Yellow Compression Button on a Strikemaster

[rusty rapala]

I started my auger yesterday and it was extremely hard to pull. Gas was shooting out of the compression hole with each pull. I finally got it started and it ran fine. My question is, should the yellow comprssion be pushed in during storage or pulled out? I think the gas pressure built up with the 100+ degress the other day. Thoughts?

[brian6715]

The button should always be pushed in when starting in order to relieve the high compression in the cylinder! It will occasionally pop out if the motor fires when trying to pull start it, so you have to keep an eye on it and make sure it stays pushed in until it's running

[Eric_Kruger]

like stated it should be fine not pushed in during storage, but if your worried just stop everynow and then and push it in and give the cord a pull to make sure everything is working good....on a side note my compression button is blue lol

I watched a guy at mille lacs last year yank and yank on his auger without even pressing the button. when i asked him about his auger he said it always started tough. He had NO CLUE there was a decompression button on them lol I think it made his life a little easier lol

[Ed Carlson]

Most of them Mysterious Broken Recoils and/or Pull Ropes....are due to people not fallowing the instructions properly, or forgetting to decompress, or unaware it's even there to push.

[McGurk]

Most of them Mysterious Broken Recoils and/or Pull Ropes....are due to people not following the instructions properly, or forgetting to decompress, or unaware it's even there to push.

I beg to disagree with you on that, as I have a SM w/ the decomp tecumseh engine and have religiously used the decomp button from day 1. Yet, I had 3 separate instances of recoil issues and I WAS using the button to start. My problems weren't with the initial start, but with kickback after the button pushed back out during failed starting, or from shutting it off with the on/off switch, with occasionally resulted in kickback that would strip the recoil pulley shaft or snap the pulley off of the top case completely. I separately had both of those issues personally.

I can't talk about the current ones, but the 5 yr old ones with higher compression, tighter rings, and the decomp button for starting, but without the beefed-up recoil pulley and new top case that it attaches to would snap pretty easily. SM's fix was to have larger "dogs," a stronger recoil pulley, and a larger diamater shaft on the case for the pulley to atach to. I documented it a few times here, and one can search for themto see what I am talking about. As far as I could tell, it was limited to a short run of the new-at-the-time decomp button powerheads.

SM will probably take care of you if either of those scenarios are on your auger, and D-Rock was very helpful with my needs. They did say to shut off your auger with the de-comp button to elimate kickback, and I have found it to be true.

[Ed Carlson]

I agree and there were issues on the recoils and dogs. They will be beefed up for sure as it's a costly hassle for the manufactures to deal with the damaged returned ones at the retail and customer level.

I can't tell you how many broken recoils and pull cords I see yearly brought back to the retail...lots of them...and when I walked through the proper starting procedure...they had no clue the button was there and/or what it did or why it needs to be used.

I make a point to walk them through it at the time of a new ice auger sale..and suggest to read the manual first....and often it's "Ya-Ya-Ya...I know what I'm doing."....and they don't...they bring it back messed up and say..."It's Junk". I have a callus on my lip from biting it...just from this.

My main point being, many folks just don't read there owners manuals, and they should.

[TruthWalleyes]

I've never pushed that yellow button when starting... Seems to start better without pressing it. Though i start in WOT and Full Choke.

[Pooh]

never used my decomp button either

[RiverFish]

McGurk,

Is there a reference (manual/HSOforum) that discusses using the decomp button to shut off the auger. I run a SM and have never heard of doing that. Am I one of those guys who does not read his manual?

[McGurk]

It was actually told to me by a service guy at D-Rock when I was in there, and it is not written down in any manual that you would have gotten with the auger. You simply push it in while it is idling. It isn't hot if you just hit the yellow button. The only reason it may not stop is if the rings aren't seated (it a new or rarely used auger).

[harvey lee]

I always use the button and have no issues starting.

In regards toi the recoil, for me, I have had issues with just about every brand as I pull the rope out way o far.

Now I tell myself not to do that.

maybe its due to the fact I have longer arms.

[harvey lee]

Here are the starting instructions for a SOLO. It does state to use the decomp button.

You hit the nail on the head Ed.

http://www.strikemaster.com/newsletters/dec29_techtip.html

[Northlander]

I always thought having to have a decompression button on a auger was silly.

[harvey lee]

They work better and it's simple to use.

All I know is that my SOLO is the fastest drilling auger I have ever owned period. I have no issues using this button. many motors like this use them.

[Northlander]

Harvey Frank or someone must be sharpening your blades extra special because I have yet to have a strikemaster beat my Nils. Oh and my nephews car is faster than yours and my dad can out drink yours. I also wear a bigger boot. LOL.

If you get up my way lets go fishin.

[harvey lee]

You know I used a Nils for years and they are a very good auger. The Solo seems to be just as good as the Nils to me.

Yes, we should so out fishing.

[BehindtheHead]

i beleve nils is a faster augar by milla seconds but i will stick with my solo because it leaves a cleaner hole. just my opinion.

[Steve Foss]

I can't believe people still argue about which auger drills holes faster. Ice fishing isn't drag racing. It's fishing. If it matters to a person that their auger finishes the hole .01 seconds faster than their buddy's auger, it's drag racing.

Yeah. I know, I know. The elementary school playground is alive and well in the fishing world.

[harvey lee]

FYI Steve, Nortlander and I are simply playing with each other and not arguing over what is faster.

Gotta lighten up there Fossy as it is just fun amonst a few friends. Maybe too long at the playground for you.