Hi Steve, I’m not real happy with the ST230P right now. There is a rough pulley, idler, belt alignment issue with it. The problem was identified and the service bulletin was developed Feb 2015 but the ST230P snow blowers made this summer still have the same possible problem. Husqvarna is fixing them for free as they break but are not proactive and contacting registered owners to get the problem inspected/fixed before it breaks.

So, you have quite a bit of area to clear so the ST230P is really not the best choice anyways. Yes, Like the Troy-Bilt it will do the job but it won’t hold up like a heavy duty unit will.

For your size area to clear and amount of snow you usually get these snow blowers will last 5-7 years. (My opinion) They cost about the same as the Husqvarna ST230P

Troy-Bilt 28-30 inch 2-stage snow blowers.
Craftsman 30 inch 2-stage snow blower
Cub Cadet 28 inch 2-stage

These snow blowers cost $100-$400 more and I expect them to last 10-20 years.

Ariens Deluxe 28.
Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO
Ariens Deluxe 30
Toro PowerMax HD 928 OHXE
Toro PowerMax HD 1028 OHXE

These Husqvarna snow blowers are on the pulley issue list but once repaired are good heavy-duty units.
Husqvarna ST327P
Husqvarna ST330P

Now I am interested in purchasing a snow blower so I never have to rely on others.

He used a Troy Built, but leaning towards the Husqvarna ST230P. Driveway is aprox. 200′, open fields two sides so possible drifting, parking area for 4 vehicles & 2 utility trailers, 2 car garage, detached shop.

Both in our late 60s, but fairly active! Rather be diving in the islands than dealing with the snow but figure if I have a snow blower it won’t snow again! LOL

Any suggestions are welcome!

OH, and I plan on my good neighbor clearing his drive as well!

Steve

Hi Mike, Great! Yes, the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO is on my short list for value, quality and how well it throws snow. I hope you get just enough snow so that you can put your new toy to a good test. Take a video so you can prove to your friends how far it really throws 🙂

Hi Mike, The Ariens Deluxe 24 will handle snow as well or better as the Cub Cadet or Troy-Bilt. You will love to watch the Ariens throw a big plume of snow 50 feet or more.

The 24 is very similar to the 2015 Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO. Only the engine and width are different. You can read that review here: 2015 Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO

Hi Mike, Yes, the 3X24 likes snow and the 3X24 is getting good reviews this year. Consumer Reports likes it. I have a review of it’s fraternal twin – the Troy-Bilt Vortex here: Is a 3-stage Better Than a 2-Stage?

I get to play in some snow plow snow and near the end of the video 4 inches of heavy, wet snow.

Brian, You are very welcome. Tell your wife women drive semi’s, airplanes and aircraft carriers. The 30 inch snow blowers like the ST330P fit into the same category 🙂

I have a ST330p that became a casualty of the winter. Entirely my fault. I managed to entangle a plant wire cage and, as a consequence, bent both augers. The shear bolts did their job but I didn’t not paying attention. My local dealer picked it up right away. Ordered a new LH auger ( the right only had a small bend easily repaired) and delivered it back to me within a week. Can’t ask for better service. My experience so far this winter has been very positive. The machine has ample power and carves through the bottom of the driveway very smoothly. My only gripe is that it is a heavy machine and does require a bit of strength to operate. As my wife said, it is not for the faint of heart.
I just love the hydrostatic transmission with no gears to shift and the hand warmers are a nice touch. Once you get used to the power steering system driving it is a breeze. Like all blowers there is a learning curve but it is not too difficult to get going. At 79 years old I imagine this last me for the foreseeable future. I live in Nova Scotia and chose this because of the crappy winters we get and I need a reliable product. So far this year we have had a couple of biggies but nothing out of the ordinary. We dodged the bullet last weekend and didn’t get a single flake.
Thanks for all the information you provide. You do a great service for all of us.