Jiffy Pro 4 propane ice auger

  • servicce
    Waterloo, Ia
    Posts: 72
    #1301964

    Hello All, I am looking to get a new auger, I am torn between the 2 stroke lazer mag, the 4 stroke strikelight, and the new Jiffy Propane, thoughts would be much appreciated, The propane Jiffy looks sweet, but is HEAVY. Thanks,
    Jason

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    #919312

    The jiffy didn’t strike a cord with me when I demoed one over a week ago. I guess I just didn’t understand what it does better than other augers already available from Jiffy. It started easily. It cut “ok.” Definitely NOT the hot knife through butter you get with a strikemaster. To call it heavy is an understatement. That all but eliminates it as a “run and gun” style auger where an angler is out on the ice punching holes all day. At least for me. If your goal is to buy an auger for zero emissions for punching holes in an ice house, the electrics make more sense. If you want a light weight that can serve double duty as a in-house hole puncher that doesn’t leave you gasping for air and have the ability to run around out on the ice and rip it up when the mood strikes you, the four strokes seem to fit the bill. Don’t get me wrong… the propane auger worked as advertised… I just didn’t see the advantage of propane power with electric and four stroke options available from multiple manufacturers, including Jiffy.

    sandmannd
    Posts: 928
    #919313

    I saw the propane model at the ice show but it is heavier. Runs good, no exhaust and should drill great for you.

    I got a Strikemaster a few years ago and honestly, that’s all I’ll buy. They go through ice like butter and if you have problems the customer service there is great. I have the laser mag and love it. If you have the money to go 4 stroke, do it, you won’t regret it.

    servicce
    Waterloo, Ia
    Posts: 72
    #919344

    I don’t have an Ice “Shack” if you will, I use a Frabill Hideout, so emissions aren’t a prob for me. I looked at the Jiffy from the standpoint of no gas on hands or gloves, instant starting and etc.. however,, heavy!!! I am leaning towards the Lazer mag becuase of price, but if you had a choice and money not an issue,,, would any of you go straight for the strikelight? or stay with a mag for savings of $100. thanks!

    wicked_1
    Eau Claire WI
    Posts: 85
    #919428

    I am going to give it a year to see if there are any problems with them. I have a 8″ STX Jiffy now and I love it but No gas to mix, no gas on the hands/gloves, no choke to deal with, and next to no smell…I’m in on the Pro 4. Too much plastic on the Strikemaster for me, but that is how they keep the weight down.

    tjgeerdes
    Rice Lake, WI
    Posts: 41
    #919440

    I have the jiffy propane. I fish out of my car mainly so I didn’t want to have to worry about spilling gas in my car, etc. So far I love the propane auger…starts on the first pull with no fumes and cuts pretty well plus no gas to mix! I don’t really notice a weight issue, but my dad has always had jiffys and I am a tall, strong guy, so I guess I notice the weight less?? Hope this helps.

    Mocha
    Park Rapids
    Posts: 1452
    #919470

    4 stroke Strike Lite from StrikeMaster would be my first choice @ 23# Wow that would be great!

    mike_j
    Nashua Iowa
    Posts: 754
    #919528

    Ive been wondering about these too. I also was interested because I can not open the vent on the gas tank of my lazer mag express without getting a little gas on my gloves. I now have gloves designated to be used only to drilling holes. As far as I can see that is the only advantage. If I follow the directions on strikemasters web sight My lazer mag express is also instant starting. As far as not getting gas smell in your car I have a really nice auger bag I got for about $40 that takes care of that and even has a pocket inside for a spare set of blades.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    #919553

    StrikeMaster Auger Bags<<

    I was given one of these as a gift. When I first received it I thought “what a hassle”…turns out it’s not a hassle and it’s my favorite “Non Essential”!

    Easy to get the auger in and out of and a true blessing if you are walking any distance!

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    #919554

    Quote:


    StrikeMaster Auger Bags<<

    I was given one of these as a gift. When I first received it I thought “what a hassle”…turns out it’s not a hassle and it’s my favorite “Non Essential”!

    Easy to get the auger in and out of and a true blessing if you are walking any distance!


    When my augers are in the otter…. they’re in one of those bags. They protect the auger but, perhaps more importantly, they protect my other gear in the otter from the auger. Auger flutes do horrible things to gear on 25 mile snowmobile runs if they’re left exposed.

    sandmannd
    Posts: 928
    #919625

    Quote:


    Quote:


    StrikeMaster Auger Bags<<

    I was given one of these as a gift. When I first received it I thought “what a hassle”…turns out it’s not a hassle and it’s my favorite “Non Essential”!

    Easy to get the auger in and out of and a true blessing if you are walking any distance!


    When my augers are in the otter…. they’re in one of those bags. They protect the auger but, perhaps more importantly, they protect my other gear in the otter from the auger. Auger flutes do horrible things to gear on 25 mile snowmobile runs if they’re left exposed.


    These bags are great. They aren’t hard to use and take little time to get the auger in and out of. I got one last year at the ice show, now sure how I went without it.

    servicce
    Waterloo, Ia
    Posts: 72
    #919761

    Well, I now have something else to get, a nice bag to hold my new auger,, question I still have with myself is lazer mag, or strikelight? Decisions Decisions

    Tom P.
    Whitehall Wi.
    Posts: 3518
    #919864

    My only concern of having LP run an auger would be cold temps. Unless the small LP bottle is almost full it may not run on really cold days, unless the bottle is warmed up some how. A 1,000 gal LP tank won`t run a furnace if it`s cold enough and the tank is low on LP.

    Rich4Walleyes
    Posts: 86
    #919924

    Jiffy is using a high pressure regulator so this should not be a huge concern. It actually is sucking the fuel out of the bottle as opposed to having to wait for pressure in the bottle. If anyone would like to try one, just let me know and I will be happy to meet you somewhere on the lake and you can see how the propane unit works.

    Geerdes
    Brandon, SD 57005
    Posts: 791
    #919937

    Ran my son’s Jiffy propane auger today. Started on the first pull all three times that I started it. Cut the the 14-16 inches of ice we had just fine. Cut the same as my Jiffy Legend and my Jiffy White Lightening. Seemed like a nice little auger. Only used once, but seemed ok to me.

    servicce
    Waterloo, Ia
    Posts: 72
    #920144

    Well, I bought the jiffy pro 4 today. The propane was just too appealing to me. It cuts through ice like butter. Very quick, very quiet. One issue, it doesn’t stop spinning the auger after you have revved it up. When you first start it up, the auger is stationary. After you have revved it up and then return to idle, the idle is too fast so the auger starts spinning with quite a bit of torque, I have a call into the bait shop I bought it from. Supposed to talk to them on Monday for a solution. Appears to be an adjustment. The unit is heavy, but is an ice machine. I will keep people posted if curious.

    Rich4Walleyes
    Posts: 86
    #920151

    Does it seem like the idle is too fast? If so there is a spot to adjust the idle. I can look at mine tonight and maybe even get a pic of where the screw is and show you how to adjust it. It’s not a tough job to do. 1 simple screw and you will be taken care of. Enjoy your new auger!!!

    servicce
    Waterloo, Ia
    Posts: 72
    #920152

    I found what I beleive to be the one screw on the throttle stop, it idles fine when first started, but as it warms up for the next 30-40 secs. the RPMS come up to a higher idle that overtake the clutch. I am waiting to adjust anything since I just got it on Sunday. I spoke to the owner of the bait shop this morning and he is contacting Jiffy. The thing runs great, but needs the idle adjusted I beleive. I will see what they have to say. Should hear something this morning (12/27) If you have experience with this, please feel free to let me know. This is my first ice auger,, it is as I have said, heavy, but very slick. Lugging a Frabil hideout with gear and this auger through 12″ of soft snow is a workout!!!

    servicce
    Waterloo, Ia
    Posts: 72
    #920159

    Just heard from the bait shop, he spoke to the Jiffy Tech for me and informed me that I just need to back the screw on the throttle stop out 1/8 to 1/4 inch to start (good spot Rich)but keep it as tight as possible. They have the propane units set up to be overly responsive to throttle action. So, I will give it a shot tonight. I will update with my findings.

    Rich4Walleyes
    Posts: 86
    #920168

    It happens. We had to adjust one at the St Paul Ice Show also. Of the 3 that we had there, the 1 we adjusted was being started all weekend and 1 little adjustment took care of the problem. It is a simple fix but tough to describe how over the internet without pictures.

    servicce
    Waterloo, Ia
    Posts: 72
    #920173

    I noticed the stop screw where the throttle rests at idle and figured that is what they would have me do. I didn’t know if there was any other adjustment and since I only owned it one day, I didn’t want to make any adjustments without the bait shop I bought it from saying to. Rich, do you have a good way of keeping it resting in the correct position for transport from truck to hole? I keep it uprighted using tackle box and a bucket This is the only “real” complaint I have besides weight. They dont have a good way of resting the unit while in transport to where it is not tippy. Bungy cord in the truck and propped up on the tent ride.

    Rich4Walleyes
    Posts: 86
    #920188

    Other than a bungee or some other type of cord or rope, no sorry. That is what I am doing also. Just keep stuff against it so it doesn’t tip over is all I am doing too.

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