Jiffy 4G vs Eskimo z71

[walleyescout]

I have been looking at purchasing a auger and it's very hard to buy one without actually being able to drill a few holes as everyone knows. I have tried the z71 and found it cuts great. Fast and you better make sure your hanging on to it when you start cutting. But I am more interested in the 4G and it's capabilities. If any if you fellow hard water fisherman own one or have used one I would greatly appreciate any information on it. Or any other recommendations of augers. Thanks

[Kim473]

Eskimo all the way ! Mine is 4 years old and one pull strarts ! Just don't yank on the pull cord like your trying to start a 454 engine.

[EZM]

Originally Posted by Kim473

Eskimo all the way ! Mine is 4 years old and one pull strarts ! Just don't yank on the pull cord like your trying to start a 454 engine.

Agreed ...... I have a Z71 and it is built like a tank with very little plastic on it and starts up no problem ..... as long as the switch is in the "on" position ... lol ... sorry inside joke.

The only issue I had is I was pulling the recoil too far when I first got it .... just a short sharp pull and she's off to the races.

Cuts like a demon and hang on ...... she will pull you down the hole if you aren't careful.

Here are some reviews on the 4G ...... local reviews from wholesale sports website ............ not good ....... (make sure you click on product reviews tab)

http://www.wholesalesports.com/store...prod18586.html

[madatter]

Ummm my 4 year old Z71 is a lot of plastic so I don't know what Z71 others have.
Starts very well...
Blade life is my only negative with the Eskimo...

[Kim473]

Originally Posted by madatter

Ummm my 4 year old Z71 is a lot of plastic so I don't know what Z71 others have.
Starts very well...
Blade life is my only negative with the Eskimo...

Never had to change or sharpen my blades yet.

[1bluZebec]

Originally Posted by Kim473

Never had to change or sharpen my blades yet.

X2 I've been out almost every weekend as soon as it was safe to get on ice till last weekend of ice season for last 4 years on original blades and it still drills great. I'm sure it comes down to how you use it and where you use it. Eskimo is becoming known as the brand with most happy owners. Bang for your buck for power augers, Eskimo !!!!!

[EZM]

Originally Posted by madatter

Ummm my 4 year old Z71 is a lot of plastic so I don't know what Z71 others have.
Starts very well...
Blade life is my only negative with the Eskimo...

I purchased mine last year ..... they are quite a bit different than what you describe. The handles are solid cast steel with really only the fuel tank, heat cover that are plastic. ..... other than that ...... she is mostly steel .....

They are 2-3 lbs heavier than the high end jiffy, but looks to me built way stronger .... this was a part of my decision making process when choosing a new auger last season.

[CanadianBadass]

Originally Posted by EZM

Agreed ...... I have a Z71 and it is built like a tank with very little plastic on it and starts up no problem ..... as long as the switch is in the "on" position ... lol ... sorry inside joke.

The only issue I had is I was pulling the recoil too far when I first got it .... just a short sharp pull and she's off to the races.

Cuts like a demon and hang on ...... she will pull you down the hole if you aren't careful.

Here are some reviews on the 4G ...... local reviews from wholesale sports website ............ not good ....... (make sure you click on product reviews tab)

http://www.wholesalesports.com/store...prod18586.html

[EZM]

Originally Posted by CanadianBadass

Yeah .... Yeah ..... Yeah ....

I was out last year with AJ, Evil Eddie, Trophy Pike Hunter, Geezle and some other members.

AJ was talking up his husky and I was bragging how easy and way better, cooler, faster, my Z 71 was and how easy to start ..... how it cut like butter ..... etc.... we were going back and forth teasing each other.

A little later I went to drill another hole and I was pulling on the cord like an idiot and the Z 71 wouldn't start ...... so ....... the boys began chirping ...... I look down and the switch was in the off position. I had yanked on the cord so many time I had to have Eskimo send me a new recoil.

Good news is it was free ..... despite my stupidity and attempt to keep pulling it further and further.

Since then .... not an issue .....

like most things in life ..... operator error

......now leave me alone.

[CanadianBadass]

Originally Posted by EZM

Yeah .... Yeah ..... Yeah ....

I was out last year with AJ, Evil Eddie, Trophy Pike Hunter, Geezle and some other members.

AJ was talking up his husky and I was bragging how easy and way better, cooler, faster, my Z 71 was and how easy to start ..... how it cut like butter ..... etc.... we were going back and forth teasing each other.

A little later I went to drill another hole and I was pulling on the cord like an idiot and the Z 71 wouldn't start ...... so ....... the boys began chirping ...... I look down and the switch was in the off position. I had yanked on the cord so many time I had to have Eskimo send me a new recoil.

Good news is it was free ..... despite my stupidity and attempt to keep pulling it further and further.

Since then .... not an issue .....

like most things in life ..... operator error

......now leave me alone.

LOL , I put that Face because , I have had several issues with my recoil, the first was exactly that, Not putting the on switch to ON ! lol lol lol

Commen mistake I guess !

[madatter]

Originally Posted by EZM

I purchased mine last year ..... they are quite a bit different than what you describe. The handles are solid cast steel with really only the fuel tank, heat cover that are plastic. ..... other than that ...... she is mostly steel .....

They are 2-3 lbs heavier than the high end jiffy, but looks to me built way stronger .... this was a part of my decision making process when choosing a new auger last season.

Looking on their website they have indeed changed the bars on the Z71....
Mine are plastic....new ones are not steel but aluminum.
As far as blades go....dirty ice and southern Alberta go hand in hand with the chinooks we get which is why I carry a spare set.
Indeed before carrying a spare set I have had fishing trips wrecked because of fouled blades.
The Jiffy blades are more durable...I used a Jiffy 30 for 15 years.
I had my carb replaced under warranty by Eskimo....their service is outstanding.

[snubber]

Ya this is my second season with my Z71 and love it. Very little plastic and Ive heard on a another forum that jiffy had changed over to these hardened plastic gears inside. I was wasting some time the other day and was looking at the new eskimo and the new jiffy and ya jiffy is so mostly plastic and we all know what happens to plastic at 20-30 below. My only complaint about my Z71 is I find it a bit heavy. But it sure cuts fast and tons of power. Ya I'll admit it to Ive pulled about 20-30 times and wondering why it wouldn't start. Dam on/off switch.

[Walleye101]

Jiffy 10" hands down. I tune it up every year. And it's like a hot knife through butter!!!! Maintenance goes a long way. You take care of it and it will take of you!

[linger]

Eskimo all the way. bought a new Z51 last year.great auger,first or second pull every time. and very little plastic on it.

[EZM]

Yes the Z 71 is the heaviest out there - but when you are talking 3 lbs different for the high end Jiffy ..... not that big of a deal ..... I'm not old quite yet and my back is still strong.

The one thing you do notice is lots of power = lots of torque so yes it cuts like a hot knife through butter but, I can see it wrenching someones back if they are not strong and don't have a good hold of the machine.

That's the only drawback I see .....

As far as blades go - keep them sharp, have a spare set.

A new or sharp blade can rip through about an inch of ice every second - literally. It's quite amazing to see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usNCmSKRTSw

The video compares a 8" jiffy to the 10" z71 ...... keep in mind the 8" "should" punch through faster.

[sparky660]

I've had real good luck with my Jiffy propane. Haven't used an Eskimo so I can't give you a fair comparison.

[pinelakeperch]

I have an Eskimo Z51 and I'm very happy with it.

[EZM]

This afternoon ..... put in a bottle of oil, a splash of sea foam and topped the can up with 3.8 liters of Shells premium gas (no ethanol).

Topped up the Eskimo from last year, pumped the bulb, pulled the choke lever down, pressure release up, switch on, and in two pulls she fired up and ran after being in the garage all spring, summer and fall.

2 pulls .......... all I have to say is ..... Get Eskimo Biatch ......



Now if my snow blower would do the same I'd be a happy camper.

[#4fisherman]

We've had a z71 for years. Every year we've fired it up after the first pull -- no problem. This year, it did the same -- started, and then promptly quit -- and we can't get it going again. The 70+ year old mechanics are pulling their hair out trying to remedy this anomaly. Calling Eskimo this morning to hopefully get some insight since we've tried everything that even the small engine repair shops suggested. Once we find out, we're supposed to call them back!

That being said, this auger has been great. Drills fast, starts great (usually). Not too bad on the gas either. It is fairly heavy, but that's been one of the very few downsides. Only had to sharpen the blades once in 6 years.

[Linco]

I have an old jiffy 30- 10" that started giving me problems in the last couple of years, it would start great the first time when cold and after I punched holes wouldn't start again later that day. The Jiffy guys told me that it is caused by the ethanol in regular gas that screws up small engines so I bought a new 4G- 10 " and only run premium in it and it starts every time on the first or second pull and cuts like lightning and super quiet too. A sharp ripper blade helps too !

[pinelakeperch]

Originally Posted by Linco

I have an old jiffy 30- 10" that started giving me problems in the last couple of years, it would start great the first time when cold and after I punched holes wouldn't start again later that day. The Jiffy guys told me that it is caused by the ethanol in regular gas that screws up small engines so I bought a new 4G- 10 " and only run premium in it and it starts every time on the first or second pull and cuts like lightning and super quiet too. A sharp ripper blade helps too !

If ethanol is the issue, make sure to avoid Husky gas.