Boston area 2 car ~ 100 ft slightly sloped driveway plus 30×40 parking pad all asphalt. Id like something with good clearing speed and the power to do the end of driveway pile. Don’t mind spending for a premium unit. A few I’m looking at:
Toro Powermax 1428
Ariens Pro 28
Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI
Do the first two offer enough to justify the additional cost. Open to other suggestions. Thanks for your comments.

Thank you Paul! My mind is made up…Ariens deluxe 24 it is!

Hi Bill, You almost never get lake effect so the SnowMaster will work well about 80% of the time. But, you get a large snowplow drift at the end of your driveway or the city snow plow throws snow on that 300 feet of sidewalk then the SnowMaster is not a good choice. It just doesn’t handle heavy/wet snow or snowplow snow that well.
Personally, I recommend the Ariens Deluxe 24 over the Toro SnowMaster or the 826. The Ariens handles heavy/wet snow a lot better.

HI Paul, I live in Orland Park, Illinois and clear about 8 car lengths of driveway relatively flat, plus 300 feet of sidewalk. One more question, I was very impressed with the video of the toro snow master 824 QXE. Would you recommend this one, or is the toro 826, or Ariens deluxe 24 a better choice?
Thanks Paul, I appreciate your expertise!
Bill

Hi Bill, The Cub Cadet will have about the same capacity and throwing power as your Yardman. They do have better features like dual headlights and nice chute controls.

The Toro 826 is an excellent choice. It has automatic steering, a lot more horsepower than your old one, and is very easy to use.

Thank you!
Bill

Hi Thomas, Prices have gone up in the last two years and I highly recommend you increase your budget to $1200 or so. That will get you a snowblower that will last and get your long driveway done in a reasonable amount of time. Here are a few choices.

Toro 828 OAE at The Home Depot
Cub Cadet 2X 30″ HP at The Home Depot
Ariens Deluxe 28 Home Depot has a few of these otherwise go to your local dealer.
Ariens Deluxe 30. Check out your locl dealer for this model.

Lately in NJ, we are not having big snow winters. I am looing for something under $1000.

Thanks Paul, I just purchased the Ariens Deluxe 24!

Hi Alan, I used to haul paper out of the mills in the central part of Maine and I remember waking up to snowdrifts as tall as the hood of the semi. Based on that I don’t think either snow blower would be a good choice. (But if those were the only two I could pick – I’d pick the Toro)

If you want a 24-inch snowblower, I recommend the Ariens Deluxe 24 for your area. It will handle heavy/wet snow a LOT better than the Toro 824 or Husqvarna and throw it a lot farther. It’s only $100 more and well worth the money.