A motor drill is a device with which you can make holes in the ground (up to 1.5 meters), soil or ice. Often used in construction and other household needs. But even more often, a motorized drill can be found among experienced fishermen who often go winter fishing and do not want to waste time and effort on drilling holes.
A motorized ice drill is needed in places where the ice thickness can be 0.5 meters or more. There are quite a lot of manufacturers of these devices, and their prices can start from several thousand and exceed a hundred thousand rubles. Below we will describe how to choose a motorcycle ice drill, how they differ from each other, and what features it makes sense to overpay for.
Motorized ice drill for winter fishing
What is a motor drill
As was said, a motor drill is a device with which you can drill holes in the ground or ice. Its main part is the engine. It runs on gasoline, but there are also models with an electric motor. It is more popular with gasoline engines, because in severe frosts the battery of an electric drill quickly discharges and becomes unusable. The engine is attached to a frame with handles that you can hold on to when drilling.
The second part of the motor drill is the auger. Which bites into the thickness of ice or earth, making holes. The purpose for which the motor drill is used depends on the auger. So, by attaching an ice drilling auger to a regular construction motor drill, you can use it to drill holes. But this does not mean that there is no difference between them.
Ice screws for winter fishing differ from construction screws in some respects, which will be discussed below.
Motor drill for excavation work
Types of motorized drills for winter fishing
Motor drills can be divided into types according to parameters. Depending on the type of engine, they can be electric or gasoline. Gasoline engines can be two-stroke or four-stroke. Two-stroke motor drills are more powerful and easier to maintain. The oil in them comes along with the fuel, so during operation they emit more harmful substances and also make loud noise.
Four-stroke motor drills are less common. The oil is supplied to them separately and changed periodically. They are difficult to maintain and have less power. They may also cause problems when working in cold weather:
- More difficult to launch.
- Before starting work, you must first warm up to operating temperature.
But four-stroke motor drills produce less noise and emit fewer harmful substances.
They may also differ not only in the type of engine, but also in purpose. Globally, drills are divided into two types:
- Intended for construction work (drilling soil, earth).
- And for fishing (drilling holes).
Both types have the same design, but different elements. A motorized drill for construction work differs from a motorized ice drill in the following parameters.
Working with a motor drill in winter while fishing
Auger - which one to choose for drilling ice in winter
The auger is the main part that determines the purpose of the motor drill. In ice screws, the auger blades have a sharper angle of inclination. Can also be coated with Teflon to improve glide. On a winter ice auger, you can remove the blades to replace or sharpen them. The diameter of the resulting hole with an ice auger can be from 100 to 500 millimeters. The depth the drill can drill depends on the length of the auger. This is no more than 1.5 meters.
Auger for motorized ice drill - suitable for winter fishing
Motor drill engine for fishing in winter
Engines of different types of drills differ in type and characteristics. Electric ones are used in construction, as they are designed to work in warm conditions. Gasoline ones can be found in both construction and fishing industries. They have different not only operating conditions, but also power. To drill soil or earth, you need 6-8 horsepower, while a fishing drill for drilling holes needs 2-3.5. Also, even a gasoline construction motor drill can perform poorly in winter fishing, because it is not designed for use in severe frost.
Gasoline motor drill without winter auger
Disadvantages of a motor drill
- High price.
- The tool is quite heavy, many times heavier than a regular drill.
- If you do not follow safety precautions or do not properly care for the tool, the results of operation can be very unpredictable.
- Knives, especially imported ones, become dull quite quickly if they cut ice that contains sand. It will be extremely difficult to sharpen such knives yourself, so you will have to turn to specialists, which will entail additional costs.
- If there are several holes, then moving the tool from one place to another is very difficult, since the motor drill weighs more than 10 kg. In the event that a group consisting of several people is engaged in fishing, then the purchase of such a unit will be justified.
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Frame
The main difference between a fishing hull and a construction hull is the materials. Motorized ice drills are used during severe frosts, so plastic is used, which in winter at low temperatures retains its properties and does not crack or crumble. The housing can also be protected from snow and water.
Engine and frame of a motorized ice drill suitable for fishing
Pros and cons of motorcycle ice drills
Let's look at the pros and cons of motorized drills, comparing them, of course, with hand drills. The main advantage of its “moto” counterpart over a hand drill is the speed of hole drilling. Especially with a larger diameter auger. If you use a manual ice drill with a 150 or 200 mm auger, then while you are drilling one hole, the owner of the motorized drill will drill five of them. This is where the advantages of the ice drill end, and the disadvantages begin.
The main disadvantage of a motor drill is its weight. A motor drill is actually a two-stroke gasoline internal combustion engine, equipped with a gearbox and an auger with knives or a cutting head. Engine cooling is air. Engine power from 1 to 3 hp. Can you guess why they don’t produce, for example, four-stroke motorized ice drills or drills with higher-power engines? Yes, because these would be completely heavy-duty devices that would have no practical use in winter fishing. But a standard motorcycle ice drill cannot be called light. The weight of a motor drill with a standard auger reaches 8-10 kg.
This leads to the next disadvantage of using a motorized ice drill for fishing - the mandatory availability of means for its transportation
Read: Preparing tackle for catching asp using a bombard
What it will be is not so important. Snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle with low pressure tires or motorized dog
The main thing is that you can transport the motor drill from the car to the fishing spot. Well, the last cons. A motorcycle ice drill requires gasoline and oil. The motorcycle ice drill is very reluctant to start with a manual starter at very low temperatures. And the smell of exhaust and the sound of a two-stroke engine do not in any way contribute to unity with nature while fishing.
How to choose a winter motorcycle ice drill
To understand which motor drill to choose for winter fishing, you need to take into account the characteristics. Each of them will be discussed in more detail below.
Focus
The first thing you need to look at when choosing is focus. It can be created specifically for drilling holes, or it can be universal and suitable for all types of tasks. Universal motor drills cost more, but you can buy one, for example, for work on a summer cottage.
If you only need it to drill holes, there is no point in buying a universal one.
A good winter motor drill is the key to successful fishing
Power
Another thing you look at when choosing a winter ice auger is power. It should not be too small so that the drill can drill through at least the middle layer of ice. But it also doesn’t make sense to take one with high power, because it will consume more fuel, take up a lot of space during transportation and weigh more. For ice drilling, an option with a power of 3-3.5 horsepower is suitable.
Powerful motor drill
Equipment
When choosing, you also need to take into account the fact that an auger does not come with it, so you will need to buy it separately. When purchasing, the main thing you need to know is the diameter of the seat. This is 20 millimeters, but depending on the power, it can be more or less. So, on heavy models for drilling hard rocks, the diameter of the seat can reach 32 millimeters.
If the auger turns out to be the wrong diameter, you can buy an adapter. Expensive models come with a set of adapters so that augers of different diameters can be connected to the engine.
Adapter for motor drill auger
How to work with a motor drill correctly
Before drilling with a motor drill, you should read the operating instructions and only then begin work. Apply markings at the intended location for making holes. Then use a thin rod and a hammer to check if there are any large stones or tree roots in the ground.
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To perform the exact depth of drilling with a motor drill, you need to put a mark on the auger corresponding to the depth of the required hole. Thus, there is no need to put the tool aside over and over again and change the hole made.
20-30 centimeters of the surface are removed, the auger is removed, and along with it the earth, then again deepened by 20-30 centimeters, and so on until the destination. Otherwise, removing the auger will be a long and difficult job.
By following all the listed rules and tips, the work will be completed accurately, quickly and efficiently.
Manufactured in China under American license. This is a universal tool that can work both in winter and summer. Equipped with a 2.2 hp engine. It costs between 15-17 thousand rubles.
Rating of the best models of motorized drills for ice fishing
After the necessary characteristics have been selected, the next question arises - which model of motorized ice drill for fishing to buy. Now there are many companies that produce these tools, and the price for a model with the same characteristics from different manufacturers can differ several times. To make it easier to choose a reliable winter drill, below we will present the top of the popular models used by anglers with brief reviews of them.
The Ideal Hole - Preparation for Fishing
RedVerg RD-EA630B
RedVerg RD-EA630B is a motorcycle ice drill assembled in Russia from Chinese spare parts with a relatively low price. Due to its availability, many fishermen who often catch fish in winter fishing buy it. Power – 3 horsepower, which is enough to drill holes in ice without much effort. The set includes an auger with a diameter of 300 millimeters. This hole width will be enough to pull out large fish. The tank holds 1.3 liters of fuel. This amount is enough for even the longest fishing trip. Two-stroke engine, oil:gasoline ratio 25:1. Among its features, it has shock-absorbing handle pads that dampen engine vibrations and an emergency braking function.
Fishing drill assembled in Russia
CHAMPION AG352
Small, light and cheap gas drill. It has become popular among fishermen because it weighs less than 10 kilograms, which means you can take it with you fishing, because it takes up little space. Also, judging by the reviews, it has a durable, vibration-resistant frame. The engine is two-stroke, with a volume of 51 cubic meters. cm. Its power is 1.9 horsepower, so it can drill holes with a diameter of up to 250 millimeters, but this is enough for most purposes. The seat diameter is 20 millimeters, the tank volume is 0.98 liters.
Two-stroke motor drill
MAXCUT MC 55
Another model with a low price. Unlike the previous one, the MAXCUT MC 55 does not come with a screw, which makes the price of this tool even lower. Two-stroke 3 HP With. drills holes easily. The frame is designed for one person to operate the drill. There is a gas fuse that protects against accidental pressing and anti-vibration gaskets. Controls on the right handle. Since this motor drill is more powerful, it weighs more than the previous one - 11.5 kilograms.
Good for winter fishing
ECHO EA-410
The first expensive model on the list. She is already professional. Assembled in Japan, so the build quality is high. This has an unusual design - there are three handles, two of which are “power”, made to pull the drill out of the ground, and the third handle is responsible for control: gas, engine start-stop. With this design, two people can work to drill something hard (frozen ground in winter). Two-stroke, 2.5 horsepower, auger is not included, but there are adapters for most sizes.
The best motor drill for ice fishing, Japanese assembly
ELITECH BM 52E
This model has a complete copy, which is lighter in weight - ELITECH BM 52V. It costs more, so the choice depends on how important the weight of the tool is to save money. Power 2.5 horsepower. The kit includes a canister for mixing gasoline and oil, a funnel and even a small set of tools for servicing the drill, but the auger must be purchased separately. According to the instructions, two people need to work, but drilling ice and other soft rocks can be done alone.
Light weight - convenient for fishing in winter
ADA instruments Ground Drill 8
A Chinese budget tool with some features. The frame is made in the form of a cage with an engine inside, which reduces the space occupied by the drill. This motorcycle ice drill is designed for use by two people. For ease of use, gas triggers are installed on both handles. Quite strong, 3.3 horsepower, while this device weighs less than 10 kilograms. A set of tools is included. The auger must be purchased separately. The disadvantages include the maximum auger diameter (250 millimeters) and the fact that it is sensitive to rock hardness.
Winter Chinese motor drill
Huter GGD-52
A small and compact tool, but for the sake of compactness I had to sacrifice power. The Huter GGD-52 has 1.9 horsepower, but the engine weighs less than 7 kilograms. Therefore, it can be conveniently used only for ice drilling. It starts easily at sub-zero air temperatures, the handles are covered with polymer, which is comfortable to hold on to. However, it quickly becomes unusable from constant friction. The gas handle is made of plastic, the auger is not included. This drill can be operated by one person.
Compact fishing tool
The best two-stroke high-power motor drills
STIHL BT 360
For the convenience of turning out an auger that is jammed in the ground, the gearbox (its gear ratio is 151! Compare with other participants in the rating...) is equipped with a lock - its lever is easily accessible between the motor and the gearbox. In the absence of reverse, you will have to stop the motor, block the gearbox and start turning the auger in the opposite direction along with the gas drill itself by the handles. Moreover, the design also includes a safety clutch: if the maximum force is exceeded, the gearbox locking is automatically disabled.
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There are two air filters - main and auxiliary. In dusty air, this allows for quick maintenance without opening air directly into the carburetor - by removing the main filter (not serviceable, but replaceable. According to the instructions), we leave in place the auxiliary filter, which becomes dirty much more slowly. Carburetor adjustment is simple and straightforward.
To check the oil level in the gearbox there is no dipstick: the motor drill must be placed on its side and the lower control plug must be unscrewed. If oil does not flow from it, you need to add it through the top plug. This is perhaps the only inconvenient thing about servicing the Shtil.
- Reliability
- High traction force
- Foldable handles
- Presence of gearbox locking
- Passport service life – up to 30 years
- High price
- Inconvenient folding handles
ADA instruments Ground Drill 8
- Modernized design taking into account complaints about the previous generation (since 2015)
- Quite powerful engine
- Two throttle triggers
- Moderate weight
- Sensitivity to soil density and drilling depth typical of small-capacity two-stroke engines
Fubag FPB 71
A reasonable limit for heavy soils is 150 mm augers, but here it is as always: a powerful drill is usually not sought for light work, and often a 2.7-horsepower two-stroke is already forced to work in conditions where it would be worth thinking about a powerful four-stroke. The Fubag gas drill does not like overloading - it was not in vain that we immediately went through the gearbox, the strength of which is not enough for long-term work with great effort (and it is not the filling of the gearbox that “gives up”, but just the crankcase itself).
- Good ergonomics
- Can be used with a four- or two-handed grip
- The engine is quite powerful and at the same time moderate for its class in terms of consumption.
- In reality, with 200-250 mm augers you can only work on light soils
Tatyana Ilyina Published: 02.11.2012, 15:01 Category : Winter Category
: Gasoline drills (motor drills)
This equipment is necessary on the farm.
You can’t do without it when installing a fence, drilling a well or fishing - it helps make holes in the ground or ice. Depending on their purpose, motor drills are divided into 2 categories. To carry out work in the winter season, regardless of where the gas drill is used - on a construction site or in the household - there is a special category of equipment. It is characterized by high engine torque (above 330 Nm), which makes it easier to make a hole in frozen ground. For such cases, motor drills ECHO EA-410, Efco TR 1551 are optimally suited.
Having decided on the tasks to be performed by the equipment, it is necessary to consider its technical characteristics. They will help you choose the option that is best suited for your case. What should you pay attention to?
I specifically analyzed reviews on Internet resources (websites, forums) on ice augers with motors, where there are quite a lot of complaints about the purchased augers, before purchasing my own fishing motorized ice auger. Sellers tell everything fabulously about the advantages, but unfortunately the reality is distinguished by its opposite. And already on the first fishing trip, some people’s engines stopped starting, others started to stall, etc.
I'll start with the theory. A motorized ice drill is equipment for drilling ice that has an auger and a two-stroke or four-stroke gasoline engine. When considering the purchase of a gasoline ice auger, the buyer should have confidence in its quality. First of all, the reliability of the auger with knives and the engine.
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The ice drill engine should not have vagaries with starting in severe frost. Based on the lifespan of its operation before failure, one should understand how long its operation will last. You should pay attention to the warranty period, if it is short (1 year) or not specified at all, it is a fake or low quality drill. When it comes to the quality and reliability of a motorized ice drill, one cannot dwell only on its price.
I specifically analyzed reviews on Internet resources (websites, forums) on ice augers with motors, where there are quite a lot of complaints about the purchased augers, before purchasing my own fishing motorized ice auger. Sellers tell everything fabulously about the advantages, but unfortunately the reality is distinguished by its opposite. And already on the first fishing trip, some people’s engines stopped starting, others started to stall, etc.
Most people who see a motorcycle ice drill for the first time will think about quality something like this - if it’s more expensive, it means better quality and better. That’s how it is, but the price depends on the celebrity of the brand, on the emergence of new brand models or, as it is now, some sanctions, etc. In order not to make a mistake, it is necessary to study the experience of owners operating motorized drills in different conditions for a long time.
In fact, you can make a drill with a gasoline engine yourself, and many fishermen do just that. The gasoline engine is taken from a lawn mower or from a saw, and the auger is used from a conventional manual drill using a standard factory adapter or a homemade one. The device of the drill is very simple. But at the same time, a torque similar to that of a factory ice drill must be provided. This drill can drill ice of the same thickness as a hand drill. It is also equipped with inserts that extend the height of the auger.
When drilling ice with a motorized auger, you must be extremely careful so as not to injure yourself and the people nearby. You can imagine what will happen to a part of a person’s body that is touched by a rotating auger. When transporting the auger, the knives are covered with a standard plastic case.
Disadvantages and advantages of motorcycle ice drills
The disadvantages of a motorized ice drill include its average weight of 3.5 kg; carrying it on yourself when moving on foot is a difficult task; you can’t do without a sled with a reliable mount for the drill. Secondly, from the sound of the running engine and its transmission through the auger to the ice, everyone within a radius of 20-30 meters moves away from the fright. You have to wait for the fish to approach for some time after drilling a hole, but much longer than when drilling with a hand ice auger.
Among the advantages, I note the speed of drilling holes, which is especially good for installing girders and fans of vertical trolling with spoons, balancers and other winter baits for predatory fish. Anglers gain a lot of time and strength when searching for fish when fishing from ice.
Motorized ice drills from Japanese, American and Swedish manufacturers are very popular among fishermen. Among the brands of motorized ice drills, I would like to note the reliability and quality of motorized ice drills from Mora and Hitachi.
We have selected the 7 best motorized drills for our review. They are widely represented in the Russian trading network. When compiling the rating, the opinion of the expert community and user reviews were taken into account.
