strike master solo last years model?

[mrpike1973]

hi i got a solo magnum from f/f. it says it has polymer gear casting weight reduction. this years model says it has omnilon super high impact handles. it doesnt say this on the box and the date on the auger is 5 2009 would mine have the new handles or no. just wondering if this was new this year i assumed i bought a new year model?

[BartmanMN]

If I remember correctly the new high impact handles have a shiny "sheer" to them and the previous handles are more "matte" if you will.

Same design, just trying a new formulation in the material to prevent breakage. Don't stand your auger up against your truck allowing it to fall to the ice and you will be fine.

[CJH]

Don't stand your auger up against your truck allowing it to fall to the ice and you will be fine.

+1

I have had mine for 5 years, and the only time the handle broke was when I stood it up in the garage, it slipped and fell on the concrete. That's completely the users fault, or my case, my fault! The handles are fine for "normal" use.

[tsande00]

Correct - the newer handles are a shiny platic or more "sheer" and the older ones more matte.

My guess, based on the dates provided is that MrPike has the older style.

I had the older style but broke them falling down a flight of concrete stairs. SM replaced them free of charge with the newer "shiny" style. The newer handles do appear much stronger and held up against falling off the snowmobile and bouncing across solid ice at 20+ mph. Been a tough year for my poor LazerMag.

[fishwater]

Same design, just trying a new formulation in the material to prevent breakage. Don't stand your auger up against your truck allowing it to fall to the ice and you will be fine.

-1

I had a handle break at the bottom of a 10" hole last year. Brand new solo, with maybe 40 holes into it. I have a picture of the handle piece that broke out, the cross section is full of air bubbles; way more than I would have imagined looking at the smooth exterior surface of the handle. My guess is they had a manufacturing issue with the old formulation, had to fix it. I'll dig up a photo of the problem and post it.

[tsande00]

-1

I had a handle break at the bottom of a 10" hole last year. Brand new solo, with maybe 40 holes into it. I have a picture of the handle piece that broke out, the cross section is full of air bubbles; way more than I would have imagined looking at the smooth exterior surface of the handle. My guess is they had a manufacturing issue with the old formulation, had to fix it. I'll dig up a photo of the problem and post it.

That would make sense, but I will say that my broken handle had no air bubbles in it (at least not the broken portion that was exposed). Impossible to tell if any other areas of the handle did without dissecting it.

[fishwater]

Here's a pic of the air bubbles. The ones you see are actually only a small fraction. The break occurred so the majority of the pits were on the part still attached to the auger - Strikemaster has those parts. Almost broke my wrist because of this. I'd want the updated handle if I was using a 10".

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I had the exact same thing happen on the 8", and the bubbles look exactly like that. With the speed of these augers, it is actually fairly dangerous. When my handle broke, it caused the throttle to stick, which was interesting to say the least.

[hamms-scooter]

Had mine since 2006 and no issues with it yet. wish they made a metal replacement handle for it though...

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I have an older Strikemaster 2000 that has been used and abused and never broke a handle. This one made it to the 3rd trip and broke while drilling. I'm sure they'll take care of it. Great company to deal with.

[stumper]

For a little added security, order the handle brace/hanger. REALLY stiffens them up and its a sweet hanger for storage.