Harbor Freight Predator Auger, 2 Years Later. A Demo And Long Term Review.

[@nelsonrojasjr4158]

Enjoy that you review equipment that most people would purchase on a budget and you put them to actual work

[@RealMesaMike]

16:1 mix, huh? I just bought one from Harbor Freight that looks to be the same as yours, but it says I have to use 50:1 fuel mix...

[@TexTom1981]

Would love to see how it holds up in the dense clay soil found in South Texas. That dirt was pretty light.

[@bradc5433]

What area qualifies as south Texas ? Does Gonzales, TX count ?

[@TexTom1981]

@@bradc5433 Hill Country/Central Texas. I would say south of San Antonio.

[@bradc5433]

@@TexTom1981 so is that a vote of confidence this auger will work in Gonzales as it is technically ne of SA, albeit slightly

[@TexTom1981]

@@bradc5433 Having never put shovel to soil in central Texas, I don't know how hard or dense the soil is there TBH.

[@OneNewMan]

thanks Eric! good one. That's the way to review equipment; keep it for a while, use it for a year, then show how it works. Mere opening boxes does nothing for me. I can see unused, brand new stuff in the store... I'm also gonna listen close to what you add to the fuel to keep it running well. Super!

[@matthewwittmayer2476]

I have this auger and the exhaust doesn’t smoke at all because I use the correct mix! That smoke is really bad and you should show it digging holes in various types of soil, hard pan, rocks and roots to give a realistic view of the augers capabilities!

[@arturoavilacalderon2216]

What type of mix do you use?

[@mts7274]

What size auger bit are you using there, and would it be wide enough for split rail fence posts?

[@FarpointFarms]

I think this one was a 7" bit- they make larger ones depending on what size hole you are needing.

[@YankeeValleyOutdoors]

Will it go through rocky soil

[@FarpointFarms]

Yup! That's all we have here in the mountain's. Now it won't drill through a solid rock, but it will find a way down with rocks all around.

[@YankeeValleyOutdoors]

@@FarpointFarms I have to plant 39 American chestnut trees. We live on stripped property getting one of these might be my best option.

[@benrandomly2016]

I have about 60 holes to do to set up a bow shed and boat building strongback. I think that little unit will work nicely. My holes only need to be 24 to 30 inches deep for the 4x4 posts.

[@sutitigi]

Seen these used here in Finland to drill the ice on the lake, then they sit there ice fishing and a few drinks to keep warm.

[@wallyquiroz6312]

Suomi on kaunis maa mutta kylmä!

[@kolankprof]

Great video! Thanks for sharing your insights on this tool. As you said ... the exhaust smoke is quite substantial, and I can imagine that on a day with no wind, you'd want to wear a respirator or limit yourself to one or two holes at a time.

[@johncware66]

Any tips on removing extensions once you've had it on and used it for augering? I've soaked in WD40 at the join for days and pounded on it with a rubber mallet and can't get it off. I'm considering torching it.

[@FarpointFarms]

Try a bigger metal hammer- sometimes the trick is not to be gentle at all. In some cases you can torch it, just be careful not to catch it on fire!

[@cobbleup]

What a SMOKER !!! I really wonder if after break in the mix has to be that rich if using quality 2 stroke oil ??

[@FarpointFarms]

I agree, but it does call for 16-1 gas to oil ratio, and I don't want to hurt it.

[@wingerrrrrrrrr]

Mine only smokes briefly on startup and then clears up shortly after warmup. I don't run it with that much two stroke oil in the mix though. It actually can run hot with too much oil, as it leans out the fuel mixture. Just need enough for the lubrication of the cylinders.

[@DoctorColg8]

Remember, 25:1 oil ratio, not 1:50. Fuel stabilizer is a must! Best to drain the take and maybe store with a few squirts of seafoam through the primer bulb/ carb to store. Carbs are cheap and fairly easy to replace, some

[@joepaullawncare7222]

Bro. They 50:1 now.. old one is 25:1

[@brianlopez8196]

I dug 164 by hand to repair a fence and im just finding out about this tool

[@joepaullawncare7222]

Welcome to America my friend

[@johnanderson3746]

How is it with roots in ground or if it hits a regular or big rock

[@FarpointFarms]

It hurts- It is very powerful and it can twist your arm if you are not careful.

[@HoneyHollowHomestead]

You just made starting it look WAY easy!! I just returned one this morning because I could not start it. I carefully followed the instructions which said to lay the auger on it's side when starting, which you did not do. Are the instructions wrong? I was so careful to meticulously follow the start up instructions and I see you not follow most of them! And you barely pulled the cord! I pulled and pulled and pulled the full length!

[@KP68videogates]

Ill have to look into that. This summer I have 24 holes to dig. I have to say, I'm not looking forward to it.

[@automatedelectronics6062]

Wow! It does real good in that sandy soil and previously dug up soil, but how does it do in hardpan and virgin soil????? That's the smokiest 2-stroke powered auger that I think that I've ever seen. If there isn't something wrong with the engine or you are using the wrong fuel mix, you should be using a respirator mask when you use that auger.

[@jodigigante3731]

Up from the ground comes bubbling crude, black gold, texas tea!!!

[@TexTom1981]

BHBs were from the Ozarks. Just for clarification.

[@swampfox5329]

Can you get an auger or bits for ice so you can go ice fishing?

[@TheProCut17]

nice, I was looking at one of these today in the store

[@FarpointFarms]

Just used it again yesterday to put in 4 posts. Still working!

[@bradc5433]

I bet all the Harbor Freight haters hate this video!! Lol thanks for making it, I’m sold

[@FarpointFarms]

No problem!

[@DillonErickson]

Use Opti 2 cycle is one mix for oil ratio, it ends up being 80:1 us market, and in canada like 100:1. They are different in Canada and us because of the slight gallon difference. They warranty there product for a lifetime. If it blows up they will send a new engine free.

[@ricardosibaja4416]

Why so much exhaust smoke? Is it due to the fuel mix?

[@joshuathewelder24]

Yes. My grandpa and I just bought one of these today. We are digging holes for fence posts. It’s a 25:1 gas/oil ratio. It smoked the first we started it

[@fuzzy6813]

😂 if you have a mosquito problem or a horse fly problem. It will certainly take care of it that is a smoker wow!😂

[@williamgrissom9022]

The sites you demo'ed appeared to be soft soil with no rocks. Beside the house was obviously a filled area. The NC mountains are full of rocks. What problems did you have in those areas? I am sure in Florida sand w/ no limestone it would work fast.

[@FarpointFarms]

I can assure you that our yard is nothing but rocks, you hit one of those and your arms get yanked out.

[@igormaric7866]

I use this unit to install signs and the install sites are typically construction sites where they used anything and everything to fill and level the lawn areas. Once filled, they put about 4-6" of top soil and turf. When I hit a stone, piece of asphalt, piece of lumber or just hard packed soils, this unit is useless. Then I use something to break the soil up and dig it out with a hand digger and then use the auger again until I can't. When the soil is soft or sand, it works great. I've had it for a couple of years and it still works fine. It is too powerful for one guys at full throttle and you just have to be really careful.

[@topflight2358]

why do they smoke so bad

[@hillbillyhorticultureselki7899]

Nice little unit for around the farm i guess but sure looks like a wrist breaker. No auto brake? Think i'd be welding a long bar to the handle to combat the torque when that sucker grabs a rock or tree root and chucks ya. Don't ask how i know! LOL. You sure have sum fine soil there. Cheers

[@wingerrrrrrrrr]

When I hit rocks with mine, it spins me around if I don't let off on the throttle quick enough. It would be nice if there were some kind of torque sensing cutoff switch that'd trip when it jams in and stops dead on its tracks

[@DoctorColg8]

Best way to start 2 strokes: choke it til it tries, then switch to run and pull again. Works for my chain saws. If it is flooded, pull on Run with the throttle full. May take 20 pulls, but she'll start. For something you may use once, mebbe 2x a year, drain the tank and run it until it burns dry. If not, you should start it every other month or so, like it or not. Don't be lazy... leave that for the folks with enough money to buy new when they destroy the used.

[@rdquelle]

How do I know the weather in NC is bad? Two videos from Eric in two days!

[@wintercoder6687]

Something is definitely unique to your auger. I've been watching about a dozen other videos on the same model and none of them smoke anywhere near as much as yours. Like others, I would like to see how it holds up in heavy clay soil. We have an inch or two of topsoil... but everything under that seems like solid clay.

[@yoneatofam8713]

Too much oil in the gas.

[@elmermt]

Use some cd2 add it to the oil and some of the smoke will go away because the way you are making a hole you will never get stung by bees.

[@MowerJunkie]

I think You should come visit Me, and when You do....Bring this tool with You.

[@peterpauldonoghue7024]

You should always stand the windward side of that yoke !!

[@bobbydee1187]

Add less oil. It won’t smoke so bad

[@FarpointFarms]

It does smoke a lot, but The unit calls for 16-1 ratio for fuel-oil. That's a lot of oil!

[@HighDesertHomestead]

I have used one 7ntil my shoulders aches.

[@davidg4081]

Definitely does the job Dam looks like that has some tourqe

[@stanza77]

You're a surgeon with that thing by now 😆

[@FarpointFarms]

Precision hole maker!

[@treetop5752]

217 holes mines still going. SMOKES BADLY BUT OH WELL

[@FarpointFarms]

I will take the smoke over a post hole digging holes by hand

[@asylumsys]

Well no worries about mosquitoes while your useing it

[@FarpointFarms]

That is a good think in many places- In New England for sure. I have many memories of them in the summer- they were awful

[@Cowboy340]

Welcome back Eric, hope you’re feeling much better. Topic; Predator Auger, not “Biden”. I’ve heard they blow smoke terribly and I see yours does. You are the master at modification, any ideas how to reduce the blue blast ? Thanks again

[@ricky12811]

I thought you sound just like Eric the car guy some budy call ur name so I say it is Eric then see you mentioned at the beginning but ur are not the a Eric that I always watch but thanks ERIC appreciate your help .

[@FarpointFarms]

I am not the Eric the Car Guy, but I am an Erik a car guy. Guess it is something with the name and working on cars

[@ricky12811]

@@FarpointFarms lol yeah

[@edwardfoehring8827]

2 or 4 stroke

[@wingerrrrrrrrr]

2

[@johnhershey4010]

It's 25.1 Not 16.1

[@jeffmassey4860]

I used to have a chain saw made by Poulan which took 16 to 1 mix. What a smoker! It ran just as well with 24 to 1 mix with not as much mosquito fog.;)

[@adreq3.05]

Do something with the combusting pipe. The smokes can to kill the device users

[@gaspardsamedy9475]

If I were you I would think about the restocking fee before bying this thing. it does not work, its a waste of time and money. yes you can return it but it will cost you about $ 40 to $ 60 restocking fee

[@FarpointFarms]

Well, I've had this one over 2 years so I don't think they will take it back at this point.

[@sheshankutty8552]

That smoke... Yike...

[@craftman5632]

Lot of oil burning.

[@FarpointFarms]

built in fumigator for mosquitos?

[@56nomadman]

dang put the gas mask on

[@johnwolf1475]

SPEND THE MONEY AND GO WITH EARTHQake or toro who have 5 tyear warranties and stand behind teh product-- itt iis much much cheaper over these cheapies- i went through 5 hf augers- bolts fell out of them, the carbs fell off, the gear box winds up sounding like grinding broken bits and they dont last. the carb adjustments will change on thier own and if it runs away it can snap out of your hands-- possible breaking them,, these things are crap- teh warranty is over 60 bucks and you got buy a new warranty everytime you exchange the unit--- not mention your fuel getting to hf--- so my 5 cost me over 1000 bucks... my earthquake on sale 225.00 and i put a quarter mile of fence posts in and not one issue. it rock hard clay

[@FarpointFarms]

Toro is more of a commercial use, so it should last longer. I have not had any issues for the few small projects that I have done. this is a good one for people who have tiny little projects to do.

[@jurban611]

No eye protection my friend, SMH

[@organicvids]

16 to 1 how do u breathe? Haaaa

[@FarpointFarms]

you make do... or just hold your breath until you are done