Hi John, Your local Ariens dealer can get you the Deluxe SHO. This time of year Ariens still has them available from their warehouse.

I understand and agree about China. Unfortunately, ALL snow blowers engines are made overseas. (Only one exception – Honda makes their little engine for their single-stage snow throwers here in the U.S.)

The only issue I see with the 28 SHO is finding one. I do see them online at Amazon, but I just don’t have a good vibe about buying something like this off Amazon. I do see a 28″ Deluxe available here locally, but not the SHO model. They also have the 24 Platinum SHO… I think that includes the EFI though. Once that is out of warranty, I would think that would be $$$ to fix (and most likely not something I could do).

Yes, thanks for the reminder about LCT. Only worry I have there is it is made in China buy an American company. I’d rather pay a little more to employ Americans and not the Chinese.

Hi John, I’ve had a lot of Ariens snowblowers here over the last 10 years and I’ve never had one not start. Of course, When I’m done with the unit I leave it running, turn off the fuel valve, and let the gas empty out of the carb.

The Deluxe 28 SHO is very popular. You get the larger engine and the better impeller. It’s a really great machine.

One last thing, The Ariens AX is made by LCT. LCT is the company that formed after Techumseh/Lawson sold off the Techumseh name (they sold the refrigeration division) and used the Tecumseh OHV tech to make a new engine. So the new Ariens you get will have the same great “DNA” from your old engine that has worked so well for you over the years.

Hi Rich, I have to ask the obvious questions. Are you saying that no Ariens dealer in your area will work on it or are you trying to take it to a “small engine” repair shop? You can easily find an authorized Ariens repair dealer by going to Find An Ariens Dealer, selecting snow, service and input your zip code. Select a dealer with the orange mark.
A servicing dealer will have the knowledge and equipment to quickly diagnose and fix the issue.

Thanks Paul. I just don’t like having to have computers to diagnose things. I didn’t like it when cars went this way. In theory, it makes them more reliable, but in practice it makes them a pain in the rear.

I guess it really doesn’t make a difference as I can’t see needing a unit larger than 28″ living on the south side of Lake Erie in the snow belt. I currently have an older 28″ 10HP unit that works… but looking to maybe get something newer. My old unit has a Tecumseh engine which in my book is one of the best out there. I put that thing away in the Spring, and in the fall, prime it, and it just starts up. The blower looks like hell, but for the most part, it works. A few years back I listened to my neighbor try and start his new Toro snow thrower, and he had a devil of a time with it. Granted, the guy was all thumbs, so that may not be any reflection on Toro.

I guess if it were me, I would get the 28″ SHO for the extra cash and not worry about the EFI. I’d really prefer the track drive, but just can’t justify that much money. What I struggle though is which is better Toro or Ariens?

My Ariens has been out of commission for months. The error code says there’s a problem with the fuel system. It’s still under warranty but finding someone willing to work on it is difficult. Buying a snow thrower with EFI was a bad decision. I advise against it.

Hi John, About the only thing you can do with today’s carbs is clean the float bowl and blow out the main jet. They are fixed-jet carbs so if that doesn’t work you have to replace them.

EFI is more “forgiving.” They are a “closed” system so if you use clean fuel (and add a stabilizer for long-term storage) they won’t develop varnish or gunk like regular carbs. Just like the switch from carbs to EFI on autos you will have to learn how to troubleshoot the EFI and you may have to own a piece of test equipment if you want to repair it yourself. But, the systems we are using right now are very modular. Battery, logic board, and injector. All the sensors, etc. are included in one of those three components. At this point in time, you would never have to replace all three components at once so the cost to repair would be no more than replacing a carb.

Hi Brendan, Yes, The snowblower charges the battery when the engine is running. It has an alternator.

Outboard motors still use electricity to set the EFI for starting. The outboards use a very high-efficiency alternator to develop the current needed when you first pull the starter rope. (electric start models use the power from the fuel pump)
That’s why the outboard usually doesn’t start on the first pull but always starts on the second pull.

Outboard motors are very expensive so the manufacturers can easily include the better alternator into the cost you pay. Snowblowers are much more competitive and consumers won’t pay for that extra cost – yet.

I’d investigate,further. You’re in touch with the manufacturers.

There are other outboard manufacturers who sell battery less EFI. It’s also a thing with snowmobiles.

Like I said EFI is,a huge step forward in blowers, but to require a battery is a step backwards.

Especially if you have to charge the battery. Please tell me Aries at least has an alternator to charge the battery when operating the blower?