The torque of an electric ice auger is mainly a particular amount of rotational force from the motor’s crankshaft. It measures the turning or torquing ability of the ice drilling device. Torque is one of the essential aspects of an ice auger that determines how powerful the ice device is.
How much torque do I need for the ice auger? An ice auger must have at least 375 to 400 ft pounds of torque, but 500 to 600 ft pounds of torque are better to work smoothly on both smaller and larger projects. But 700 to 800 ft pounds of torque are necessary for extremely thicker ice.
How Much Torque Do I Need For Ice Auger
An ice auger must deliver the required torque at the highest speed to effortlessly cut ice, create holes, and shave off the ice substances.
It is a good rule of thumb to use an ice auger that provides at least 375 to 400 ft pounds of torque.
But 500 to 600 ft pounds of torque are better for working smoothly on most items.
You will need more torque to swiftly rotate the blades of your ice auger in thicker and harder ice.
Experts recommended using 700 to 800 ft pounds of torque for extremely thicker ice, such as 20 inches thick ice.
An ice drilling device with less than 400 ft pounds of torque may struggle to turn smoothly.
Besides, It will put additional pressure on the ice auger as it had to overwork with underpowered capabilities.
However, an ice auger’s performance level is not only determined by its torque rating.
Advantage Of Higher Torque In Ice Auger
Why should you choose an ice auger with a high torque rating? It must have a reason, right?
Here are the five primary reasons your ice drilling device should have a good torque level.
01. Better Working Ability
The power of an ice auger defines how much work the device can do in a given time.
An ice auger with a good torque rating can perform its drilling performance more effortlessly.
It comes in handy, especially for heavy-duty jobs, to reduce downtime and increase the efficiency of the drilling operation.
Their high dynamic performance allows you to cut ice rapidly and create more holes within a short period.
02. Creating More Holes Rapidly
Cutting and drilling ice requires faster movements. Don’t think twisting faster will make the device work more quickly.
Instead, a device with a decent torque level allows you to generate enough power for a rapid twisting force.
It allows you to quickly overcome heavy loads and create more holes within a short period.
Shaving off the ice and making a hole will take only 10 to 20 seconds if your ice auger has enough power with the optimal torque.
Otherwise, the ice drilling device may take around 50 to 60 seconds or more to create each hole. This will affect your fishing performance due to time shortage.
03. More Operation Time
An electrical ice auger takes around 2 hours to get a full charge.
When the ice drilling device has less than the required torque, it needs to overwork as it has less power and torque.
It puts heavy pressure on the ice auger. The battery drains quickly and becomes empty within a short period.
In contrast, an ice auger with sufficient torque can work smoothly without losing any time.
The motor will work at its optimal efficiency. Hence, the battery will last longer and increase the operation time.
04. Longer Lasting Durability
An ice auger can last around 10 to 20 years. It can last more if it has a minimal level of torque.
Ice drilling devices with higher torque will cause minimal pressure on the motor.
It rotates smoothly without taking extra loads. This will prevent overworking and ensure long-lasting durability.
On the contrary, too low-rated torque will put extra pressure on the ice auger when you use it for heavy-duty jobs.
The machine has to work harder than regular to perform the job. If it continues for a long time, it will affect its durability.
05. Less Maintenance Cost
An ice auger with higher torque creates more power at a lower drilling speed.
You can save a good amount of gasoline using a gas-powered ice auger.
More importantly, it will cause minimal friction, resulting in less power loss.
As a result, the moving parts inside the ice auger engine will not show wear and tear soon.
The main advantage is less maintenance cost. You will have to take the drill less frequently to a professional for servicing.
Is High Torque Always Better For Ice Augers?
Higher torque is not always better for ice augers. The performance of an ice auger is mainly determined by its power.
The power of an ice drilling device involves using torque and RPM.
Hence, power = Torque x RPM. You need a good amount of torque and RPM to operate the device efficiently.
Various values of torque and RPM can affect the power of an ice drilling device.
A high-torque ice drill with a lower RPM will fail to generate enough power to get the job done.
The same goes for a low-torque ice drill with a higher RPM. You have to choose an option with minimum torque and RPM rating to generate enough power.
A cordless drill with a brushless motor is the best choice for ice drilling if you want to use it for heavy-duty jobs.
What Happens If You Use A Lower Torque For Ice Auger?
An ice auger doesn’t need to have an extreme amount of torque to get the job done.
Torque is the capacity to do a job. It doesn’t involve how quickly it completes the job.
Instead, torque is more related to the capabilities of rotational forces to finish off a particular.
An ice auger with too low torque will struggle to rotate the blades of the ice auger smoothly.
The blades don’t move most fully due to a lack of power support.
However, if the ice auger has more than regular RPM, the absence of 50 to 100 ft pounds of torque will not cause any problems.
How To Utilize The Maximum Torque In An Ice Auger?
When it comes to obtaining the maximum torque at a particular speed, the rotor resistance of the ice auger plays a key role.
Developing the maximum torque requires a high-rated rotor resistance. It should be equal to X 20.
Your main aim should be getting full power to the ice auger motor.
Avoid using the “Hammer” or “Screw” mode in your ice auger. This will limit your drilling performance.
It is always best to use only the “Drill” mode for your ice auger. This special function can only provide you with the optimal level of torque.
Remember, higher torque is not always better. You want the best torque to complete the drilling job.
Your main focus should be whether the device can handle your desired job. You don’t need too much torque as long as it gets the job done.
Wrapping UP
When it comes to electric ice drills, you have to rely on their motor power. The higher the motor power, the tougher job it can handle.
Unless you have a decent level of torque, you can’t maximize the optimal power of the ice auger. However, that doesn’t mean you will need the maximum torque
Higher torque is better but at a certain level. Before choosing a particular ice drilling device, consider the ice thickness level. It must have the required torque rating to take the load.
Hopefully, you got a clear idea regarding the question, “How much torque do I need for the ice auger.” Make sure you know how to operate the device cautiously without damaging it.
