Sometimes the P model has an hydrostatic transmission. Like the 327P.

Hi Rolf, The P always means power steering (trigger steer).

There is no real difference in the pads for all models last year and older. They are not as warm as other brands.

The 2019 models all have an improved, larger heating surface.

Hi Ryan, My first guess is the belt tension from the engine to the transmission is too tight. I believe to change the tension you need to lengthen the cable from the traction handle and the idler pulley. If you lost your manual, here’s a copy: http://service.webec.husqvarna.net/documents/HUSO/HUSO2017_NAen/HUSO2017_NAen_115733627_.pdf

Thanks a bunch Paul for your advise. I think an Ariens is in my future.

Hi Juan, Spend a little time moving and pushing down on the handles of the ST 327 and ST 330P and check the balance of the snow blower. Pull both steering triggers and then move it around the sales floor. Then, when you go to the Ariens dealer this afternoon. Spend a little time doing the same thing with the Deluxe 28 SHO and the Ariens Platinum 30 SHO. The Ariens doesn’t have steering triggers – the steering is automatic. (The Platinum 30 is the same price as the ST330P)

You’ll pick the Ariens just for how easy it is to use.

The Husqvarna design is getting a little dated. The Ariens uses a new style impeller that throws heavy/wet snow without clogging and will throw it farther than the Husqvarna’s.

The Ariens friction disk tranny is bulletproof and you’ll never have to work on it. In addition, the Ariens Deluxe and Platinum snow blowers use two heavy duty impeller belts so you’ll never have to worry about breaking a belt. Hydros are a good choice for commercial users but for a homeowner, the extra $300 that they cost is not really “money well spent.” I suggest not spending that extra for the hydro – instead put that money into a heavy-duty snow blower like the Ariens Platinum 30 SHO.

If you want a good snow blower for your area – buy the Deluxe SHO. If you want over-the-top power and a snow blower that you can give to your grandkids 20 years from now – buy the Ariens Platinum 30 SHO.

I live near Bangor, Maine where we get a fair amount of snow and wet snow at that. My driveway is approximately 50 ft by 50ft, pretty level and paved. We do get a large amount of snow thrown at the end of our driveway by the town plow, as we live on a pretty major road in town. Also I like to blow a maze in my backyard for my dog to do her business in the winter. I hope that this gives you a good description of what I am looking to snow blow.

Additionally I travel for work, so while I do most of the snow blowing my SO does need to do some on those occasions where I am away and we get a snow storm, she is on the smaller side of things and I want a snowblower that she can handle herself. We just sold two old snowblowers we had because she always struggled with them as they did not have Power steering.

The machines I am considering are the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO, Husqvarna ST330 (the new one with disc), Husqvarna ST327P and Husqvarna ST 330P.

I have checked the Husqvarnas as I have a local dealer (5 minutes way), and will be going to check out the Ariens this afternoon (this dealer is 30 minutes away). At first glance I don’t think I like the chute adjustment handle on the Ariens, seems that it would be difficult to adjust the chute while the blower is moving (using the right hand on a left handed handle) and this is something I do often. I guess I have also been leaning towards a hydro transmission for reliability and long term durability, but like the simplicity of the disc.

While the ST 327P looks ideal I like the larger engines of the ST 330, ST 330p and 28 SHO since I need to shoot the snow quite a distance to clear my driveway. My old blowers could not shoot the snow clear of the driveway when I was near the center causing the snow to pile near the edges and making it harder to blow the snow in those areas, so being able to throw the snow far is kind of important.

I suppose in an ideal world I’d get the ST330P, but I fear I may be going overboard and spending a lot of money when I may not need to.

In any case, I’d love to hear your opinion on the units I am considering.

Thanks a bunch!

-J

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.