ICEHOGGER

[Crappyfisherman]

Well I got my icehogger last week, tried it yesterday with mixed resaults. I think it will work ok for 24" of ice or less but not the deep stuff. Had to drill all the way to the powerhead. Kept bogging down and the top of the chute would fill up with slush and stop the auger dead.Noticed black plastic shavings on the ice from the auger flighting rubbing on the inside of the chute.Only drilled about 60 holes,wonder how long it will hold up? I have a Nils 8" and don't push while drilling.Don't think it has enough power with the hopper on it for the deep stuff.

[Surface Tension]

I got into some real wet ice that was about 30+" thick with 12" of snow.

When the discharge hole on the Hogger got below the snow I had to lift till the chips in the tube exited then continued the cut. If you don't do that the chips will pack in above the discharge and plug everything up.

If I kicked snow away before I drilled and then positioned the discharge to that location when I got close to the ice it would leave me a place to put the chips.

So in the case of thick ice and snow the Hogger has some limitations buy are overcome with a little planning.

I might take the hogger off till the snow is gone but will definitely use it in the perm.

[Crappyfisherman]

Do you really think it is worth it for hole hopping?Seems like a lot more work verses just scooping the hole. I don't try to clean all the ice, just enough to get my jig down. I'm only 5'8" and that thing is a bear to lift out (Nils 8")even without the icehogger.I have a shoulder issue, had surgery on my right shoulder a few years back so its kind of hard to lift. How do you like it for ice 24" or less? Seems like it would work pretty good most of the time.Also have you checked the wear on the inside of the hogger to see what kind of life span is possible? I noticed a some black plastic shavings after drilling. I drill a lot of holes.

[Surface Tension]

I think it is great for hole hopping. Yes it clears all the chips out but you don't end up with a big cone of ice chips around the hole as well. In 24" of wet ice or less I haven't had any problems plugging up. If you clear the hole of chips by keeping the drill rotating after you cut through there shouldn't be any chips left in the tube.

I haven't noticed any wear to the tube. It it possible you have the Hogger to low and its coming in contact with the blade?

I set mine so the top of the flighting is even with the discharge hole.

[DTro]

No problems here either. I don't notice the weight issue or lifting it, but I'm a little taller at 6' though.

I had 30" on Saturday and like Frank said I just cleared it out a couple of times. You should do that anyways even without the Hogger.

You still get a mound of snow, but at least it's all on one side of the hole and like I mentioned before, no wet feet.

I'm not saying it's for everyone, but it does exactly what it claims to.

[Crappyfisherman]

Do you have the top of the flighting even with the bottom or the top of the hole? I have mine 1/3 from the top of the hole. There is about an inch from the bottom of the tube to the cutting head so I know its not hitting the blade.

[Crappyfisherman]

emailed Icehogger this morning and they called me at 8:30. They were very helpful, so were Surface Tension and dtro. Thanks to the three of you for all your help.After taking it apart and putting back together it worked great. Went though 30" with out bogging down and never clogged up once.I lowered the top flighting to just above the bottom of the hole. That gave me about 3" from the bottom of the hogger to the blade. No more shavings no more clogs. Drilled 6 holes as fast as I could. Hope this info helps someone else. This is a great site, I read it everyday and learn something new.Thanks to all you guys you are GREAT!!!

Dan

[DTro]

Good to hear. Yeah I think that how I set mine up too. Just enough room at bottom to change out the blade without having to remove the Hogger.

[Surface Tension]

Good to hear the snowcone machine is working.

Yep I have the top of the flighting about even with the bottom of the hole.

That gives a better depth of cut and not as apt to push chips above the discharge hole.