Auger trouble

I’ve got a strikemaster 3hp solo lazer pro auger. Few years old but not a ton of use, starting today while out fishing…if I could get it started, the auger bit would spin slowly. Grabbing the shaft by hand to stop/slow it down would bog down or kill the engine. Runs/cuts fine otherwise. After shutting the auger down I could feel resistance in the transmission/clutch system, could push through it though and the bit would turn freely like normal. Anyone had an issue like this?

If the bit is spinning at idle and its idling normally. Most likely a broken clutch spring. I just replaced mine yesterday for that reason. Same exact auger. $20 spring at the local small engine place and 1.5 beer job.

Jake wrote:

If the bit is spinning at idle and its idling normally. Most likely a broken clutch spring. I just replaced mine yesterday for that reason. Same exact auger. $20 spring at the local small engine place and 1.5 beer job.

Yea I did a bit of research and it sounds like a relatively common problem. Only outlier in my experience compared to others is they say that their auger stays “in gear” so to speak. As in the clutch stays engaged, if the clutch is engaged then you shouldn’t be able to turn the shaft by hand when the auger isn’t running. Unless the gear ratio in the transmission is allowing me to turn the shaft and the engines rotating assembly without much resistance.

I’ll take a look at it again tomorrow if I can, maybe take the transmission apart and have a look at the clutch assembly. Already checked with local shop, they’d have to order the right spring. So if that’s the issue…I’ll have to wait till Friday when I’ll have time to go to D-rock or H2 Outfitters and get the spring from them.

Update: got the transmission disassembled, and sure enough, the clutch spring was broken. I’ll run over to D-rock tomorrow and pick up a new spring from them.