Thank you Paul! I really do appreciate the help! You are amazing!!!!

Hi Jim, I like to say, “A 3-stage is not better – it’s just different.” In fact, the four models of Ariens and Toro I list will run circles around that 2X 30. For the record, the ONLY Cub Cadet that that competes with the four is the 2X 30 MAX (it also has the 14-inch auger/impeller.)
The Ariens and Toro are actually very similar in capacity and the way they work. By the way, watch this video if you haven’t yet. De;luxe 28 or 828?

The best way to explain the shear pins. If there is a frozen newspaper in your way – 1. Cub Cadet shear pins break at the slightest inkling. If it sees a newspaper – it will break. The 3X machines have a habit of breaking the hard-to-get-at back shear pins at random. 2. An Ariens will break the shear pin and protect the snowblower so nothing else breaks. Just pull the newspaper out and replace the shear pin. 3. The Toro will take the newspaper in. It will jam into the auger/impeller and kill the engine. You then get to chip that frozen mess out of the machine. The machine is tough enough that the newspaper won’t hurt it.

Paul,

As I said before you CLEARLY are the best and so knowledgeable! You nailed it my dealer said I should go with 3 stage or 2X 30 Cub….this is where he lost me.

So finally 2 question, because I had it narrowed down between these because of your articles:

– Ariens Deluxe 28 or Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO
– Toro 828 or Toro 928

Your thoughts of the sheet pins on the above models ? I know Toro doesn’t have it but I am big on best product but also most logical. Am I over thinking this?

Also it seems the Toro models have a lot of bells and whistles vs Ariens……but again as everyone says it’s the best of the best.

I trust your opinion! Thank you so much! We are so lucky to have you!

Jim

Hi Jim, For your area, you sometimes get heavy, wet snow. If you want to be able to clear 8-14 inches of that heavy, wet stuff these are the snowblowers I recommend for your size driveway.
All four are a good choice. All four of these have 14-inch auger/impellers and large metal chutes so they won’t clog. If your dealer has any one of these in stock – that’s the one to get.
– Ariens Deluxe 28 or Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO
– Toro 828 or Toro 928.

Other options are the Cub Cadet 2X 28HP – 28 inch 2-stage models and the Toro 826. These machines will clear your snow 80% of the time but there will be times when they don’t handle the heavy, wet snow well and will plug. DO NOT let the Cub Cadet dealer talk you into a 3-stage or the 2X 30 HP. The 3-stage will just make a mess with most of the 2-6 inch snows you get and the 2X 30 HP plugs very easily on heavy, wet snow.

First off I must say your site is one of the best I have seen in a long time. I live in Pennsylvania and our snow totals go up and down. However, I coming up to upgrade to from a single stage to a two stage. I have narrowed it down to Ariens, Toro and Cub Cudet. The one thing I get come back to is sheer pins, it seems like this is can a issues that can happen at a very inconvenient time. I have a decent size driveway about 8 cars with a slight slope. However, everyone keeps telling me have to go with Ariens it’s the best of the best. Then….my snowblower service guy is now a dealer of Cub Cudet….so you know how that is going. I know it is a vague question but what you do? I have read all your articles about all 3 makers new 2020 upgrades. I think I am on information overload 🙂 Thank you so much

Jim

Hi Fred, The Ariens Compact 20 is a good snowblower and it’s the ONLY 20 inch I recommend. The other two available are Chinese junk.
It’s fairly hard to find so your local dear may have to order it.

Looking for a 20″ cutting path 2 stage snow thrower for my wife’s garden area . . . to clear snow from between the walls of her raised garden beds. 20″ cutting path would be the best . . . looking at the Ariens Compact 20 . . . your thoughts please; also need a 20″ cutting path to go around her greenhouse, as the path there is about 22″

Fred

Hi Jad, yes, you will like it a lot.

I live in Rochester, MN. I have a 3-car garage and last winter I used hand shovels to clear the snow, that was brutal. For this winter I’m planning on buying Ariens Delux 24 (254cc), do you think it would be sufficient to deal with Midwest snow?

Thanks.

Hi James, there are two other 20-inch snow blowers on the market but they are both Chinese Junk! I normally recommend the Ariens Deluxe 24 for the Boston area. You get more heavy/wet snow in that area and the Deluxe 24 handles it a lot better than the Ariens Compact. That said, The Compact 24 is very hard to find. You will most likely have to find your nearest Ariens dealer and have them order one.