Eskimo auger problems

[I_icefish_in_my_sleep]

Has anyone had a lot of problems with their Eskimo auger recoil breaking all the time? It's plastic housing against metal teeth. Hubby has had to replace it a couple of times now. This time he bought two just in case it happens again. Nice auger if the recoil doesn't break apart. It's all plastic. I told him he should talk to the company and see if they make a metal one. Our weather is awfully cold here, that plastic doesn't stand up to it. We do warm the auger in the house before using it too.

Diana

[Caleb S]

I have one that is about 6 yrs old with the 2hp tecumseh engine and haven't had any issues. I haven't looked at the newer models real close but did notice they don't seem to have the same engine as I have.

[I_icefish_in_my_sleep]

The engine is great, Hubby and son say it goes right in smoothly, no effort. Just a recoil problem. Plastic isn't good in really cold weather. Hubby also noticed, you have to put a bit of tension on the pull first, it locks in the teeth, then pull smoothly or the recoil will break off. Diana

[Caleb S]

It sounds like there might be something else wrong with that auger if it has happened more than once. These things are made to be used in cold weather. Any machine with a recoil requires the rope to be pulled a short distance before it engages but you shouldn't have to do anything special to prevent breaking the recoil under normal conditions.

Which model do you guys have?

[Frozenfoot]

I've had mine for 2 years now and never had a problem, i'll call Ardism and let them know.

[Surface Tension]

Most recoil problems are from the rope being pulled to far out.

End result is a broken rope, broken spring retaining pin, or broken/bent end on the spring.

User short quick pulls on further then to your chest.

Next problem is the dogs become gummed up. They should engage even with a slow pull. Sounds like thats whats happening with yours as you have to give a quick jerk to get the doge to grab.

Remove the recoil assembly and flush out the gunk with any cleaner that'll cut grease.

Another recoil problem is the rope won't retract all the way. Again a build up of crud can do that. If you find after flushing it out and it still won't retract then more then likely you'll need to put more preload on the spring. That is done by removing the handle, you'll have to untie the knot. Hang on to that rope or it might retract into the spool. Once untied hold the spool firm and slip the rope through the assembly. You'll see a notch in the spool. The rope should be in that notch with a few inchs of rope left out. Keeping the rope in that notch rotate the spool against the spring. Go one full turn then slip the rope back through the assembly and see it it retracts like it should. If so put the handle back on and retie the knot.

Through that whole process you'll be mindful of the spring tension and keeping the spool firmly secure in the assembly and that the rope will retract if your not keeping it in control.

[snoozebutton]

If you want to get in touch with Eskimo, here's their info:

http://www.geteskimo.com/

Ardisam, Inc.

1360 First Avenue

Cumberland, WI , 54829

Phone: 800-345-6007

Fax: 715-822-4180

Email: [email protected]

[metro fisherman]

Is it just the rope breaking or a part inside the recoil? If it is the rope 1. Get stronger rope. 2. Put more rope on. 3. Make sure theres no slack before you pull on it.

Maby you could replace the metal teeth with some plastic ones and get a metal housing off a lawnmower or auger.

[I_icefish_in_my_sleep]

The kind we have is the Eskimo 10" auger. Not sure what else is in the name. And he says when he pulls it, he doesn't just yank it. He slightly pulls to feel tension, then gives a smooth pull after that. It works fine if he remembers to do it this way. It's the next season of fishing that he remembers he has to do it that way, after it breaks again. The recoil itself is all plastic, the assembly it sits into is metal, So it's plastic teeth against metal teeth, not that great of design in my opinion. Thanks for the information on the company, may have to write them a letter.

Also, this auger is fairly new, there doesn't seem to be any gunk in it, when the recoil is removed all looks clean.

Thanks for all the great information. Diana

[Blainebob]

I agree, I'd get in touch with Ardisam. I have had mine for 5 years,just had first problem yesterday. Was getting ready to go fishing,wanted to make sure it fired up, little plastic line from prime bulb to carb snapped. Luckily I had some flexible rubber hose that worked better than the OE and was still able to get out fishing. I would have been MAD if it would have happened on the lake.

[I_icefish_in_my_sleep]

Luckily when he snapped the recoil apart this time, he happened to have his old 8" auger in my house. At least it was something to work with and it did start. Hubby was thinking of giving it to our son along with our two person portable, I told hubby you may want to keep the 8" auger just in case. You know!

Nothing worse than getting all set up and the auger doesn't work!

Happy fishing. Diana

[pdk511]

yea, and its not like you can manually do it either...

[I_icefish_in_my_sleep]

Last year when it happened, we first tried to put it back together, well, he had me try because I can do stuff like that, I glued it with some strong stuff and put it together, but it didn't hold, had to order a new one.

[magic_minnow]

omg! I thought this only happened to me?? I got a Eskimo Mako and the recoil has been a major problem. I now carry a small tool box so I can take it apart and coil it back. Ive talked to a few other fisherman and they tell me even though it hasnt happened to them, they feel the recoil is a little weak. You get what you pay for IMO. I know for sure i'm getting a nils, SM or Jiffy next year.

[I_icefish_in_my_sleep]

I was even thinking of the nil hand auger. Sounds like they slice though the ice like butter, and no gas required. I think I could do that.

I don't run the power auger, hubby does that, I can keep my hole pretty open with the strike master heat pump, but that only works good if your out there a while. Hubby got me two of them for Christmas, one isn't working, will have to call the company. They do keep the whole free from ice, and they jig your bait, I shut it off and on so the bait can come to a stop for some of the time, have to take it out if you get a bite.

When the weather is this cold, nothings going to keep the holes open, it's -25 this morning. Yikes!!! Plus the fish aren't hungry either.

Sure Wouldn't even want to start up our Eskimo in this weather, that plastic recoil would have to warm up quite a bit not to break apart. We tried to redo the old recoil, but like I said, the plastic on the inside busted right off, no fixing that.

[Bulldoggr]

I had an eskimo Auger for well over 15 years. Never had a problem with it. In fact I was so happy with Eskimo that I bought the new Z71 Shark this year. I gave the old eskimo to my brother.

I will admit I have not cut a ton of holes with it yet. But I feel I don't feel any lose play in my recoil at all. and I am extremely happy at how fast it cuts through the Ice.

I have to say without a doubt the fastest cutting Auger I have ever seen. It is cutting a 10" hole at that.

But you have me weary on the recoil, so I am paying extreme close attention to it.

But as of right now, no problems as has been my Prior experience of owning one.

[magic_minnow]

As far as the cutting goes, Eskimos cut great! Ardisam does a good job, its just mainly the recoil. I didnt have any other problems with it, just the recoil. Although I DID buy the Shark first and returned it because of the recoil. Maybe it was just a bad unit I dont know. Just a side note, Ardisam Customer Service isnt the greatest.

Sleeping Icefisher: My diagnosis is the cheap plastic parts. I spent hours at Ace hardware trying to find an alternative to the recoil problem. Even had a small engine repair guy look at it, but we didn't come up with anything. I have learned with the eskimos that you have to pull out the recopil a little bit before you start, and you have to "snap" it instead of just pull it. Maybe its just me. Strikemaster Strike-Lite for me next year. Ive been using my buddies Strikemaster Lazrmag and its sweeeeeeeeet!

[I_icefish_in_my_sleep]

Hubby does say this Eskimo cut really nicely, just have to remember on the pull each time. He bought two recoils this last time, different names for each, something about the handles. Hopefully it will continue stay together.

[UMDSportsman]

another eskimo owner here. only problem i have had is it leaks a little gas from the carb area. I haven't taken the time to figure out where yet. I guess it is just a habit of mine to pull out the recoil a little bit until it engages, then give it a pull. I have always done this with anthing that has a pull start.

[I_icefish_in_my_sleep]

maybe he should get in the habit of pulling all recoils like that too, the bad part is he is usually so rough, likes to tighten screws till they break and such. I've tried to tell him, only tighten till it stops then a quarter of a turn, he forgets this important fact most times. lol

I'm sure he will be careful with the recoil if he has to constantly replace it.

[magic_minnow]

Are you maybe puushing the gas bulb too much? I've figured out that you only have to push it once or twice, anymore and you flood the thing.

[UMDSportsman]

could be, i never push it more than twice, and that is when the bulb and the line are only half full of gas (air bubles). It seems like it leaks even when it is just sitting on the shelf. Good thought, i just need to take a good look at it.

[magic_minnow]

either that or check your gas cap. MIne leaked for a while as well and I figured out there was a crack in the gas cap. Replaced it with a Tecumseh gas cap and it fits just fine.

[UMDSportsman]

now that you mention it, I replaced the origional gas cap, the vent screw pulled out (cheap brass insert into plastic mold). I replaced it with the only one that i could find, which was a jiffy one. It is shorter and seems to be fine, but yesterday i noticed that in one place the plastic threads on the gas tank are turned over a little bit, maybe not quite the right threads. of course they don't tell the specs on everything on their websites (threads). Maybe i should order a new one from ardisam.

[magic_minnow]

That might be the problem. I slammed my suv door on the gas cap and it broke the little vent screw. The Tecumseh gas cap should fit flawlessly. I found it at a local bait shop for 15 bucks.