Comments on: Husqvarna ST327P 2-Stage Snow Blower In Action – Hands on Test.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 13:20:13 +0000

In reply to Franco. Hi Franco, The ST327 will be a good snow blower for you.

By: Franco

Franco — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 05:48:01 +0000

Hi Paul,
Thank you very much for the information about this seasons updates to the 300-series line up. I have not been able to find this kind of information anywhere else.
I don’t think it’s guaranteed that the ground will be frozen for the first snow falls and I usually showel up a lot of gravel on my lawn when clearing the snow by hand, and that was before I added the thick layer of garvel I addes this summer.
I have compared the price of Toro models you recommended to the ST327. The 928 is 420$ more expensive and the 1028 is 760$ more expensive. I’m also a bit concerned about getting spare parts for the Toro. I don’t think we get too much slushy snow, even if it happens, since it’s quite cold here. Do you think the Toros are worth the price diffrence? I have a feeling that the difference is less in the US but I’m not sure.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 14:59:10 +0000

In reply to Franco.

Hello Franco, Husqvarna has changed the lineup for this fall. The 300 series are now all friction disk and there is a new 400 series with the hydrostatic transmission.
The 300 series friction disk transmission has also been redesigned so it won’t slip if you get too much moisture into the transmission housing. It also has stronger belts and the large dash with the wrap-around handles.
Do you need longer skids? When the ground freezes does it stay frozen all winter? If it does then the gravel will not be an issue with the standard skids. I suggest raising the front of the snow blower (the skids) as high as it will go for the first few snows. That will keep the snow blower out of the gravel. Once the ground has frozen you can then lower the skids and it should be fine. With the new dash/handle assembly the snow blower is also a little lighter in front so it won’t dig into the gravel as much as the older 300 series.
The ST327 will be a little easier to use than the ST330. The snow blowers sold in your country will have the appropriate size engines so they will handle your snow.
I personally like the 928 and 1028 Toro Power Max HD snow blowers a lot. If you get a lot of wet/heavy snow they are the best. (and also Ariens) If you have a dealer locally I would check them out. If you don’t have a local dealer stick with the Husqvarna.

By: Franco

Franco — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 06:12:07 +0000

Hi Paul,
I live in Sweden and I’m about to buy my first ever snow blower and to be honest I don’t know much about them. I’ve been looking around at both Toro and Husqvarna 300-series. It seems to me that I would have a harder time finding spare parts for a Toro machine than a Husqvarna here in Sweden so I’m likely to select the Husqvarna. I have a gravel path up to my house and a gravel area in front of my 2 car garage and I estimate the total area to be around 2200 sqft. I just added new gravel this year so the gravel layer is quite deep (2-3 inches). We seldom get more than 10-12 inches of snow at the time but it can snow quite often.
Would there be a benefit for me to choose the ST330 over the ST327 or would it be enough with the ST327?
Should I get aftermarket skids that are longer and wider to prevent the machine from digging down in the gravel or will it not make a difference?
It seems like, at least in Sweden, the 300 series doesn’t come with hydrostatic transmission but with friction disc transmission. Is it a deal breaker for the function of the machine in your opinion?
Is a Toro of the same size the better alternative?
Thank you for your help.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 21:08:26 +0000

In reply to Vlad.

Hi Vlad, I can only find one review at ACME tools that state the owner was having problems with the interlock for the auger/drive control.

Just so you know the entire handlebar assembly including all the controls is the same on all the 300 series snow blowers. The ST327P I have works just fine and asking my reliable Husqvarna dealer there are no maintenance alerts on the handles. So, there are easily 5000 of these snow blowers out cleaning snow and this is the only issue I read out of all those sold. So, I don’t consider this a problem worth worrying about. I’ll bet you a Chocolate Chip Cookie that the one you purchase will not have a problem.

By: Vlad

Vlad — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 20:21:24 +0000

On your links to Husqvarna st324, there’s comments from reviews on auger lock issues. Do you know much about this?

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 22:13:05 +0000

In reply to Paul.

Paul — GREAT post! Like Dom, I’ve been looking at the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO and the Husqvarna ST327P. Your site has been amazingly helpful! Pretty sure I’ll be buying the ST327P. I’ve had snowblowers for 25 years, and the hydrostatic drive looks like a huge improvement to me. Husqy’s chute controls seem fairly good (much better than Ariens Deluxe models with their hand crank). And I’m more comfortable with the trigger steering, rather than Ariens differential. Keep up the great work!

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 02:02:48 +0000

In reply to john. Hi John, Where you live you don’t need the extra power for the amount of snow you get but the larger engine will allow you get done a little faster. So, if cost is not a factor I’d go with the larger engine.

By: john

john — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 23:57:37 +0000

Hi Paul, I will be buying either a Toro 38801 or a Toro 38802 soon. Is it worth upgrading from the 265cc motor,38801, to the 302 cc motor, 38802. It looks like that is the only difference. I don’t mind paying the additional $300 if the upgraded motor is worth it. Thanks, John

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 15:06:00 +0000

In reply to Isadore. Hi Isadore, Yes, Have you seen this article yet? The Twenty Best Snow Blowers – November 2017. I'd recommend any of the 24-inch machines on that list first.