Ardisam Earthquake Earth Auger Powerhead - 43cc, Model# E43
4.2
5
38
38
Think Twice
When the auger 'finally' gets started it runs fine; but a chore getting it started. Also, don't pull the starter cord too far out or it'll break fairly easy! Have had the 'pull start mechanism repaired once; did't last long before the spring got unsprung! Just paid the "big bucks" to order replacement pull starter and the shipping costs are even more unreasonable!!
December 15, 2012
Very Effective
I bought the one man model with an 8 inch auger. Works well as long as you let the machine do the work in hard soil. In sand, it digs a 30 inch deep hole in about 30 seconds. I woulod hesitate to place a 10 inch auger on this 43 cc model unless only used in sand.
October 15, 2012
Powerhead
Bought this as a replacement powerhead for my ice auger. This one is bigger and heavier than the old one but bolted perfectly to my ice auger shaft. This option of replacing just the powerhead turned out to be about $150 - $200 less than a new ice auger of the same engine size. Followed the instructions and it started on the 3rd pull. My old powerhead did not have a primer bulb like this one and was becoming a bear to start especially when the temp dropped below 10 degrees.
August 13, 2012
Works just fine!
I was worried about such a small motor doing a major task of spinning a 8" auger - but if you "drive it like it is stolen" it works great. Oklahoma has clay and rocks. Take your time and go slow (vertically) but go wide open with the throttle and you get a hole in quick order. Not nearly as fast as the bigger power units, but lite enough to tote around with one arm and for just a few holes a week I need around the race track, I can recommend this one easily!
August 13, 2012
Earth Auger
We have hard-pan clay here and it has been dry. I purchased this product to set fence posts and to plant trees. This machine does the job well! It is easy to start, has enough torq and power to do the job, and the price didn't hurt too bad.
May 15, 2012
little small
Works good with the small augers. With the bigger sizes it struggles with the torque. But all around a good buy just dont think your going to drill 10 inch postholes.
May 14, 2012
Does the job
If you have reasonable expectations for this auger you will be very happy with it. It's a one-man powerhead so don't expect enough torque to bust through a 1" root... hence your tendons would bust first. If you have ground you could dig with a landscaping shovel but want to work faster and easier, this auger will do it. If you have tennis ball sized rocks or roots bigger than 1/2", you'll fight the auger, have soar forearms and still be pulling out your shovel or post-hole diggers to finish the job.
May 7, 2012
Wish i would have bought this years ago!
Great auger!! I bought and run the 8" bit with no issues (other than rocks). Starts everytime by the third pull, runs great never have any issues with it stalling or being sluggish.
Ran this now for 3 months or so and put in over 30 fence posts with minimal hand digging (to pull out big rocks). Works as advertised if not better in my opinion.
May 7, 2012
Hard to start and lacks power
I bought this unit in the spring of 2011. It has been pretty difficult to start, but does run ok once started. The main problem with it is the lack of torque. I am using a 6" auger and there is barely enough torque for it to be usable. Even without any down force on the auger, the clutch slips and the auger constantly stalls and does not develop enough rpm to actually pull any dirt out of the hole. Because of this, you must constantly lift the auger out of the hole, shake off the dirt, and repeat. Very tiring. Owner's manual says the clutch will slip for the first 2 hrs, but I haven't seen any improvement yet. Overall a disappointment, especially since most reviews here are very positive.
January 16, 2012
Worked Great
I've drilled maybe 30 holes with this unit and a 6" drill and love it. It's a heavy unit and will give one man a pretty good workout especially if there's a few small rocks in the way. With two of us working it, it was great. Took a little bit of cranking to get it to fire off the first time but was fine after that. I bought a 3" auger and have used it to drill the first hole in rocky ground and then finish up with the 6" and it seems to do well for me.
January 12, 2012