Glide-Lite Fabrication for Auger

With plans on some up coming trips to the ice which will require some long hikes, the need to down size and get rid of the shack in tow were first priority. The Glide-Lite from StrikeMaster was all the sled I needed for the gear but how was I going to be able to take the power auger without having to carry it?

After putting some thought into it, this is what I was able to come up with.

1 inch water pipe, 2 pieces cut to length at 2inches, 2 uprights cut to 3.5inches and a riser cut to the length of 16inches which fits into the drain hole in the tray of the sled.

A goal post pattern was made using 2 elbows and a T.

After the pieces were glued together the riser was adjusted so the auger tilted forward just a tad and a hole was drilled for a bolt to be used as a stopper with a piece of chain to be used to hook one end of a bungee strap. A hole was drilled into one of the elbows for the other end of the bungee.

By going through the handles of the powerhead with another bungee, both ends were hooked to the backside of the bucket handle (the handle must be pointing forward). The ears on the auger handle (used for protection when setting the auger down) catch on the lid, and with a slight tilt forward the powerhead stayed in place on the bucket when tied down.

With the wife shaking her head while watching me, a test run was made in the back yard. My concern was stability…….not a concern anymore Not that the auger will stay put if you plan on being a mountain goat but, the auger stayed in place while pulling it over snow piles and with a few evasive maneuvers during the test run. I have all the faith the auger will ride just fine with every day use on the ice.

Can’t wait for the first real run ….if it works out the way I anticipate….she may even see a little black paint

Not being able to get on the ice this weekend, it was still fun to regroup and fabricate today. That along with watching Off the Beaten Path for Rainy Lake Walleyes kinda put me on the ice today anyways

It was fun having some time on the hands

Good luck fishing people

I’d have to say right on! What a great design.

Great Plan Bret!!

Only true “Ice Guys” would put so much time and effort into it. I guess maybe because we’ve been on those long hikes with too much Crap. When your sludging back muttering to yourself “NEVER AGAIN”

Great plan!! Patent it!!

Great design Bret.

Crafty

I was looking at that sled at GM yesterday and I saw a toy for early and late ice when th weather is nice. Then I thought about the auger and kinda let the idea go. It’s back on the burner again. Thanks for the idea.

You think the PVC is going be strong enough, especially when cold? Looks like a nice idea.

Yep

With most all the weight on the bucket and the 1inch PVC just keeping the auger stable, I
do not see a problem

Nice work Big Guy!

Are ANY panfish safe down there?!

Looks pretty slick. A simple item I use for hiking with the auger is just a bungee cord used as a sling. Pretty simple and leaves both hands open for carrying a bucket and flasher.

Looks great… One of those “Why didn’t I think of that?” ideas.

Better yet “Why didn’t STRIKEMASTER think of that!?”

Nice job!

Hmmm after power head bounces off bucket? I got a long 5 foot plastic sled the Jiffy fits on.

Blue…with the weight of a Jiffy one would need a sled that size.

I’m sorry, I just couldn’t resist the temptation!

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Blue…with the weight of a Jiffy one would need a sled that size.

I’m sorry, I just couldn’t resist the temptation!

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How long before a Suzuki post? Are we going to have a pool on this one?

Between 8 and 9:30 am Monday morning. I have a quarter on it.

I’m sorry Bret. I know how much work you put into thinking this through. I didn’t want to take your thread off topic. Sorry.

No problem here Brian. When I posted this I already knew there were those that would be on the negative.
That is what makes this site so great….the array of people, those of us that know something good when we see it and then….well you know, the rest of them

Neat idea there Bret, but I gotta ask where the heck are you going to store all that junk you ussually haul out there with you? And I’m not talking about Mike C. I don’t think he’d fit anyway.

Like I said this set up is for the long haul. There are 2 places I have been wanting to get to this year one is a 1.5 mile hike and the other is almost 2. The route is through dense marsh and islands that would make it a struggle using wheelers or snowmobiles. And I don’t have an air boat but would be more than willing to collect for an air boat fund

I am able to get my minnows and Custom Jig and Spins tackle in the bucket, along with some beers And the LX-5 with s few odds and ins fit in the sled perfectly.

Playing with the set up pulling it through the piles of snow in the backyard I hardley knew there was anything behind me.

Now if the weather would just cooperate I hope to have some reports of places that have not seen an ice jig yet this year

PS: blufloyd,

If I wanted to pull a sled big enough for the auger to lay down in….it would have the tent attached anyways

Thanks for another great tip

From Jeff

How is the balance on that Bret? It looks a little top heavy.

Ed

Looks like a good rig Brett. I may have to do the same to mine!

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It looks a little top heavy.

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Surprisingly it is not top heavy. The minnows in the 5 gallon pail provide good counter balance. Like I said, the test drive through the snow drifts at different angles proved to be promising.

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I may have to do the same to mine!

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Hey Dave,

Would you like me to bring you the 1inch water pipe? I have plenty left over and glue too. All you would need to do is pick up the elbows and a T.

I can bring it with Saturday to the GTG…..just say the word

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I am able to get my minnows and Custom Jig and Spins tackle in the bucket, along with some beers And the LX-5 with s few odds and ins fit in the sled perfectly.

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That’s great, but where are you going to put all the fish that you’re going to catch out there?

on a serious note, that looks pretty sweet. I don’t have a power auger (I wish) but I may need to get innovative like yourself pretty quick. I’m getting sick of slough jumping a 1.5 mile round trip in 8″ or more of snow.

Just fished with Ice Team Vexilar guy Howard the Duck. He has that sled pretty cool set up. He takes the wimpy 5 inch hand auger with him. I dragged the Jiffy on the Eskimo. Its old reliable and needs the hi speed screw tweaked out about a 1/4 turn. I am getting too old and feeble for that fresh air icing.
It also seems trip are getting longer while the fish are shrinking.

Guess you are good to go then.

I bought one today. No hole in front tray as pictured everywhere though.
O well. No rope either which I thought odd.

Mine didn’t come with a rope either. But if it did, I would have replaced it with a longer and thicker one anyway. I like a lot of room to walk ahead of sleds.

long rope to get away from the stink bait ?????