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The Best Commercial Snowblowers 2019
Landscapers who clear snow, Municipalities, Schools, Gov’t Agencies, and Property Managers in heavy snowfall areas need snow blowers that will last much longer than the residential models you find at your local big-box store. Most of these commercial owners use a snow blower more on one snowfall than a residential owner would for an entire year. Because of that most commercial snow blowers are built with heavy-duty components not found in residential snow blowers. One inch axles, cast iron skid shoes, huge engines, and other components. This article is a list of the best walk-behind commercial snow blowers available in the U.S. market.
What is the best size? In my opinion, a 28-inch snow blower is the best choice most of the time. 28-inch snow blowers tend to be easier to use so your crews or smaller employees can use them for longer periods without tiring. The only reason I would suggest the 32-36 inch sizes is if your sidewalks are 32-36 inches or you are clearing large open areas such as empty parking lots.
Tracks or wheels? Tracked snow blowers have more traction than wheeled snow blowers but wheeled snow blowers are more maneuverable. Tracked snow blowers work really well if you have sidewalks that get snow from the snowplow trucks. They will push through that hard, heavy snow much better than wheeled units. 2 and 3-point track drive systems are usually slower to use because they use the same internal gearing as the wheeled units. The exception is the Ariens RapidTrack. The RapidTrack’s main drive wheel is the same size as a conventional wheeled unit’s so it will travel as fast. In addition, the rear portion of the RapidTrack is easily raised up so that the snowblower becomes as maneuverable as a wheeled unit. The RapidTrack is a giant leap forward for snowblower traction and usability. If you need to clear paths and trails the 2-point track systems like the Honda’s have less clearance under the snowblower than the 3-point and RapidTrack systems.
Is impeller size important? All the commercial models listed except Honda use a 14-inch impeller. A 14-inch impeller will throw all snow well, throw it long distances and even wet, sloppy snow rarely plugs the discharge chute. In my opinion, the Ariens, Toro and Cub Cadet snow blowers can clear snow twice as fast as the same width residential snowblower with a 12-inch impeller.
Skid Shoes: Ariens and Toro offer cast iron skid shoes. Cub Cadet offers its “cool blue” skids shoes. Cast iron and cool blue last many times longer than conventional steel skids shoes and don’t leave the brown rust marks on your concrete.
Engines? The bigger the engine, the faster and farther a commercial snowblower can move snow. If production is important to you the larger engines for a given size snow blower will help you meet those goals. FYI: Honda GX engines have a long and well-deserved reputation for reliability – but the competitors have all caught up.
Note: All snow blowers have 110-volt electric start except the Ariens/Toro Single-stage and all Honda snow blowers.
Which are the 5 best commercial snow blowers? Let me know the ones you prefer in the comments below…
Ariens Commercial Snowblowers (1-Year Commercial Warranty)
Ariens is the only company to offer EFI (electronic fuel injection) on specific snow blowers. EFI is the future because it does not use a carburetor and in my experience starts first pull all the time. To start – all you do is turn the key and pull the starter rope (or push the starter button) – no fuel shutoffs, choke controls, etc. to deal with.
Ariens Professional 28, $2,199, 28” Clearing Width, Gear Drive Wheel, Ariens Polar Force by Briggs & Stratton 420cc
Ariens Professional 28 Hydro RapidTrak, $3099, 28” Clearing Width, High-Speed Track, Ariens Polar Force by Briggs & Stratton 420cc
Ariens Professional 28 Hydro EFI, $2,799, 28” Clearing Width, Gear Drive Wheel, Ariens AX EZ-Launch EFI E-Gov 420cc
Ariens Professional 32 Hydro RapidTrak, $3399, 32” Clearing Width, High-Speed Track, Ariens Polar Force by Briggs & Stratton 420cc
Ariens Professional 32, $2,499, 32” Clearing Width, Gear Drive Wheel, Ariens Polar Force by Briggs & Stratton 420cc
Ariens Professional 36 Hydro EFI, $3,499, 36” Clearing Width, Gear Drive Wheel, Ariens AX EZ-Launch EFI E-Gov 420cc
Ariens Commercial SS 21 in. $649, Ariens AX 208cc, Single-Stage Remote Chute, Recoil-Start Gas Snow Blower
Ariens Commercial SS 21 in. $599, Ariens AV, 208 cc Single-Stage Manual Chute Recoil-Start Gas Snow Blower
Toro Commercial Snowblowers (1-year Commercial Warranty)
Toro has had one single stage snow blower for years that is, in my opinion, the “standard” snow thrower that the snowplow guys throw in the back of their plow trucks. This year they are adding two new 2-stage snow blowers that are designed for Landscapers who clear snow, Municipalities, Schools, Gov’t Agencies, and Property Managers in heavy snowfall areas.
Toro Power Max HD 1428 OHXE $2199, 28 inch, Gear Drive Wheel – Optional 3-point Track, Toro 420cc (NEW-no website link yet)
Toro Power Max HD 1432 OHXE $2499, 32 inch, Gear Drive Wheel – Optional 3-point Track, Toro 420cc (NEW-no website link yet)
Toro Power Clear® 721 R-C (38751) $599, 21 inch, Single Stage Recoil Start Heavy Duty Paddles, Toro 212cc
Cub Cadet Commercial Snowblowers (5-year limited commercial warranty)
Note: While Cub Cadet offers a commercial warranty on all their snowblowers, they have three that are specifically aimed at the Pro user. These are high capacity snow blowers with 14-inch impellers and will throw snow farther than any other model they sell.
Cub Cadet 3X™ 30″ PRO H $2399. 30 inch, Three Stage Hydro Wheel, Cub Cadet 420cc
Cub Cadet 3X™ 34″ PRO $2299. 34 inch, Three Stage Gear Drive Wheel, Cub Cadet 420cc
Cub Cadet 3X™ 34″ PRO H $2599. 34 inch, Three Stage Hydro Wheel, Cub Cadet 420cc
Honda (36-month Commercial Warranty)
Honda HSS928AT / HSS928ATD $2709 – $2909, 28 inch, Hydro 2-wheel Track Version, Honda 270cc (D is 12 volt electric start)
Honda HSS928AW / HSS928AWD $2579 – $2789, 28 inch, Hydro Wheel Version, Honda 270cc (D is 12 volt electric start)
Honda HSS1332AT / HSS1332ATD $3189-$3389, 32 inch, Hydro 2-wheel Track, Honda 389cc (D is 12 volt electric start)
Honda HS1336iAS $7999, 36 inch, Hybrid 2-wheel Track, Honda 389cc
Simplicity Signature Pro Commercial Snowblowers (1-Year Commercial Warranty)
Simplicity P1524E $1799, 24 inch, Friction Drive Wheel, B&S 1450 Professional Series 306cc
Simplicity P1728E $2199, 28 inch, Friction Drive Wheel, B&S 1650 Professional Series 420cc
Simplicity P2132E $2499, 32 inch, Friction Drive Wheel, B&S 2100 Professional Series 420cc
Simplicity P2138E $2799, 38 inch, Friction Drive Wheel, B&S 2100 Professional Series 420cc
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Jack Mardlin
Paul,
in December 2018, I purchased a Husqvarna ST330, 369cc, 30″FD. I have had a belt shred, a belt come off and exactly 365 days after purchase, metal found in the gas tank. Probably 30 hours max on this machine. The dealer said the repair would not be covered under warranty as the metal could only have been an owner problem. After a $400 repair, just have to ask if Husky now makes a crap machine and is not a recommended buy. FYI- I previous blower was a Toro for 15 years and my only issue was the bolts coming loose on the starter. Should mention that this is for personal use only. Thank you
Jack
Margaret M Skirmont
Hi John I like your information thank you. My husband was looking at a John Deere snowblower what do you think. It would just be for some commercial sidewalks and maybe my driveway.
Paul
Hi Margaret, John Deere has not sold a snowblower since 2012. They were residential snowblowers and at that time good machines. It would not be my first choice for commercial work. 1. Parts may be hard to find. 2. If you are paid to clear snow, you break down and you can’t get parts for days – you won’t get the job again.
vslim
Hi Paul, do you have any opinion on the Briggs Polar Force (926060) vs. Ariens AX (926078) engine options on the Pro 28 Hydro Rapidtrak? Trying to decide between the two options — as my dealer has both available. The Briggs seems to have an excellent reputation, but I get the impression that Ariens may be (understandably) discontinuing it in favor of the self-branded Ariens AX? Thanks!
Paul
The Briggs has been around for a long time and has a great reputation with contractors. The Ariens AX engine that is replacing it is a new, fuel-efficient design and I expect it to develop the same great reputation as the Briggs. One advantage for the Ariens is the snowblower and the AX engine are both warrantied by them so warranty issues, parts etc. is never a problem and issues are fixed quickly. The dealer doesn’t have to wait for another company to give them the “ok” to fix it under warranty.
John Sauro
Hi Paul is there a difference in the Aries snowblower if I purchase from Lowe’s or Home Depot than an Ariens Dealer.
Paul
Hi John, Just to be clear. If you buy an Ariens Deluxe from Home Depot the dealer’s Ariens Deluxe is exactly the same. The dealer also carries a whole bunch of Ariens Snowblowers that Home Depot and Lowes does not carry. (most have more features and HP)
Dave C.
Many thanks, Paul. We’ll take a look at those three recommended blowers.
Dave
Dave C.
Paul,
I have a 50’ X 100’ parking lot with an additional 1,500 square feet of sidewalk and 750 square feet of curb-cut road entrances. The site is very tight for space, so I like using a snow blower. That allows us to put the snow right where we want it. The problem is – I’m spending too much money on blower maintenance each year ($350). Friction drive wheels and belts are killing us. Would you have any suggestions?
Paul
Hi Dave, Hi Dave there are three that will cut your yearly costs down to just changing the oil. All three are commercial units designed for years of use with very little maintenance. They are designed to take the abuse of hitting the curbs. They even have cast iron skid shoes. (or optional poly shoes)
These machines are not cheap but well worth the money because they will last you years. Click on the links to read more.
1. Ariens RapidTrak Pro Hydro
2. Ariens Pro 28 Hydro
3. Toro 1428 OHXE.
Nico
Hey Pau, what would you recommend for cleaning up old plow drifts and other types of hard and dense snow. I keep coming across three stage blowers for this, are they all they’re cracked up to be compared to two stage blowers?
Paul
Hi Nico, 3-stage snow blowers are not better – just different. That said, snow blowers with a 14-inch impeller have the capacity and chewing power you want.
If you want the very best – the Ariens RapidTrak Pro 28 is the best. It has the traction push into that old snow and throw it 50 feet.
Next would be the Toro Power Max HD 1428, Ariens Pro Ariens Platinum SHO 30 and the smaller Ariens Platinum SHO 24.
Next would be the Toro Power Max 1028, Toro Power Max HD 928 and all of the Ariens Deluxe models.
Finally, the Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30 and 34-inch snow blowers can also handle the job well.
Check out my YouTube channel. I show how well these snow blowers work. https://www.youtube.com/paulsikkema
mj d
Hi Paul. Thanks for the good info. FYI: The MTD (they make the Cub Cadet) factory rep told me the Cub Cadet 3X32″ PRO H is fuel injected.
Paul
Hi mj d, Interesting – Cub Cadet has NEVER let us know that they have an EFI engine on any of their snow blowers. None of their literature or press releases states they do. Trust me, if they do they would make a HUGE deal about it! That said,
You will see quite a few more brands with EFI soon. MTD/Cub Cadet has partnered with Walbro. Walbro is the largest U.S. small engine carb manufacturer and they have been at the forefront of EFI on chain saws, etc. So, I expect to see EFI available on the larger engines soon – maybe as early as this fall.
Andre
Hi Paul, what do you think about the simplicity snowblower who has the general transmission. Are these transmission reliable? I believe the snapper also hard them. Thanks
Paul
Hi Andre, 5 years ago the GT transmission in the Simplicity/Briggs had a few issues. If you are looking at a used snow blower and the trans was not changed I would not buy it. You can contact support at generaltransmissions.com with the model and serial number of the trans to see if it’s a good one. The numbers will be right on the transmission case so you will have to tip the snow blower up on its nose and remove the bottom trans cover to find them.
Andre
Hi Paul, it is actually a new one they have in stock from last year i guess. Are the new one fine?
Paul
Hi Andre, Yes, a new one has the updated transmission so it will be fine.
Bob
do you have any information on DR Snow blowers? They are new this year. (2018)
Paul
Hi Bob, I don’t have enough info yet. I don’t have any dealers in my area interested in stocking them. The price is good. They have the General Transmissions DI300 Differential. (AutoTurn or Automatic Steering) They have decent sized engines. I don’t like the old-fashioned chute control but I have to wait and see if it’s any good.
The shape of the snow blower housing looks like it was built for them by Husqvarna but nothing else is Husqvarna-like so I don’t think they are built by them. Plus, Generac owns DR so I doubt Husqvarna is making the snow blowers. I asked DR where the units are built but I haven’t heard back.
Julie Kokes
Hi Paul! Love your willingness to share your wealth of knowledge. Thank you.
We would like some advice for clearing a large parking area on a mountain property. Specifics: non-paved road and parking area, no sidewalks, deep snow that can get as deep as 4-7 feet, snow becomes hard and packed sometimes, drifts, and two driveways have an incline of about 4-5%.
Any thoughts for us?
Paul
Hi Julie, The first item that comes to mind is a skid-steer with a front mounted snow blower. When you get that seven feet snow you can raise the snow blower 3-4 feet off the ground and clear the top first. Then back up, drop the snow blower to the ground and clear the rest. this is a better solution than using a bucket loader and having to pile the snow in a corner or haul it away.
I just picked a random skid steer/snow blower video so you can see what I’m talking about:
ddmusicman
Hello Paul, I have a small lawn care / snow removal business and am needing to purchase a commercial sized snow blower that I can rely on. What would you recommend. Thanks.
Paul
Hi Dave, I need more info. Do you need one to clean up after a skid steer/plow truck? What size are the driveways, how many, sidewalks, patios, decks, steps?
Tell me a little about your clients. All residential? Businesses, condos etc. Where do you live City/State, please.