 strokes. Is this sabre for the boat too?

[Esox_Magnum]

No Sabers only for the small air cooled 2 stokes not sure whats used in the ouboards, havent switched the old tank yet waiting till I get a new boat to switch.

[eyebjim]

i run amsoil sabre pro in all my small 2 strokes at 100:1 or thereabouts. try to error on the richer side. they run better with a little more power and almost no smoke.

[tonkapat]

The best augers made rev to the moon and have metal handles. Enough said. Esox I switched to amsoil filters and oil in my truck and have seen good results in mileage. Changed it at 15000 and oil was still pretty clean. Good luck

[7outof10]

i use the stirkmaster oil in mine lazer i have been useing that from day one and my auger is 11 years old and have never had a prob with it at all other then a bent shaft but that was my falt NEVER have tuched the crb on it at all just use sea foam in the gas and that is it love it but i think im going to get a new one next year just to try out the new motor

[Tyler23]

if you look in the strikemaster manual. it clearly states that the solo motors should not have sythetic oil ran threw them......

[croixflats]

Strikemaster has realigned there position on that. They say a quality synthetic is ok and wont void warranty if used at 40 to 1.

[Esox_Magnum]

I don't run a Strikemaster, my auger company said to break mine in at 50-1 and after break in up to 100-1 without a problem as long as I used Amsoil or equivalent.

[toughguy]

Tecumseh's start great when cold. I think the jury is still out on the solos starting cold. I've left my ol strikemaster outside on -30 nights and it's fired up on the second pull. If the solos can do that I'm sold. I'll wait a few years before making an upgrate. The speed of the solos looks great.