solo auger help needed.

[793bob]

is anyone else having problems with there solo auger running.mine ran great for the first two times and after letting it sit for 2 weeks it won't run.it just dies at idle and full throttle it will run for about 20 seconds and die.

[&JAG]

Surprised by the idle problem... I would call big lake and ask the shop, they will fix you up.The recoil is a grease issue, they have addressed this on FM and you tube has a quick fix video. As easy as WD-40 spray fix.

[hdspringer]

The recoil problem is very common and I hear strike master has an ez fix for it, not sure what it is, but you should contact them and find out. They know about the problem.

[hdspringer]

Just found the link for the recoil fix, there is a video on their site, very ez fix. You can't beat Strike Masters Customer Service.

[no bait nate]

You cannot expect everything to be perfect the first year a company moves to a new engine, when nobody has put them through the hard wear of an avid ice angler. The idle problem surprises me but I guarantee strikemaster will help you find the right solution. They recoil issue has been well addressed by them and is a super easy fix (which i did in about 5 mins) and now it works great. strikemaster is a great company with great customer service, and my Solo is awesome!

[&JAG]

Edit...

[gunning]

First time out it ran great!! Took it out tonight and had that recoil problem happen to me, and it ruined my day of fishing had to go home and try to fix it with out even drilling one hole. Watched the "easy" fix video on their web-site, well it wasn't so easy because it still won't retract all the way in. I should have known better to buy a first year motor, there always seems to be some little issues when fishing companies come out with a new or revamped products. Always thought strikemaster had good augers but this really sucks! Sounds like even if you do spray some WD40 it isn’t an end all fix. I don’t really know what I’m going to do hopefully I can take it back to the chain store that has a really good return policy, but I don’t know if I want to go with another solo strikemaster, right now.

[DTro]

I'm sure someone with a Ice Gator would be more than willing to trade you straight up.

I'd be surprised by that.

[jwmiller33]

I've been drilling with Strikemaster power augers for 15 years and their hand augers all my life. It's too bad you see a five minute fix as such a huge deal. I myself have never ever had a problem with my gas augers (2). I'm sure someone with a Jiffy or Ice Gator would be more than willing to trade you straight up.

a five minute fix, everytime your out on the ice, everytime you need to drill a hole, in below zero weather IS a pain in the butt.

have tried the WD 40 thing and as gunning said, it is not an end all fix

i can understand some minor problems with this being the first yr with the new engine, but last time i checked, the recoil is not a part of the engine, is it?

[793bob]

i've bought 2 strikemaster augers in the past three years and i'm 0 for 2 .the first one the pitch was wrong on the flighting because it was made in china and jammed all the time in the hole now this one won't run.you would think with 40 years of engine experiance that this wouldn't happen.

[DrKen]

Was out on mille lacs today with my new Solo. I had already had the recoil fixed and that was absolutely no problems today. At first it did not want to run strong and actec like it was running out of gas and I found out that the tank vent tube had pressed up against the cap and was blocked by the cap. This meant the tank was not venting. Pushed it back into the tank and had no problems the rest of the day. Drilled about 25 holes, stopped and started the auger maybe 10 times with no problems and she cuts fast. Gonna take some time for us to wring out all the tweaks needed for this machine but very happy so far.

[793bob]

gonna try that too.thats how my is acting.

[&JAG]

Bummer, I would contact Strikemaster and tell them about the recoil w/ spray doesn't fix it. I'm sure they will get you taken care. Believe me I do feel bad for you and want you to enjoy the Solo power!

[jwmiller33]

i will state that when the strikemasters ARE up an running, they cut ice faster then any auger i have used before and they are very nice augers...

its just very disappointing to buy a new product and have it act like a used one

[calli4120]

Im in the market for an auger right now and am leaning towards Stickmaster. Are these problems all across the board with their new augers or is it limited to one line of them?

If you guys that have posted could please add what model and maybe even hole size you are having problems with maybe we can find a pattern and figure out which one to stay away from.

Even though SM has great customer service and an "easy" fix video on youtube, if I buy something brand new in the box, I shouldn't have to take it apart and fix it within a week or 2 of making the purchase.

[793bob]

i think i figured mine out .i only had 1/3 tank of fuel left in the tank when it started acting up.fill it up now it runs fine.the fuel filter must be sitting high.but i find it's not the easiest auger to start.how times are you fellows priming your augers on cold start up.

[DrKen]

I think I primed mine the first time on sunday and then we drove to a different spot and didn't prime again. When I have started it at home I seldom prime it. As long as there is gas in the priming bulb try starting with just the choke. You might be flooding it a little.

[793bob]

i tried mine tonight without priming.took a good 10 pulls before it fired up and quite a few after to get it going.the instructions say to prime it 5 to 8 times that seems to flood it.i have the 3hp.

[DrKen]

Mines the 2.5 hp. This weekend it was about 3-4 pulls on choke and then 1-2 pulls with choke off and she was running. Let it warm up a minute or so and then off and running. Drills like a son of a gun. So far so good for me. Maybe I'm just lucky.

[gunning]

So I do have to say strikemaster CS is top notch! I called them yesterday and I already received a new recoil today. They also said if I want, I can send them the broken recoil they will fix it and send it back so I can have a spare, sounds pretty good to me.

[jwmiller33]

i think its kind of funny how there are FIVE threads right now on the first page of this forum dedicated to some type of problem with the strikemasters... looks like a lot of people are having problems with them.

EDIT: MAKE THAT SIX! counted wrong

[Craigums]

i think its kind of funny how there are FIVE threads right now on the first page of this forum dedicated to some type of problem with the strikemasters... looks like a lot of people are having problems with them.

EDIT: MAKE THAT SIX! counted wrong

back to 5, mine was just bad gas. Mixed a new batch and it runs like a champion

[Whopper Stopper]

I went to the lake this morning and on the second pull the rope came out. I called strikemaster and then made the 45-minute rid to big lake. I was in and out in less then ten and Mike sent along another recoil just to make sure. Yes the recoil problem is frustrating but man does that auger cut now. I certainly can't fault strikemasters customer service, others could learn from them.

WS

[Pary]

Had the same problem also.... Brought it to the shop i got it from and they fixed it for free (under warranty). Of course they had to order a new one from SM. Runs like a champ now!