This review covers the Husqvarna ST327P Model 961 93 00-92 two-stage snow blower
This model is available at your local Husqvarna dealer, Amazon.com and select retailers. This review also applies to the ST324P and ST330P snow blowers. Width and engine size are the only differences.
Amazon is offering this snow blower with free shipping for the same price or less than the other retailers: HUSQVARNA ST327P 27In 2-Stage
With the success of the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO Picture Review this review will be all pictures with a explanation under each one.
Who is this snow blower for? Anyone with a 2-3 car driveway up to 300 feet long. (You can do more if you have the time.) This snow blower will handle gravel and turf. It will also work on side slopes. With the included poly skid shoes it will clear your cobblestone, pavers and patios without leaving brown rust marks. This snow blower will clear areas about 30% faster than the residential 24 inch machine. This snow blower will handle all of the snows we get in the U.S. including last years Boston blizzards. It’s not quite as fast at clearing as the HUSQVARNA ST330P
or Husqvarna ST330T
This snow blower is also offered with tracks: Husqvarna ST327T
Husqvarna manufacturers two levels of snow blowers. The 200 Series residential (covered here) are economy models designed for most of us. The 300 Series Landowner models have more features, larger engines and are built stronger to handle areas that get lots of snow. The 300 series are built well enough to last you many years.
Compare this Husqvarna snow blower to the Toro PowerMax HD Model 1028 and the Ariens Platinum 30 SHO.
I usually purchase one or two snow blowers each year for MovingSnow as base-line units to compare the other snow blowers to. This year I decided to purchase one “high-end” machine and one economy unit. I purchased the ST327P from my local Husqvarna Dealer Eau Claire Lawn Equipment.
When you first look at the 300 series Husqvarna snow blowers you immediately see the extra features that make this a “high-end” machine. HID-LED lights, deflector shield and included drift cutters.
Husqvarna orange is a heavy-duty powder coating that is baked on. The process is very consistent and I have yet to find an orange Husqvarna Snow Blower where the powder coating is flaking off.
Right Front View. The 27 inch front housing is 22 1/2 inches high. It is a lot taller than you old snow blower and can handle deeper drifts than just about any other snow blower.
Right Rear View. The 300 series is Husqvarna’s heavy-duty line. It has the heavy-duty control cables and rods so you will never have to replace cables. I’ll go through the other strengths later in this article
Tall intake for the “Big One” All of the Husqvarna 300 series snow blowers have a 22 1/2 inch tall intake. This allows the snow blowers to take on the toughest snow falls and drifts. The big gray piece is not a weight. It’s a decorative cover.
A view you will get used to. The operator’s position has a nice clear view of the snow blower and what’s going on in front. Even the tall discharge chute does not get in the way.
Front of Dash. Simple poly dash. Yes, the dash is plastic but I have not heard of any consoles that have cracked or broke including the 1830EXLT that I have used for the last 3 years. This model was new last year but Husqvarna used the good parts off the previous machines to make their best snow blower yet. The dash is one of those components. By the way I like the HID-LED lighting a lot on this snow blower. The eight individual bulbs are angled so that they shine wide and far. The Ariens Halogen with its mirrored reflector is the only other snow blower light that comes close to this one.
Husqvarna uses LCT engines. This 291 cc engine delivers 14.5 ft lbs of torque and is rated to give up to 4 times the life of your old engine. Cast iron cylinder, ball bearing crankshaft bearings make this one of the most dependable engines you can buy on a snow blower. By the way 291 cc is the right size on this snow blower. It gives you plenty of power to blow the deep snow but offers better fuel economy so you are not complaining that the gas tank is always empty.
The Husqvarna engines (LCT) are designed to run on unleaded fuel up to E10 (10%) ethanol blends. Never use E15 or E85 fuels in small gas engines like this one. Many areas of the country are now offering E10, E15 and E85 from the same pump so double-check to make sure you are getting the E10 blend.
The hard to use oil drain. Yes, it is the back of the engine where it should be but as usual with most snow blowers – it’s too short. I really wish ALL of the brands would spend an extra 10 cents on a longer pipe so the oil drain sticks out far enough so the oil is easy to drain without it getting all over the machine.
Where’s the dipstick? The next picture will tell you where Husqvarna hid it.
While I’m ranting about changing the oil I want to discuss checking the oil. There is a tall fill tube on the top of the engine but you check the oil using the old-style oil port on the lower right side of the engine. You unscrew the black plug and the dipstick is located there. My question to Husqvarna: Did the clerk who ordered these engines just make a mistake on the order form or is there an actual reason why you went “old school?”
The gray lever under the red choke is the idle control. Manufactures want you to run the engine at full speed when you are blowing snow. This keeps the engine at optimal power and reduces clogging when blowing heavy, wet snow. Husqvarna includes a convenient lever so you can if you have to take that “important” phone call you can idle the engine when you walk away from the snow blower.
Husqvarna uses a muffler system that is a lot quieter than the one on your old snow blower. The engine is not a twin cylinder, ( I actually had a salesman tell me that once) the muffler has two outlets so it is as free-flowing as possible.
Enough about the engine – now on to the dash or console. Like the Ariens the free hand control is on the left. What that means is if you are out blowing snow and want to move the chute you can take your right hand off the impeller handle and use it to change the chute and deflector position on the fly. This is the opposite of the MTD built machines. I’ll go over the individual controls in the next pictures.
Speed control for the hydrostatic transmission. You can change the speed on the ST327P in one fluid motion all the way from full reverse to full speed forward without going through notches or a set of “gates.” You can also adjust the speed on the fly so if you are going too slow or a little too fast you can take your right hand off the impeller lever and move the speed control. I like to tap it with the palm of my hand to change the speed just a little. The 300 series Husqvarna’s have one unique feature I am not aware any other snow blower has. You can adjust the reverse speed. If you do a lot of backing up and the snow blower is backing up too slow for you the control rods are adjustable. It’s a wrench adjustment but’s it’s a great feature for some of you.
Here is proof that at least one computer tech helped to design this snow blower. This is the hand warmer switch. O is off I is on. By the way these get nice and warm. You can feel them through winter gloves.
There is a trigger under each handle. These are the power steering levers. If you want to steer left pull the left trigger – go right pull the right one. If you can walk behind this snow blower and use your hands you can drive this machine.
The chute rotation is the lever in the middle of the dash. The deflector control is the left lever. To use these you push in on the handle and then move it. Husqvarna built in quite a few notches so you can put the snow exactly where you want it. The deflector won’t keep riding up like it does on the MTD built 4-way chute control.
One last picture about the dash. This is a very good example of finding the right snow blower for you. The handle in the front of the picture is an Ariens. The handles in the back are the Husqvarna ST327P. The handles on the Ariens point straight back – the handles on the Husqvarna tilt down. The Husqvarna’s handles are easier on your wrists if you are using the snow blower for a long time. Your wrists are lined up with the rest of your arm. Sounds like a no-brainer as which one is better? Not quite. Even though the front of the two snow blowers weighs the same the Ariens feels lighter when you go to raise the front up. The way the handles on the Ariens are positioned make it feel lighter in the front than the Husqvarna. So…if you have a long driveway to clean you may like the Husqvarna’s handles better because your wrists are in a normal position. But if you have a complex area to clear and have to turn the snow blower a lot you may like the Ariens straight handles better. (If you understand why a snow blower is designed a certain way it makes it easier to decide if that snow blower is the best choice for you)
Let’s stop by and visit the underside of the snow blower before we move around to the front. Hydro-Gear 1310-1001 Hydrostatic Transmission. This is the best hydro transmission you can get for a wheeled snow blower. (The tracked versions use a different hydro) This transmission is a completely sealed, one piece unit that integrates the power steering. You will never have to do any maintenance on this trans. Yes, it’s more expensive than the gear drive systems but worth every penny if you want to never worry about performing any maintenance. By the way the black plastic cover that covers this transmission is just cosmetic and used to make the snow blower look good. Don’t feel this snow blower is a lower quality because it does not have a metal cover like many of the gear drive units. The gear drive units have to keep snow and dirt out of the trans. This trans is completely sealed.
The transmission and impeller drive pulleys. The orange rod in the picture is the impeller housing hanger. This rod makes it very easy to realign the housing to the transmission when changing belts. It makes the Husqvarna 300 series easy to repair yourself.
Wing nuts on handles. If you need to drop the handles down for storage in the summer the wing nuts make the task easier. It’s still a 10 minute job so you won’t want to plan on doing this in the winter. Be sure you check these nuts when you first get your new snow blower and after the first few times you use it.
All of the cables and control rods are heavy-duty commercial grade. Springs are covered to protect them from twigs and branches.
Some snow blowers use a bolt that screws into the end of the axle to hold the wheel on, others use a key and clip. Husqvarna uses a pin and safety clip. Simple to use….it never rusts onto the axle.
15 X 4 tires are just the right size for this snow blower
Ariens Deluxe/Platinum 16X4 tire on left. Husqvarna ST300 series 15X4 tire on right. Both work equally well.
The 300 series Husqvarna snow blowers come with both steel and poly shoes.
I have two real complaints about the Husqvarna ST327P. The oil drain and the poly skid shoes. Neither complaint is a “don’t buy” issue but I have to rant about them anyway. The poly skid shoes are junk. They are too small, too flimsy and not worth installing on the snow blower. When it comes to poly skid shoes the Cub Cadet Cool Blue shoes are the best, then the heavy-duty Ariens poly and then the Craftsman. I’m going to find a way to mount either the Ariens or Craftsman poly shoes on this snow blower and throw the supplied shoes in the trash!
Drift Cutters are included. Drift cutters cut deep drifts ahead of the auger housing so the snow drops down in front of the snow blower instead of over the back. With todays tall housing designs (sorry Simplicity owners) 90% of us will never use these. I suggest if you don’t need them take them off and store them in your garage. If you do need them please check the wing nuts every time you use your snow blower. The stamped wing nuts have a habit of vibrating loose.
Your new Husqvarna Snow Blower uses four shear pins. It comes with six extra in their own little toolbox between the engine and the discharge chute. After you check them out don’t forget to make sure the cover is latched. Don’t worry, I’ll show you where they go.
Poly discharge area. If you look at many old snow blowers this area has holes worn through it or major dents that keep the old machine from working at its peak. Husqvarna chose to install a replaceable poly discharge. The poly discharge also doubles as a bearing for the discharge chute so you don’t have to grease this area anymore. Aerodynamically Husqvarna has realized that all the snow is ejected from the blower at the rear so their discharge opening is a little smaller than other brands. No, It does not clog in wet heavy snow.
Full width chute brace. The chute brace for the hanging chute is one of the strongest.
The top bracket of the hanging chute doubles as the connection for the chute rotation cables. The chute cables are commercial grade and sealed so they don’t freeze up in the winter.
For the chute to rotate more than 180 degrees there is a notch in the bottom and a rubber flap to keep the snow from running out the corner of the chute. In my experience using this for the last three years it works well. It a nice little detail that allows you to put the snow exactly where you want it.
Here is a detail that separates the mid-priced snow blowers from the high-end machines. The cable is heavy-duty. The end of the cable is a large steel eye. The end of the cable is booted completely so no moisture can get into the cable and freeze it. This cable will work in any temperature.
Like all of the high-end snow blowers the ST327 includes a rubber flap in the metal deflector hinge to keep the snow from blowing out the cracks but there is more….
The rubber flap on the end of the deflector adds just a few inches and really makes your snow blowing task better! Have you ever blown light fluffy snow and have it hook right off the end of the deflector and right into your face? It can get so bad that you are instantly blinded from that fine cold snow. Aerodynamically, the snow coming out the end of the discharge is creating a lift effect at that edge and the snow is trying to fill that low pressure area. The rubber boot over the end of the discharge breaks up that low pressure area and helps to keep most of the snow from blowing in your face.
Finally we reach the front end. I’ll bet you thought we would never get here! The hole you see in this picture is a drain hole. As you know the snow flowing through the snow blower will actually heat the impeller housing up. When you are done clearing your snow many times that housing cools down and the snow/water will freeze your impeller solid. If there is no drain hole that means the next time you go to use your blower it won’t work and before you realize what’s wrong you burn out or break a drive belt. Even though there is a drain hole I still use a heat lamp to dry out the entire front of the snowblower when I’m done clearing snow. Woods 18/2-Gauge Clamp Lamp with Bulb Guard
Yes, it’s a cast iron gearbox. They just painted it silver
Front auger shear bolts. If you have ever owned a Simplicity snow blower you will appreciate one little feature Husqvarna does not advertise about these bolts. The hole on the inside shaft is elongated just a little bit. This not only helps the shear bolt to eject properly if it ever breaks but it makes it a lot easier to replace. With some of the other brands it can be an almost impossible task to line up the holes to put the new shear pin in place. There is a shear bolt on each side of the front gearbox. Be sure to replace them with an identical shear pin. Using a bolt may break your gearbox the next time you hit something.
Nice, thick scraper blade. This is easily replaceable if you like to run your front end on the pavement.
Real sealed ball bearings. No lubrication ever required.
Center gearbox brace. If one is good – is two better? (on the Ariens) You decide. There is no torsional/twisting load on this brace so one is enough. If you have ever owned a snow blower that had one too many rocks run through it you know why this brace is here. It keep the front auger from bouncing up and down.
In My Opinion: In the last few years Ariens, Husqvarna and Cub Cadet/MTD have all figured out that you can get considerably more snow through a two stage snow blower if you increase the engine size and figure out a way to get more snow to the impeller. Ariens added a small amount of horsepower and changed the impeller in the SHO models. The rest of their snow blower did not need a redesign. Husqvarna changed from a closed flight front auger (which meters the snow) to an open flight and changed the impeller from a three-blade paddle to a four blade cupped design. This improved their system well enough that they did not need to add a lot of horsepower. Cub Cadet added lots of horse power, kept the closed flight auger but increased the speed on the two center flights (the 3rd stage) to force more snow into the impeller. Toro’s 2-stage snow blowers use a completely different method to move snow that also works very well. They are simply four different ways of doing the same thing. Each method has it’s own benefits. Don’t be fooled that one method is “lightyears” ahead of the other systems. To figure out which snow blower is for you always take a look at the entire snow blower, the brand, the service and the parts to find the best snow blower for you. By the way: Briggs& Stratton/Simplicity hasn’t changed anything – yet. By the way: I don’t know if the new Honda 2-stage snow blowers are better than the older versions at moving snow. By the way: The Chinese snow blower manufacturers appear to believe we will buy anything – if it’s cheap enough. Now back to the review: Remember, I said this snow blower uses four shear pins. Two are used on the auger up front. The other two are used here. If a rock, brick, shoe or garden hose makes it into the snow blower these bolts will shear to protect the impeller from damage.
Husqvarna switched from the closed flight auger to an open flight system with the new 300 series. Open flight augers allow more air to be mixed with the snow – making it lighter and easier to flow through the snow blower. It reduces clogs and actually lets more snow through.
Last but not least. I have had quite a few people get confused by that nice gray piece on the top of the auger housing. That is not a weight. It’s simply a plastic cover to make the front of the snow blower look good… Since you made it this far thanks and feel free to ask any questions in the comments below.
CLIFF
Hi Paul, great review it really helped me. I’ve pretty much narrowed my decision to the Huskvarna st324p. You had mentioned in another comment that it was a good solid machine. That’s exactly what I want. What time of the year do you think I could get the best deal on it? Are there generally big rebates in the off-season?
Thanks!!
Paul
Hi Cliff, Now is the best time. If there are any sales or discounts it always happens between Sept 15 and November 30th. In addition, some brands may offer an extended warranty.
Snow blowers don’t use model years – they may keep the same model for 5 or more years. There are usually never any rebates of sales in the offseason (Sears is the only store that does) because most inventory is owned by the dealerships – not the manufacturer.
Christopher
Hi Paul,
Have you any concerns with the impeller being cast iron? How do you think it will hold up to a small rock or some frozen surprises from the dog?
Thank you for a great review.
Paul
Hi Christopher, I don’t have any concerns. It’s been out two seasons now and I have not had anyone state they have broken the impeller. I think the only way to break it is a softball sized rock.
al
Rob –
Are you the other poster on SBF that I was posting about re: my interlock issues.
In my case, it turns out, I was just simply missing the whole ~interlock spring~ and the associate bit’s that affix it to the unit. The catch plate was on was Auger Handlebar.
Still waiting on Husq. parts to deliver them. It’s been about 10 days already, they have not shipped it yet, as they are waiting on 1 part that is supposedly on backorder….
If you are not other poster, than you would be the 2nd other person I’ve come across that either has it missing or had it gone missing. In my case, mine was missing from the get-go. When you get your replacement parts, do like I plan to do, and make sure whatever affixes this interlock spring, a little bit of Loctite doesn’t hurt….and may mitigate it from it going missing down the road
Robert
February 6, 2016
Paul
Like Al (Jan. 24,2016), the interlock on my ST327P purchased late 2015 has failed. Similar failures are recently described on another snow blower forum. I wonder if there is a manufacture flaw.
Cheers,
Robert
Paul
Hi Robert, I’d talk to your dealer and see if they have time to repair it. I did read that one person had a broken one right out of the box but I’ve had 4 of the 300 series now and have not had an issue with them.
al
Paul –
Do you mind posting on the site, or via email on how the Auger Control looks like with the Interlock Working.
I looked at mind as my Auger Control Lock is not working….still need to tinker, but cannot figure it out.
I see the catch plate on Auger Lever, and then the rod from the Drive that runs under the control panel.
I just can’t see how that rod should move or not…..whatever the case may be, my Auger Control won’t lock.
Pretty bummed as that was sorta the beauty about having the Hydro and being able to throttle F/R.
Any help is much appreciated.
thanks
Paul
Hi al, I tried taking pictures but I just couldn’t get a good pict. I suggest going into a Husqvarna dealer and ask them to let you look.
al
Does adjusting the control lower affect the top speed going forward – aka, less, since the travel *up* is now decreased ?
1st time using it and yes, reverse is a tad slow.
Figuered it was a easy mod, so out came the wrenches.
I suspect it has Red Loctite on it…as it was a bear to budge.
Gave up and decided to attack it when I had more patience.
Too busy trying to get the snow all cleaned up
Paul
Hi Al, Yes, it is put on tight. Yes. The faster the reverse – the slower the top forward speed. Enjoy, the snow!
Sylvain
I already have this snowblower, i have 200 feet and 2 cars wide way to clean and patio. It works great ! i would like to know if its hard to set faster reverse please. Im french so excuse my english 🙂
Paul
Hi Sylvain. Yes, You can adjust the reverse on the ST327P. Loosen the fastener in the picture.
Manny
Hi Paul
I live in northeastern RI, (Cumberland) my driveway is approximately 70′ by 30′, and I tend to err on the side of caution having the engineering background that I do. What can you tell me about the Dirty Hand Tools 30″ Dual Stage Snow Thrower. I have been torn between the Toro Power Max HD 1028, Huqvarna 330, and the Ariens Platinum SHO 30″, but the prices on these seem to be similar, and non negotiable. I am also partial to the higher end Craftsman line, but then I come across this Dirty Hand Tools name brand that I have never heard of, and there are several other brands that make their price points easier to deal with financially. While I would always choose quality, durability, piece of mind, and performance, paying more for anything doesn’t guarantee that you are buying the best. What are your thoughts about these other seemingly more price competitive models?
Paul
Hi Manny, The Dirty Hand Tools snow blower is a far east import. The company itself is a U.S. Company out of Colorado and it looks like they bought a couple of container loads of imports. If you want to take the chance of not getting parts for a couple of years……
Cumberland averages only around 40 inches of snow so I can suggest just about any good 2-stage snow blower for you. The Toro 1028 and Husqvarna ST330P are overkill.
The extra power of the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO is nice but in reality the Deluxe 28 with the 254 cc engine will do the job well. The only time you would feel the need for the extra power is when you get 15-20 inches of heavy snow.
If you wanted to stay with the heavy-duty machines you could easily go with the Toro Power Max HD 826 OHXE or the 928 OHXE. They have plenty of capacity and are about the same power/inch as the Ariens Deluxe 28.
Any of these machines will get the job done well and throw snow 40-50 feet.
I could easily suggest a good residential grade if you would like to save money. The 30 inch Husqvarna ST230P, Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP and Craftsman 88696 are good snow blowers. They don’t throw quite as far or clear snow as fast as the heavy-duty machines, but they are still good choices.
zoneiii
Thanks, Paul! Good information.
I noticed something different between my machine and the one you show here. I have 15x5x6 tires, not 15x4x6 tires you show. Maybe Husqvarna just made a change along the way. The reason I noticed it is because I was looking for chains for my tires after using the machine for the first time today and I had a lot of tire slippage. In fairness, it was only about 4 inches of snow and there was a mild incline at the end of my driveway where it slipped. Hopefully it won’t spin the tires so much when we get deeper snow. Even so, I think I may go with chains.
On a positive note, I mentioned I got my snowblower because the doctor said an EKG said I had a heart attack. It turns out that I didn’t have one after all. I go to doctors about once ever ten years (if that) so that put a scare into me. Now I have this nice snow blower but don’t really need it after all! 🙂 Oh well, I love machines so it was a good excuse to get this one.
Paul
Hi Zoneiii, The manufactures are always changing little things that we don’t know about until we take the snow blower out of the box. In addition their websites are usually months behind. That said, if you are having a hard time finding a set, here are some: 15x6x6 , 15×6.00-6 Snow Mud Traction TIRE CHAINS, 2-Link Spacing
.
Glad to hear the doctors were wrong. At least you now have a great snow blower.
Brian Lager
Hi Paul.
Yesterday and today my new ST330P got a good work out. I am impressed. Having owned various blowers over the last forty five years this one has beaten them all hands down. First the power, nothing stops this baby. Second, the controls are a pleasure to use including the hand warmers. Third, the distance the snow gets fired, awesome.
Overnight the snow plough fairies arrived and magically filled everyone’s driveway with their offerings. Absolutely no problem for this unit. The snow was hard packed and frozen (minus 10C) didn’t faze this creature at all. Cleared the snow down to the asphalt as if there had been nothing there. Thanks for the advise you gave myself and many others. Another storm forecast for tomorrow, can’t wait. Must admit one booboo. When I first started the machine and toddled off down the driveway, the engine quit. Now what? My wife shouted to me “Did you fill it with gas after the last storm?” Oops!!! I was so enthusiastic to get moving I had completely forgotten to check the gas.Lesson learned. One. check gas. Two, listen to your wife.
Chris
HI Paul – I really enjoy your website. You have tremendous reviews, knowledge depth and experience. I’m looking for your recommendation. I currently have my dad’s late 1980’s Ariens ST824s. It’s always been stored in a garage until he handed it down to me about three years ago. I don’t have a garage but keep it covered outside. So it’s been maintained well and it seems to be running okay, but is old and concerned about reliability. I live in central Massachusetts and last year it worked well through an unusual heavy snow season.
My concerns about my current blower is that it is really really loud, the engine has an oscillating idle to it (it use to have a steadier idle) and the chute control assembly has seen better days. I’m handy but not experienced with gas motors or systems, so I would probably have to send it out for everything except tweaking the chute assembly. And am I better off maintaining this one or replacing it?
My criteria for a replacement would include: similar performance, hopefully it would be a quieter unit, similar durability, longevity and reliability. I’m looking forward to some kind of turning/steering aid (because I’m tired of wrestling to turn), better chute controls and a light for after work snow clearing runs. I’ve looked at the Craftsman quiet engine models, but not convinced it will perform or last like an Ariens would. And then recently, through your website, noticed that Husqvarna’s feature a quiet muffler and might be more of what I’m looking for. I also I have no issue going for another Ariens, but not sure how they compare with noise levels. I don’t have a budget yet, and could probably justify anything around $1600 if the features and life cycle value is there. Spending less is fine by me, but I think I’m in the heavy-duty category.
Thanks,
Chris
Paul
Hi Chris, The replacement for your 824 is the Ariens Deluxe 24. It has all the features you want and the muffler is quieter than your old machine. (about 90 db at your ear) It’s $999 at your local dealer.
I have a 302 cc Ariens and a 291 cc Husqvarna here. Side by side the noise level is almost identical. Using my trusty Craftsman DB meter they are within one db of each other.
If you want to keep you old machine: Go to an automotive store and get a can of Sea Foam SF-16 Motor Treatment
.
Put 2 tablespoons right into the gas tank and then fill the tank with fresh fuel. Run the engine for 10 minutes. Did the idle straighten out? If it didn’t you are looking at $85 plus labor for a new carb and about $50 for a new muffler. If you decide to sell it you should be able to get $3-400 on Craigslist over the next month. Keep asking, I’ll keep answering.
Scott
Paul,
I own my own business and want to clear my parking lot myself. I live in Columbus,Ohio so we can get no snow one year and buried the next. My lot is approx. 5000 sq ft. Relatively flat with a small incline from the road up to the flat parking area. My two biggest needs are throwing distance and speed. I want to clear it as fast as possible. I’m thinking the wider the width the faster I can clear, but some have told me otherwise.
Paul
Hi Scott, Wider is better but only up about 30 inches. Over that and the snow blowers can be big, heavy and hard to handle. For example, the 45 inch Troy-Bilt/Craftsman/Cub Cadet snow blowers are too big. Even with dual wheels they have poor traction.
In Columbus you don’t need a heavy-duty snow blower for you size parking lot but you do want one that will last you 10 years or more. The snow blowers I’ll suggest are easy enough to use that you employees will be fighting for who gets to use them. So I’ll give you a few.
1. Troy-Bilt 3090 XP. This model is sold at Lowes or at Troy-Bit.com it’s wide enough to clear you lot fast and powerful enough to handle even your worst storms. It has the electric chute control. I like the Troy-Bilt’s because they have the large skid shoes so they wear very well. You can also add poly shoes that won’t leave rust stains.
2. Troy-Bilt 3090. This model is sold at Amazon and Northern Tool. It has the 4-way chute instead of the electric. Some people would prefer the mechanical chute. You can order it here: Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 357cc 4-cycle Electric Start Two-Stage Snow Thrower
3. Husqvarna ST330P. This snow blower has been proving to be a great machine. It will also work very well for your area. I think Lowes carries it but here is a link to Amazon. My readers and I have had really good luck buying through Amazon: ST330P at Amazon
Scott
Thanks Paul. I’m thinking I’ll go with the Husqvarna ST330P. You link takes me to the ST230P. I want you to get credit for my purchase. Can you shoot me another link?
Thanks for the recommendation. You steered me in the right direction and saved me from overspending on a machine that would’ve been to big.
Scott
Paul
Hi Scott, The ST330P is nice! I have the ST327P here and it is one of my favorite heavy-duty 2-stage snow blowers.
Here’s the link: HUSQVARNA OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT ST330P 30 In. Snow T
Scott
Wow. ST330P was ordered on Saturday and delivered on Wednesday. Easy assembly and ready to go. A truly awesome looking machine. I have no doubt it will tackle anything we get. Thanks for the suggestion and link for purchase. Very easy!
Paul
Hi Scott, Excellent! Later this winter please stop by and tell us how well it works for you.
Andy
I live in NJ with a 150 ft driveway that slopes down to an approximately 30×30 area at the bottom. Also have a 100ft sidewalk. I am looking at the Toro HD1028 and the Husqvarna ST327P but also was considering the ST230P if it will do the job. I had a 24in Toro that lasted 30 years but like both brands.
Paul
Hi Andy, Size-wize they are all a good choice but the amount of snow you get will make the difference. Where you live in NJ depends whether the ST230P is a good choice. It’s designed for 60 inches or so a year. The other two will handle a lot more. Check you average snow fall for your area.
John Galt
Hi Paul,
I have to say that I’ve been doing a lot of research but you reviews and insights are by far the best. I have a question regarding witch model of Husqvarna snow blower would you recommend. I have a inclined driveway that runs about 300ft and is about 12ft wide and then about 500ft of private drive to get to the street. I’m considering the Husqvarna ST 230P and ST 327P. I wanted to get an engine with at least 291cc’s. I live in Virginia and while we don’t always get a ton of snow every year we can get dumped on pretty good and the snow is usually wet and heavy. I’m leaning toward the 327 mainly for less maintenance and longevity, especially since the price difference is that great. Thanks in advance for you help.
John G
Paul
Hi John, The ST230 is not designed for that large of an area to clear. The ST327P is. Hang a spare impeller belt and a bag of shear pins on the wall of your garage and you are good to go for years. With that large of an area to clear please change the oil every year.
John Galt
Thanks so much Paul for taking the time to reply to me, I’ll definitely cross the ST230 off my list. I do have one follow up question for you. I have a shed out in the backyard which is where I’ll be storing the snowblower, Is the transmission able to run without the augers engaging when I move it from the shed to the drive way or if I walk it over to my neighbors to do their driveway? Again thanks for the exceptional info.
John
Paul
Hi John, Yes.
Tim Rissler
Fantastic review of the Husqvarna ST327P, Paul. I have to say I am still having a difficult time selecting a snowblower. I live in Eastern Ontario. Our snow can be 5″ to 20″. My biggest concern is the drifts and the end of the laneway. The city snow plows can leave quite a mess at the end of my drive. I am contemplating either the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO or the Husqvarna ST324P. The Ariens has the more powerful motor and the Auto Turn (is it better than the power steering that Husqvarna offers)? Yet my dealer said Husqvarna with the Hydrostatic transmission is worth investing in. Anything you can add to help in my decision?
Paul
Hi Tim, That is really a tough choice. They are both great machines.
I would suggest the ST324P over the Ariens if you have a lot of maneuvering to do. With a little experience you can change the speed of the hydro and even go into reverse without stopping the snow blower. That’s the only advantage over the Ariens. Dealers will tell you the hydro is better – but compared to the Ariens Deluxe and Platinum – it’s not. Other Brands have had issues with friction drives over the years but the Ariens Deluxe/Platinum transmission is bulletproof.
But…The Ariens Platinum overall is one tough snow blower and probably the toughest, highest capacity 24 inch snow blower. With the large engine and the SHO impeller it will never stop blowing snow and it will throw that snow farther than any other snow blower. The Auto-Turn requires no thought (or pulling triggers) you just move the handles in the direction you want to go and it goes there. The friction drive transmission never gives anyone a problem but a few people have complained with the large 16 inch tires it’s a little fast in 2nd and 3rd gear.
Tim Rissler
Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question, Paul. Much appreciated.
Pavel
Hi Paul, thank you very much for this thorough review. Can you please advise on what is more appropriate for me:
I have about 3000sqf that I want to shovle. This includes driveway + patio + sidewalks. We just recently moved to Nashua, NH, and I never used snow blower before. Based on your reviews I am torn between ST 230P and ST 327P. In either case I will order it at lowe’s website.
230p is bigger and cheaper, but st327p has taller auger.
Paul
Hi Pavel, Why would I want to help you find a snow blower at Lowes? They have chosen not to do business with this website. More importantly, why do I have four snow blowers that they sell in my garage? Because it’s not about me – it’s about finding the right snow blower for you.
The 200 series Husqvarna’s are residential machines. They work well in areas that get 20-50 inches of snow a year but are not heavy-duty enough for areas that get more than that. Yes, the ST230 is wider but it has a smaller engine and lighter duty components than the 300 Series.
The ST327P and ST330P will last for you. The ST230P won’t and you will be replacing it in less than five years. Many owners of the ST224, ST227 and ST230 listened to the Lowes shelf stock person and bought them but many of them ended up in a repair shop after the first big snow.
zoneIII
By the way, I should have mentioned that your site was a huge help in choosing a snow blower. Even though I have a fairly long driveway and I’m on a state highway where the state plows leave huge walls of snow at the street, I just always shoveled by hand. I’m 66 and I made one of my very rare visits to the doctor for a physical and he said it looks like I had a heart attack recently so I figured that was a good excuse to add another tool to my collection. 🙂 (I’m a tool freak!) Actually, I f feel fine and I suspect the doctor is wrong but it’s still a good excuse.
I have a question for you. I should probably ask this in a more general area of your site but I’m here so here goes: I’ve read about and I ran across YouTube videos showing how to modify the impeller by adding heavy rubber or plastic (like the stuff mud flaps are made of) to the edges of the impeller to prevent snow and ice build up in the impeller housing and, supposedly, to throw snow farther. What do you think of that? Have you done it yourself? I’m not planning on doing it to my new machine but if it does plug up, I might consider it in the future but I’d like to have your opinion about that first.
Thanks for putting together this great site.
Paul
Hi Zonelll, At lot of snow blowers made before 2000 had a lot of clearance inside the machine. That was supposed to keep them from clogging up as much. Instead it just caused wet and heavy snow to build up inside the machine. Adding the rubber paddles reduced that clearance helping those older machines to throw better.
Todays snow throwers, especially Ariens SHO, Husqvarna 300, MTD 3-stage and Toro PowerMax HD machines have tighter clearances inside the impeller. In addition they have 4 blade or specially designed impellers that throw snow better than the older machines. They have actually figured out that the newer snow blowers can throw a lot more snow by getting the snow into the impeller faster and then having higher horsepower engines to throw it consistently.
Rob @ RHHS
Hi Paul, thanks for the review. This machine is on my short list. My question is: is it up to the job? I own a small handy-service company. This year I’ll be offering snow blowing as a service here in the Boston area. I hope to have a rotation of 10-12 customers as this seems like a good workable number to start with. The snow blower needs to drive on and off my truck easily and be durable for the job.
Other machines on I’m looking at are the Ariens 28 Pro Hydro and the equivalent Hondas. I’m not sure if the tracked models are overkill or not, and or if their tracks will have a lack of manuverbility that will end up being a pain. The Husqvarna is about $800 less than these others I mentioned so I worry about why is so inexpensive in comparison.
Any input you might have wold be great.
Paul
Hi Rob, The only snow blowers listed as commercial are the Ariens Hydro Pro, the Toro 1028 and the Toro Power Clear® 721 R-C. Everything else is designed for single family use. That said, the ST327P is as strong as all the other heavy duty machines like the Ariens Platinum.
It will last but you will need to change skid shoes more often than the Hydro Pro. I would keep a set of belts, shear pins and watch the shear bar for excessive wear. Be sure to change the oil at regular intervals. If you hit anything and get a vibration after be sure you find out what is bent and get that part replaced. With 10-12 driveways be sure you price your work so that you can replace your snow blowers every 3-4 years and you will do ok.
Be sure your dealer can get parts quickly. There is nothing worse than having 10 driveways to clear and have to wait a week for parts. If you are smart you will have a backup snow blower available just in case you find that garden hose or brick that takes out your auger. Walk your properties and mark the stuff that will break your snow blower. Here is a good source of driveway markers. Blazer 381ODM-24 Reflective Driveway Marker – 48-Inch Fiberglass Pole – Orange – 24-Pack
By the way, I have no clue why Honda wants so much for their snow blowers
Adrian
Hi Paul, thanks for the great site! I’m considering purchasing my first snow blower. I live in eastern Canada, we get about 90 inches of snow per year (last year we had over 125 inches, though!). We have a flat, asphalt driveway approx. 15×70 ft. I’ve been looking at the Husqvarna ST 227P. How well would this work given the amount of snow we get? Would it just take longer to clear than a heavier unit? Otherwise, I’m also considering the Ariens Deluxe 28 (or 28 SHO), Husqvarna ST 327P, and Toro Power Max HD 1028. Locally, the ST 227P is $1350 ($50 rebate), Deluxe 28 is $1650 (28 SHO is $1800), ST 327P is $2049, and the Toro 1028 is $2350. Arians is currently throwing in an extra 2 years warranty (5 total) while Toro is adding an extra year (4 years total). Which of these would work well for our climate/driveway? I’d like something that lasts for 15+ years and is relatively low maintenance. Thanks!
Paul
Hi Adrian, In my opinion the residential snow blowers like the ST 227P are designed for average snowfalls less than 60 inches. Last year the owners in the Boston area found it had a tendency to burn out the engine-impeller belt in heavy snow.
The Deluxe 28 is strong enough to last for years clearing your snow. It is definitely worth the extra $300 over the ST227P. The SHO version with it’s larger engine will do the job faster. I have a feeling if you get the Deluxe 28 you will always wish you purchased the SHO with the larger engine. Where you live the Deluxe 28 and Deluxe 28 SHO are the best value for the money.
There seems to be about $500 difference between the U.S. and Canadian prices on snow blowers. So the Husqvarna ST327 and Toro 1028 are priced correctly.
The Ariens and the Toro have the best reputation for long life and the quality of the snow blowers you have selected carries that reputation on with a well-built quality unit. You can’t go wrong with either the Toro or the Ariens.
Adrian
Thanks, Paul! A local Toro dealer says the 1028 currently has a promotional price of $2266 (plus the extra 1 year warranty). Is it worth the extra $466 over the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO? Is the Toro less likely to get clogged? Beyond hand warmers, they seem pretty comparable spec wise.
Paul
Hi Adrian, Spec-wise yes they look the same. Actually using them – that’s a different story.
The Toro is balanced so it is one of the easiest to maneuver. The Ariens is heavier on the front – that makes it work very well for hard-packed snow but smaller people have a harder time turning it. If you have hard packed snow or want to install a cab on the Toro you add a front weight.
Because the Toro is balanced all the weight is over the wheels so it has the best traction. If you have a sloping driveway it will go up it the best. If the Ariens (or others) have issues going up the slope you add chains.
Neither one will clog but the Toro has a unique anti-clog system that does it without extra horsepower.
The Quick-Stick chute controls on the Toro are better than anything else. It’s super fast, super easy to use, and doesn’t break. It stays exactly where you aim it. If I had the chance to build the “perfect” 2-stage snow blower it would have the Quick-Chute on it.
I can’t tell you if it’s worth the extra money. You’ll have to figure that out yourself. Dependability and capacity wise they are both exceptional snow blowers. In ease of use the Toro wins.
Tom Johnston
I just took delivery on a Husqvarna ST327P last night. I’m very impressed with it’s build quality. I completely agree with you about the short drain pipe. I’ll probably replace it with a longer one or add an extension. The way it’s positioned, it’s hard to get anything under it to prevent oil from spilling all over the rear of unit. A piece of plastic cut from a liter soda bottle or something similar would probably do the trick but I think I’ll just replace the pipe. I like to change the oil on new machines after their first use to get rid of any metal particles, etc., that may be left from the manufacturing process so I’ll probably change the pipe then.
As for the oil level check method with this machine: Actually, I really appreciate this feature. I’ve always found it a PITA to check the oil level after filling it when the level stick is attached to the oil fill cap. When adding oil, oil gets on the sides of the tube and that can rub on the dipstick making it hard to read. In my opinion, it’s much easier to get a clear check of the level with the setup of this machine. The same setup is used on my lawnmower and my rototillers although the rototillers also use that port for adding and draining oil. Still, I find it much easier to get a confident read of the oil level with this setup.
I checked the machine out and it started on the first pull. I had to lower the skid plates about 2/3rds of the way to raise the scraper bar because I have a gravel driveway but it’s pretty smooth and compressed. I may tweak that when I see how it works.
Paul
Hi Tom, Excellent! I like your idea of the pop bottle. I think I’ll add that to the review.
I haven’t started this one yet. I’ve been too busy writing the next review. I expect it to start as easily are yours.
Chris
Hi Paul,
Do you feel the Husqvarna ST327P or Ariens 28 SHO has a better build quality? Thicker metal, better bracing, higher precision, etc. Which would you expect to last longer. Are either easier to service for a DIYer? For me, this is most important and the deciding factor.
Maybe one other thing: Which is quieter? Need to get a dB meter!
Thanks!
Paul
Hi Chris, The two brands use different types of metals so the old adage of “thicker is better” doesn’t apply. For example, Toro uses a high tensile strength steel so when you place it alongside an Ariens you think the Ariens is better because the metal is thicker. In reality the Tor is just as strong – if not stronger.
Ariens and Husqvarna use basically the same way to change the drive belts. The Husqvarna is a little easier to change because it uses two bolts and a bracket but the Ariens uses two belts so you may never need to change belts on it. Both change the shear pins the same way. Ariens uses more bolts to hold in the shear plate. The Ariens oil drain sticks out the back of the machine about a 1/4 inch more. The Ariens uses a very simple gear drive trans. The Husqvarna’s hydro is a black box – If it’s bad you change it out.
Engines are the only thing that make noise on a snow blower. Ariens, Husqvarna, and Toro’s 2-stage snow blower are all quieter than your old engine. For example the Ariens electric 2-stage they sold for a few year was so quiet you could hear the snow going through it. Both use a low-tone muffler but Husqvarna is the only brand that lists the db. You should use hearing protection with all of them.
So to answer your question, the Ariens, Husqvarna and Toro all have their good points and they are very equal in ease of service. It’s so close that it really boils dow to which name do you like the best? Or which color would you prefer sitting in your garage.
Eric
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the feedback – much appreciated. Let me ask your opinion on the Hydrostatic Transmission. Would you recommend it over the friction-disc in other blowers? I guess I’m asking because there are other blowers that piqued my interest such as the Ariens Platinum Series and the Toro Powermax HD series, but they don’t offer hydrostatic transmission. Can you list out the pros and cons of friction-disc and hydrostatic? Just want to ensure that I’m buying the right machine for my needs.
Thanks again,
Eric
Paul
Hi Eric, I’m very neutral about the hydrostatic transmissions. The Husqvarna hydro is nice because you can really crawl slow with it and you don’t have to stop the snow blower to change the speed. You can go from full speed ahead and then to full speed reverse by just moving the lever. If your area to clear gets a lot of deep drifts and then large bare patches where you can speed the snowblower up to pass over them the hydro makes the job faster.
But…The Ariens and Toro Disk drives are very strong and I never hear of one needing a repair. I have absolutely no problems recommending these to you. If your snow is more even where you basically leave the snow blower at the same speed then the disk drives are just fine. The only complaint a few owners will have with a friction disk is when you put one in 3rd or 4th gear and then engage the clutch the front end will pop off the ground for few inches.
If you don’t really need the hydro the same quality Ariens is a few hundred dollars less.
TJ Imholte
We live in the San Bernardino Mountains in southern CA. I currently have an 8HP craftsman that I have been limping along with through the last 2-3 drought winter seasons. This year is forecast to be heavy snow so its time to bite the bullet and get a new and bigger snow blower. Our drive is both concrete and blacktop with about 1/3 of the black top in tough shape and that part goes up rough 100 feet at about 40 degrees. Total length about 300 feet 1-2 cars wide. Our snow is generally very wet and heavy. We get 2-3 feet at a time and then the next day it could be 45-50 degrees outside so the bottom 3 inches is slush.
What would you buy if you were me?
Paul
Hi TJ, Did the Craftsman plug on that wet snow? If it did then I suggest a model with a large discharge and high output. You also have a large area to clear so you need a 28 or 30 inch machine. The steep part of the driveway bothers me so you may have to buy optional chains for traction.
Do you have to meet the CA-CARB requirements on snow blowers? In other words are there special models available for CA residents?
The two that I feel will work well and two that are worth considering:
The Toro 1028. This is my first choice because it meters the snow so it’s almost impossible to plug on heavy wet and it has all the weight over the drive wheels so you may not need chains. Home Depot carries this one. 1028 OHXE (38802) -Toro premium OHV 302 cc. Buy Here at The Home Depot: Toro Snow Removal Power Max HD 1028 28 in. Ohxe Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower 38802
The Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO. Big chute/discharge area. This one won’t clog. This is a dealer only model so please go to ariens.com and use the dealer locator to find a dealer near you. This one has the best traction of the Ariens models but I suggest buying the optional chains for your incline.
The Cub Cadet 3X 30 HD and the 3X 30 HD Track. These two snow blowers are the one with the yellow chute and are only sold at dealers. These are high capacity snow blowers that can handle the wet snows. I don’t recommend them often on the east coast because the snow out there tends to freeze into chunks of ice and these snow blowers have a habit of breaking shear pins on that hard snow. They will work very well for you though because they are high output machines that can blow the wet stuff well. The tracked version is the best choice and will go right up your driveway. I suggest buying a package of two of extra shear pins and have the dealer show you how to change all four. These Cub Cadet also have the highest intake so clearing a 2 foot drift can be done in one pass. Check them out here and find your local dealer here: Cub Cadet 3X 30 HD Track
al
AWESOME pictorial review.
Couple observations, questions.
Is the transmission the same on the 24, 27 and 30 wheeled.
What is different in the transmission specs for the T- Tracks model.
What is your take/opinion – whether positive, negative or neutral on the zerks on the auger shaft ?
Paul
Hi al, All the wheeled units use the same hydro trans. The tracked units use a heavier-duty trans. They have to because a tracked unit has ten times the traction (and stickiness) The tracks and larger trans is what makes them so expensive.
When you break a shear pin you want the auger to turn freely on the gearbox shaft. Ariens uses grease jerks to keep that area lubricated. Everyone else would like to you remove the shear pin once a year and oil the shaft. The grease zerk is not better or worse – it’s just easier.
al
Greasing via Zerks would not only be easier but also less messier I suppose…….unless you want to share some tricks-of-the-trade on the best way of greasing the shaft through the shear bolt hole..
Paul
@al. I never found an easy way so I just use a penetrating oil like Liquid Wrench or PB blaster and make sure it spins freely with the shear bolt out.
pnorris3Peter
Paul if you had a choice would you get the Ariens 28 SHO or this Husqvarna? I’m really struggling to decide which to get! Can you please help. Both look like awesome machines.
Keep up the great work.
Paul
Hi Peter, I will answer your questions but I won’t tell you which one to buy because there is more to owning a snow blower than just the machine. In reality, the machines (also the Toro 1028) are equal but the dealer you buy from may be the big deciding factor. Like I’ve said before I have 5 Husqvarna dealers and 3 Ariens dealers within a 30 minute drive of my house. There are only 3 of those dealers that I will do business with.
So go visit your dealers and pick the one you like the best.
Eric
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the great review – very informative as always. I have a quick question. I’m heavily considering purchasing the Husqvarna 330P for this winter as I recently moved into my home. My driveway is about 200 ft long, with an incline, and another 50’x30′ flat area at the top of the incline. I really like all of the features of the 330P, especially the Hydrostatic Transmission. I’ve also been looking at the Ariens Hydro Pro 28 as another option. I wanted to know in your opinion, is the Ariens worth the additional $800? I know it comes with the bigger Briggs and Stratton engine, and the larger augers, but wanted to get your input. Would the extra weight on the Ariens be helpful for my incline? Or do you think it would be “too much machine” for my needs. Taking money out of the equation, which one would you recommend? Appreciate the feedback.
Thanks,
Eric
Paul
Hi Eric, I don’t think the Ariens Pro’s extra weight would help. I think it would just make it harder to use. If you are willing to spend the extra money look at the Husqvarna ST330T instead. You get the big engine, everything you like about the 330P and tracks. It’s a beast and will go up and through just about anything.
I have a feeling you will like how it handles better that the Ariens Pro models.
Husqvarna 30in. Track-Drive Snow Thrower – 414cc Engine, Model# ST330T
Otherwise you can use tires chains on the ST330P Tire Chains 15 X 600 X 6
Rich
Paul as always this is an excellent and comprehensive review thanks for taking the time to do it. I really enjoy the new picture review format the reader/viewer feels like he is doing an actual walkaround of the machine. This is a nice unit and I like your comments/suggestions on the oil drain/dipstick.