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What is the best snowblower?
“Best” means different things to different people. Some of you look at Amazon’s best-selling snowblowers, while others read every word of Consumer Reports Recommended Snow Blowers list. Please remember, the best snow blower as rated by a review site, online review or even by MovingSnow.com is not always the best snow blower for you. It may be too big or too small for your particular driveway/area to be cleared. It may not be able to handle the heavy/wet snow your area gets a lot of. My goal here is to help you find the best snow blower for you!
Note: When reading about snow blowers please be careful of review sites that ONLY send you to Amazon. These sites only want to take your money and almost all of them have absolutely no experience with snow blowers.
I’m only listing snow blowers here that are proven to work well. There are over 400 snow blowers available today. I’ve narrowed that huge list down to machines that have proven track records or have recent improvements made so that they are now great snowblowers. For example, in previous years, Husqvarna snowblowers had issues with drive belts and a half dozen other problems. Husqvarna snowblowers have had all those issues fixed. Another example, MTD’s joystick chute control was never easy to use. They have replaced it on Cub Cadet and Troy-Bilt models with a better working system. Ariens and Toro have also fixed the “pain points” with their snowblowers over the last three years.
I’m only listing snow blowers from retailers and dealers that have good service networks. These networks use local servicing dealers to repair your machine under warranty. I do not recommend retailers and brands that ship your machine off to some faraway location where it may sit for months before the repair is made.
NOTE! I will not be recommending any Briggs & Stratton, Simplicity, or Snapper snowblowers this year. Why? I know you want a quality snowblower that will last you years and part of that means getting parts for it. Three things have happened that make me very nervous about getting parts in the future for B&S, Simplicity, and Snapper snowblowers. 1. B&S put the lawn & garden division up for sale this spring. 2. B&S filed for bankruptcy this summer. 3. A holding company is taking ownership of B&S. Typically, a holding company will review all the companies divisions and sell off the non-profitable ones (or the ones they can get the most money from.) So, I’m going to wait until we find out if the holding company dumps the lawn & garden division or if it just disappears.
Protection Plans and Extended Warranties. Protection plans are NOT extended warranties. Sometimes manufacturers will offer extended warranties. Because extended warranties are directly from the manufacturer they are always a good choice. Those warranties are handled by a local servicing dealer. Protection plans, on the other hand, offered by retailers are not always a good choice. If you feel a retailer’s protection plan is a good choice for you be sure you understand what is offered for your gas-powered snowblower and how you go about using the Protection Plan. Many plans will ship your snowblower off to some far away repair center where it can sit for months before it’s even looked at.
When figuring out the best snow blower for you there are many factors that you should consider including the area you want to clear, the surface you want to clear, and how much snow you usually get. MovingSnow’s goal is to help you find the best snow thrower for you. If you can’t decide which snow blower is best for you here are other articles to help:
- Buying A New Snow Blower FAQS,
- What Is The Best Snow Blower For Me? – All Your Questions Answered Here!
- 13 Snow Blower Features And Myths That Matter
I also have a YouTube channel where I review many of the snow blowers on this list (and a bunch that don’t make the list) Please click on this link and subscribe YouTube/Paul Sikkema
Note: Links found on MovingSnow.com are usually “affiliate links.” If the link takes you to a retailer like The Home Depot, Amazon, Tractor Supply, or others I make a small commission when you click on the link and then buy from that retailer. That money is used to keep this site running and purchase demo units for hands-on testing. To learn more please go here: How To Support MovingSnow.com
Yes, you need a new gas can! Check out The Best Snow Shovel, Ice Scraper, and Gas Can To Compliment Your New Snow Blower
If you have questions feel free to leave a comment below.
Canadian Snow Blower Buyers:
Snowblowers in Canada are similar but not always exactly like the models offered in the U. S. Feel free to ask me about a specific model in the comments below.
Note: If I send you to a retailer to buy assume I make a small commission from the sale. I’ll give you links to The Home Depot but many of the products listed here are also available at:
So Here Is The List Of The Best Snowblowers!
It’s still a fairly large list (about 50) but it’s broken down by size and capacity. Here is how the list is broken down:
Cordless Electric
Single-Stage
24-26 inch 2-stage
28 inch 2-stage
30 inch 2-stage
32 inch and larger
Thanks for reading this very long post.
Cordless Electric Snow Throwers. Hard surface driveway – will not work on gravel.
There are a whole bunch of cordless electric snowthrowers on the market but there are only three that I can recommend at this time. They are similar in size and capacity to the gas-powered single-stage machines. They also have large enough batteries to clear 8 inches of snow off of a 2-car hard surface driveway up to 70 feet long. They can handle 8 inches of snow and drifts up to 12 inches.
Recommended: Toro Cordless Shovel. Buy here at The Home Depot. Do you have a medical issue that restricts your snow shoveling? Do you have lots of steps? Do you have a small patio, sidewalk, or terrace that you can’t get your big snowblower to? Hassle-free shoveling, easy to maneuver, convenient, cordless, and complete snow clearing. Have a really narrow driveway or need to go in-between cars? Flex-Force power source features a 2.5 Ah battery with a run time of up to 45-minutes on a single charge-and a 60-minute recharge time. Also available as a bare tool for those of you who already have the Flex-Force batteries.
Recommended: Toro FlexForce: 21″ Power Clear® e21 60V* 7.5 AH (405 AH) Battery Snow Blower (39901) Buy Here at The Home Depot. or This snow thrower features Toro’s patented Power Clear – throws snow up to 40 feet. This snow thrower will clear up to a 12 car driveway on one charge. When you take the battery out this snowblower only weighs 40 lbs so it will be great for areas where you have to lift it up steps or put it in your car. Personally, I like this snow blower a lot and it will be my go-to machine for clearing my 16X70 feet driveway and patio this winter. This snow thrower is part of Toro FlexForce line of 60-volt cordless tools which includes one of the best 22-inch self-propelled mowers on the market. Check out my videos of it at https://www.youtube.com/paulsikkema
Recommended but expensive: Snow Joe 21 in. 100-Volt Max 5 Ah Brushless Cordless Electric Snow Blower Model# ION100V-21SB. Buy Here at The Home Depot. Check out my video on YouTube.Snow Joe has redesigned their cordless single stage once again and this model now features auger assist and a 30 minute run time on the supplied 5.0 AH (425 WH) battery. This snow thrower is part of the Snow Joe/Sun Joe line of 100-volt cordless tools. Check out my videos of it at https://www.youtube.com/paulsikkema
Popular but I don’t recommend: EGO 21 in. Single-Stage 56-Volt Lithium-Ion 7.5 AH (405 AH) Cordless Electric Snow Blower. This snow thrower needs two batteries for operation (supplied) and does not have auger assist. I ONLY recommend it if you already have EGO tools and you only get a few inches of snow at a time. If you get snow depths over six inches this machine gets very hard to use because you have to PUSH it through the snow. Here is a typical end-of-year review of the EGO Snow Thrower: “I too love cordless-the only gas equipment. All I have left is my lawnmower and snow-blower so I was eager to try this. However, the auger not touching the ground is a big problem for me. My single stage 208cc gas does and it helps to pull it along. I have a 75 ft single driveway and 200 ft of sidewalk (a double lot on a corner). It had enough juice to do it, but constantly having to push, push, push to get through the snow-it was a major workout. It throws the snow fine-no problem there. But wow-it was a major pain pushing this thing. We’ve had over 100 inches of snow this winter (so far), so I’m glad I returned it.”
EGO 2-stage Snowblower: I don’t have an opinion on it yet. A few questions I need to answer before I can endorse it. 1. There is a lot of plastic in the EGO 2-stage. That plastic appears to be the same type as what they use in everything else. 2. There are a lot of controls on the dash and some are not “glove-friendly.” 3. It requires two 7.5 AH batteries to run so if you don’t have enough battery to do the work you’ll need to buy an additional set of two batteries – that’s an additional $750! 4. They state the “power of gas.” What does that mean? The good 24-inch snowblowers have increased the engine size to 223 to 252cc (7-8 HP) and I can’t wait to see if the performance even comes close to gas. Yes, it may throw snow 50 Feet but if the snowblower is just crawling along to get that throwing distance… 5. Is it heavy enough to push through the snowplow drift at the end of your driveway.
Single Stage hard surface driveway – will not work on gravel.
Single-stage snow throwers work great for areas that get less than eight inches of snow at a time and can handle drifts up to 12 inches. They also work great as a “second” snowblower for clearing 1-4 inch snowfalls and cleaning sidewalks right down to the pavement. All the models listed here have power assist augers so you don’t have to push them through the snow. Unless noted these all have push-button electric start. In general, single-stage snow throwers are too small to be your primary machine if you live anywhere in the U.S. north of Interstate 70. None of them (except the Toro SnowMaster And Ariens CrossOver) will throw snow more than 30 feet or so. Because of that, you will end up with much taller piles of snow along your driveway than with a good 2-stage snowblower. These taller piles can cause more drifting right on your driveway the next time it snows.
Because the front auger touches the pavement, single-stage snow throwers ONLY work on smooth surfaces like cement, blacktop, pavers, and decks. They WILL NOT work on gravel or turf.
Recommended: Toro Power Clear® 721 E (38753) Buy Here at The Home Depot. The “standard” for single-stage snow throwers. This model has been redesigned so the engine is easy to work on! At $599 it is one of the best value snow throwers on the market.
Best Single-Stage: Toro Power Clear® 821 QZE (38757) Buy Here at The Home Depot. More power than the 721 and is a great choice if you get heavy/wet snow. Remote chute.
Recommended: Ariens Professional 21 SSRC Model 938025 Buy Here at The Home Depot. This Ariens Commercial Single Stage without electric start is a better choice if you haul your snowthrower around to clear other people’s driveways. It is designed so one person can easily slide it into a pickup, van or SUV. The heavy-duty rubber auger will last you years and years. Check out my videos of it at https://www.youtube.com/paulsikkema
Cub Cadet 1X 21. Buy Here at CubCadet.com or at The Home Depot. This single-stage snowblower does not get a lot of attention but it clears snow very well and comes with a headlight and easy-to-use chute control. It’s very affordable for the features you get. I recommend it if you have to move the chute a lot to get the snow where you want it and/or need to clear snow in the dark.
Honda HS 720AS 20 inch. Buy Here at The Home Depot. The snow thrower is rated as one of the best by Consumer Reports. If you don’t want a Toro or an Ariens this is an excellent snow thrower! It’s a Honda – but it’s more expensive than the top-performing Toro models. A lot of owners hate the chute controls but like the way the snowblower throws snow
Recommended: Toro SnowMaster® 724 QXE (36002) Buy Here at The Home Depot. The Toro 724 and 824 are lightweight, self-propelled snowblowers that clear snow fast from your hard surfaces. These snow throwers will clear up to 18-inch drifts. Many people are buying these instead of a 2-stage snowblower. If you have a larger hard surface driveway to clear and don’t get more than 8 inches at a time they are a great choice.
Largest Single-Stage: Toro SnowMaster® 824 QXE (36003) Buy Here at The Home Depot. Check out my video on YouTube. More power than the 724. I personally own this snow thrower and like it a lot. Check out my videos of it at https://www.youtube.com/paulsikkema
New! Ariens Crossover Model 932050, 20″ (51cm) Clearing Width, Ariens AX® 179, $699
24-26 Inch: Two-Stage 1-2 car driveway, up to 80 feet long – works on any surface
24-26 inch 2-stage snow blowers are good for your typical 1 or 2 car driveway up to 60 feet long. They will also clear snow from gravel, dirt, and turf. Since they are smaller and lighter weight even smaller people can use them. If you have a bad back buy one with power steering.
Note: The cheapest “good” 2-stage snow blower is now $699
Cheap But Good. 24-26 Inch:
If you have to buy the cheapest snow blower – buy one of these. (There is no reason to buy a Chinese Import that does not have a good service network.)
Recommended: Ariens Classic 24 Model 920025 Ariens Dealer Locator. No Power Steering but a lot of features making it a best value snowblower. Good engine, hanging chute, all-steel construction.
Recommended: Troy-Bilt Storm 24 in. Model# Storm 2460, 208cc with Airless Tires. Buy Here at The Home Depot. No Power Steering. The airless tires make this one of the best 24-inch snowblowers for areas of the country that get 30-60 inches of snow a year. The tires give is more traction and makes the snowblower surprisingly easy to turn. I also like the easy to use hanging chute.
Cheapest: Troy-Bilt Storm 2410 Buy Here at The Home Depot. Check out my video on YouTube. If you must have the least expensive snowblower, this is the BEST least expensive snow blower available. There is no need to even consider a Chinese made snowblower anymore. You get a good engine, 6 speeds forward, 2 reverse, good tires, poly skids, and a machine that will handle your 30-40 inch Midwest winters. It’s simple, easy to operate, and has an excellent review rating. It does not have power steering.
Good For Most Areas Of The Country That Get 30-60 Inches Of Snow. 24-26 Inch:
Recommended: Cub Cadet 2X™ 24″. Buy Directly from Cub Cadet or Buy Here at The Home Depot. I’ve been recommending this snow blower for many years and this year they improved it with a larger engine and an updated dash. It’s very easy to use and the handles are short enough so even if you are 5″2″ you can use this snowblower. This updated model includes a larger 243cc engine, trigger power steering, and updated dash with LED headlights. The new controls are a lot easier to use than the old 4-way chute control.
Recommended Cub Cadet 2X 26 HP. Buy Directly from Cub Cadet or Buy Here at The Home Depot. The Cub Cadet 2X HP series are great snowblowers for most areas of the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and other areas that average 30-60 inches of snow. It has large tires, excellent LED lights and an easy to use metal chute. This model features trigger power steering but does not have hand warmers.
Toro Power Max® 824 OE (37798) Buy Here at The Home Depot. No Power Steering. I normally recommend the Toro Snow Master instead of this model for hard surface driveways. But this snowblower is a better choice if you have a gravel driveway. You can use this snow blower on any surface including gravel, turf, and dirt. This is a very well-built, dependable snowblower but harder to use than those with automatic or trigger steering.
Ariens Compact 24 Model 920027. Find where to buy here. New AutoTurn Steering! If you are considering the Ariens Classic this snow blower is a solid step up from it. Larger engine and the same Ariens quality you get with the Deluxe models – just less capacity.
Recommended: Troy-Bilt Storm™ 2460 Snow Blower Buy Directly from Troy-Bilt or Buy Here at The Home Depot. 24 inch, 208 cc. My favorite best value snowblower. For all types of snow, about 60-inch average snowfall a year, and will clear gravel/turf areas. It does not have power steering but uses the new airless tires that give you great traction yet turn easily.
Recommended: Troy-Bilt Storm™ 2625 XP Snow Blower Buy Directly from Troy-Bilt or Buy Here at The Home Depot. Two inches wider than the Model 2460 above and has a great 243cc engine. For all types of snow, about 60-inch average snowfall a year, and will clear gravel/turf areas. It does not have power steering but uses the new airless tires that give you great traction yet turn easily.
Recommended: Husqvarna ST224. Buy Here at ACME Tools. The ST224P has now been renamed the ST224. Why, because the dropped the solid axle 224 and replaced it with a cheaper ST124. The 2020 ST224 has power steering and hand warmers and continues to be one of the most popular 24-inch snow blowers. It has power steering. This is an excellent snow blower if you live in the suburbs and need to clean rough areas like a spot on the lawn for your dogs.
Won’t Clog On Heavy/Wet Snow – 24-26 Inch:
If the snowplow leaves you a wet mess or a solid rock wall of snow – these snow blowers will power right through it! Good for areas of the country that get 30-120 inches of snow a year!
Recommended: Ariens Deluxe 24 Model 921045 Ariens Dealer Locator. The Ariens Deluxe 24 and it’s bigger brother Ariens Platinum 24 are unique in the 24-26 inch size. They use a larger, 14-inch impeller and discharge chute so it is very, very hard to clog them on heavy, wet snow. I highly recommend the Deluxe 24 to anyone who struggles with the drift the snowplow truck leaves at the end of the driveway. It’s all-metal and pretty much indestructible. It’s also very easy to use because it has automatic steering (AutoTurn) and basic chute and deflector controls.
Recommended: Toro Power Max 826 OHAE 26 in. 252 cc Buy Here at The Home Depot. I am predicting this new snow blower is going to be one of the most popular snow blowers this year. It’s a very capable, lightweight snowblower that anyone can use. Although it is a “mid-sized” machine it really punches above its weight class because of Toro’s Anti-Clog System (ACS). ACS allows this snowblower to handle all types of snow including the heavy/wet snow that requires a 14-inch impeller on other brands. In addition, the new automatic steering is the best-in-class and the 4-way joystick is fast and easy to use. 15-inch tires give it plenty of traction and the LED light is really bright. Oh – this is the first Toro Power Max to include hand warmers standard on the machine!
Husqvarna ST324? I have not reviewed it at this time but will most likely make this list.
Heavy-Duty Snowmageddon:- Will handle areas that get over 100 inches a year. 24-26 Inch:
Dealer only: Ariens Platinum 24 SHO Model 921050 and Ariens Platinum 24 SHO EFI Model 921053. Ariens Dealer Locator. 24 inch, 369cc. Model 921053 with EZ-Launch EFI Engine. These two snow blowers have over-the-top power and can handle any type of snow and any driveway including gravel and turf. Yet, they are very easy to use. If you have a small driveway but get a lot of snow this is a great choice. It will clear any amount/type of snow. It will not clog on heavy/wet snow. Because it has a larger engine and more capacity than all other 24 inch machines it works well for 2-3 car wide by 80-120 foot driveways. It has great traction for sloped driveways. This is one of the few snow blowers I recommend for Lake Tahoe and their 200-400 inches of snowfall per year. It’s also the best choice for areas that get lake-effect and the North-East U.S. that gets the “Noreasters.” Some of you will feel the price is too high for the EFI model but this heavy-duty 24-inch snow blower with Electronic Fuel Injection will not have the starting issues carbureted engines have on today’s fuels.
Track Drive
There five tracked 24-26 inch snow blowers available on the market. Two are insanely expensive, two are very hard to use which leaves only one that I can recommend. If you want a small tracked snowblower for steep driveway and trails look at the Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2690XP
28 Inch: Two-Stage 2 car or larger driveway, up to 150 feet long – works on any surface
28 inch is the most popular size. Most people can use them without a lot of effort. You can quickly clear snow from your driveway, sidewalk, gravel areas and even go out into the lawn to make a spot for your dogs. The models I’ll suggest here are all capable of clearing the huge drift the city snow plow leaves at the end of your driveway.
Cheap But Good
Recommended: Troy-Bilt Storm™ 2860 Snow Blower Buy Directly from Troy-Bilt or Buy Here at The Home Depot. Check out my video on YouTube. The Troy-Bilt Storm™ 2860 is one of my favorite snow blowers. It does not have power steering but the airless tires make is easy to use. These special tires have plenty of traction yet are designed to allow you to turn the snow blower easier than models that have regular air-filled rubber tires. The rest of the snowblower is built well including the chute/deflector controls. It has heated handgrips! If you are on a budget but need a snowblower to clear a 2 or 3 car driveway this is a great choice.
Note: If you find a 28-inch snowblower cheaper than this one please be aware it’s mostly made in China and parts/service will be very hard to find. Snowblowers required maintenance from time-to-time and not being able to get one repaired – when you need it is very, very frustrating.
Good For Most Areas Of The Country That Get 30-60 Inches Of Snow
My number one choice for most people! Recommended: Toro Power Max HD 828 OAE. I’m sure you watched this video of the 2020 Toro 928. (Can the Toro Power Max HD 928 OAE Snow Blower handle deep snow?) This is the same snowblower with a slightly smaller 8 HP engine. Introduced new this year I believe this will quickly become the “standard” 28-inch snowblower for anyone who gets between 30 and 80 inches of snow a year. It can handle any type of snow including the heavy/wet stuff and your waist-high day-old snow plow drift along the front of your driveway. Why? It features a larger 14-inch auger/impeller, a large metal chute, and Toro’s unique Anti-Clog System. This combination allows it to move more snow and throw it farther – using less horsepower than other brands. In addition, the Quick-Stik, 4-way chute control is the easiest to use control in the industry. Automatic, triggerless steering, large 16-inch tires, combined with a very well balanced machine gives it plenty of traction and makes it easy to use for almost everyone. This snowblower is so tough it does not require shear pins. The reinforced handles make the snowblower feel like the solid, well-built machine it is.
Recommended: Ariens Deluxe 28 Model 921046 Ariens Dealer Locator. Check out my video on YouTube. 28 inch 254 cc. For driveways up to 150 feet and 100 inches of snow a year. It doesn’t clog when blowing heavy, wet snow. This is the standard heavy-duty snowblower that everyone else is trying to beat. The Deluxe 28 a very basic snowblower that blows snow better than most. It has power steering (automatic – no triggers), simple crank chute control, locking deflector control, and a headlight.
Good Value: Troy-Bilt Storm™ 2890 Snow Blower Buy Directly from Troy-Bilt or Buy Here at The Home Depot. Troy-Bilt Storm 2890 28 inch with Power Steering! It’s also the Quietest Gas Powered Snow Blower on the Market! The Storm 2890 has all the features of the Best Value Troy-Bilt Storm 2860 above and adds power steering and the Troy-Bilt quiet engine (with Noise Guard Technology) for only $100 more.
Heavy-Duty Won’t Clog On Heavy/Wet Snow
Recommended: Toro Power Max® HD 928 OAE (265cc Auto Steering) Check out my video on YouTube. Toro PowerMax HD snow blowers have been good machines for years and they have made some improvements recently including an all-metal double-jointed chute and all-metal impeller housing. 14-inch impeller, no shear pins, new stronger gearbox. They are very easy to use. They now have two engine sizes for typical and heavy snowfalls. Power Max® HD series is also one of the farthest throwing snow blowers on the market and has a much greater capacity than the Honda Snow Blowers that cost much more.
Recommended: Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO Model 921048 Ariens Dealer Locator. Check out my video on YouTube. More power than the Ariens Deluxe 28 and the SHO impeller will throw snow up to 55 feet! The Deluxe SHO is one of the farthest throwing snow blowers on the market and has a much greater capacity than the Honda Snow Blowers that cost twice as much
Recommended: Ariens Platinum SHO Rapidtrak 28. Ariens Dealer Locator. This snow blower is a game-changer in the residential snow blower market. All the traction of a tracked unit and the speed and ease-of-use of a wheeled unit. In addition, it handles heavy/wet snow better than all other 28-inch snow blowers.
Residential Track
Recommended: Ariens Platinum SHO Rapidtrak 28. Ariens Dealer Locator. This snow blower is a game-changer in the residential snow blower market. All the traction of a tracked unit and the speed and ease-of-use of a wheeled unit. In addition, it handles heavy/wet snow better than all other 28-inch snow blowers.
Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker™ 2890 Snow Blower Buy Directly from Troy-Bilt or Buy Here at The Home Depot. The Storm Tracker™ 2890 is a good snow blower if you are on a budget and need a tracked snowblower to get you up a steep driveway. This is essentially a Storm 2890 with a larger engine and tracks.
HUSQVARNA ST 427T. Buy here at ACME Tools: It’s designed for professionals who need a maximum-performance snowblower for commercial applications. Features include an electronic fuel injection (EFI) engine, onboard electric starter, all-steel control panel, heated handles, LED headlight, continuous track treads, hydrostatic gearbox, and a cast iron impeller. The working width is 27 inches.
Professional/Commercial Wheel & Track
Ariens and Toro both have over-the-top commercial 28-inch snowblowers that outperform anything else on the market. They are designed to handle more snow in a week than the typical residential snowblower handles in a year. Both the Toro and Ariens have about 30% more capacity than the same size Honda snowblowers and travel faster so you can get more done in the same amount of time. (Ski slope operators are replacing their Hondas as fast as they can with these because they are so much more productive) If you are a residential customer these are “buy-one-and-done” snow blowers. In other words, they will last so long you can give them to your grandkids. If you have large areas to clear and/or get over 100 inches of snow a year seriously consider one of these. Toro 28 in. 420 cc Model 38843, or the Ariens Dealer Locator.
Professional: Ariens Professional 28 Available with Briggs & Stratton or Ariens AX engine. Ariens Dealer Locator.
Professional: ToroPower Max® HD 1428 OHXE Commercial (38843) Buy here at The Home Depot 28 in. 420 cc. The 1428 OHXE is an excellent value at $2249. Cast iron skid shoes, drift cutters, and heavy-duty, square tube handle. This snowblower will blow snow right next to it and out to over 60 feet.
Professional: Ariens Professional 28 Hydro EFI Ariens Dealer Locator. 28 in. 420 cc.
Tracked
Professional: Toro 28″ (71 cm) Power TRX HD Commercial Snow Blower 1428 OHXE (38890) Buy here at The Home Depot 28 in. 420 cc
Professional: Ariens Professional 28 Hydro RapidTrak. Ariens Dealer Locator. 28 in. 420 cc.
The Best You Can Buy
Recommended: The Ariens Professional RapidTrak 28 in. Hydro 420cc Model 926060 Ariens Dealer Locator.is arguably the best snow blower for ALL conditions. With the high-speed RapidTrak, it will clear 15 inches or more as fast as you can walk! It has higher capacity, stronger engine, and is considerably faster to use. This is arguably the biggest, baddest snowblower on the market right now. It throws snow farther, has more capacity, is faster, and has better traction than anything else right now.
Professional: Toro 28″ (71 cm) Power TRX HD Commercial Snow Blower 1428 OHXE (38890) Buy here at The Home Depot 28 in. 420 cc. If you prefer trigger steering and a housing you can lock up so you clear area with larger rocks or turf that is mowed above 4 inches is the best choice.
30-Inch: Two-Stage – works on any surface
30-inch snow blowers are slightly wider and heavier than the 28-inch models. If you have a long driveway over 8 feet wide they are a good choice because two round trips will clear a 10-foot drive. All the models listed here have the larger 14-inch impellers and front auger so they will handle heavy/wet snow well and throw it a long way. All of these snow blowers can handle a wider 3-4 car driveway and throw it all the way off the drive. All are heavy-duty and can easily handle areas that get 80-100 inches a year.
Best Value Residential: Cub Cadet 2x 30 in. 357cc MAX. Buy here at Cub Cadet or The Home Depot. At $1499 this is a best value 30-inch snowblower. Strong, 357cc engine and the build quality is excellent. I especially like the dual-LED headlamps and the tall front intake.
Best Value Residential: Toro 30″ (76 cm) Power Max HD 1030 OHAE 302cc. At $1599 this is a best value 30-inch snowblower.
Best Value Residential: Ariens Deluxe 30 Model 921047 Ariens Dealer Locator. At $1499 this is a best value 30-inch snowblower. Check out my video on YouTube.
Residential: Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI 30 in. 2-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower Model# 921049. Ariens Dealer Locator.
Cub Cadet 3X 30″ MAX Snow Blower. Buy here at Cub Cadet or the Home Depot. I’m not a big fan of the 3-stage snow blowers but this one is different. It uses the larger 14-inch impeller so it has the capacity to clear lots of snow fast. The huge 420cc engine and 23-inch intake means it will handle just about any snowdrift you can throw at it.
Troy-Bilt Model # Arctic Storm 30″. Buy Directly from Troy-Bilt or The Home Depot. Check out my video of the 34-inch version on YouTube.
High-end Residential: Ariens Platinum 30 SHO 921051Ariens Dealer Locator. 414cc 30 inch Check out my video on YouTube.
Professional:
Cub Cadet 3X 30″ PRO H Buy here at Cub Cadet or the Home Depot.
Track:
HUSQVARNA ST 430T. This new snowblower is their new Pro model. It’s designed for professionals who need a maximum-performance snowblower for commercial applications. Features include an electronic fuel injection (EFI) engine, onboard electric starter, all-steel control panel, heated handles, LED headlight, continuous track treads, hydrostatic gearbox, and a cast iron impeller. The working width is 30 inches.
32-34 Inch Two-Stage – works on any surface
All of the 32-36 inch snow blowers on the market from brands I trust are heavy-duty snow blowers. Most are professional/commercial grade – meaning they are designed to clear miles of sidewalks and last a very long time.
The Toro and Ariens models are big snow blowers, yet are very easy to use. They are balanced well and most average size, healthy people can use them all day long.
Residential: Toro Power Max® HD 1232 OHXE (38842) Buy Here at The Home Depot. My choice for residential use.
Residential: Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm™ 34 Snow Blower Buy Here at The Home Depot. Check out my video on YouTube.
Professional: Ariens Professional 32 Hydro RapidTrak Ariens Dealer Locator.
Professional: Ariens Professional 36 Hydro EFI Ariens Dealer Locator.
Professional: 3X 34 in. MAX H 420 cc Three-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower with Hydrostatic Drive System Buy Here at The Home Depot.
Professional: Toro Power Max® HD 1432 OHXE Commercial (38844) Buy Here at The Home Depot.
Professional Track: Toro 32″ (81 cm) Power TRX HD Commercial Snow Blower 1432 OHXE (38891) Buy Here at The Home Depot.
Professional Track: Honda HSS1332ATD: 13HP 32In, Buy Here at ACME Tools. This model has the electric start. There is a recoil start also available from ACNE. The HS series Honda tracked snowblowers were the industry standard for years. The new HSS models have inherited that reputation although there are now other brands with machines that have higher capacity and are faster when clearing large areas. Dealer Only.
The rest of the snow blowers that get all the publicity. Why they are not on the list.
3-Stage Snow Blowers:
Don’t let the advertising hype or dealer sales pitches fool you. A 3-stage is not better than a 2-stage – it’s just different. Yes, a 3-stage snow blower has about 50% more capacity than the same brand’s 2-stage machine but that does not mean they are better than another brand’s 2-stage snow blowers. Remember a dealer is always going to tell you their snowblower is better than the dealer’s across the street. Read more about 3-stage snow blowers here: Is a 3-stage better than a 2-stage?
Craftsman at Lowes, DEK, Dirty Hand Tools, Worldlawn, Snow Beast, Champion Power Equipment, PowerSmart, Aavix, YARDMAX, DR Power, Generac, and other names you’ve never heard of.
Why are these brands not on the list? To put it simply. 1. Most of these snow blowers do not have nationwide service networks so getting your machine repaired under warranty can be a big issue. All parts have to be shipped from a central location – if the parts are available at all. 2. All but one are made in China. There are plenty of snow blowers made right here in the U.S. competitively priced and built specifically for our types os snow.
Note: Craftsman at Lowes. When I find out that the Craftsman at Lowes (Owned by Stanley, Black & Decker) has a nationwide service network where you can take your snowblower locally for repair and easily get parts I’ll take it off this list.
30-inch. 2-stage MTD Built Snow Blowers with 12-inch impeller:
Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 357cc 4-cycle Electric Start Two-Stage Snow Thrower, 30 inch Craftsman at Lowes, Cub Cadet 30 inch 2-stage, and Craftsman 88396. 30 inch, 357cc. All of these models are all basically the same snow thrower – just different paint and repair support. It’s a dependable snow blower but for most people, it just does not have the capacity of the more recent 30-inch designs. The closed front auger with 6 auger flites severely limits its capacity and the 12-inch impeller does not spin fast enough to throw snow as far as the more recent designs. Because of the lack of capacity, these are the models that want to ride up in deeper snow.
Honda 2-Stage Snow Blowers
Honda HSS928ATD, Honda HSS724ATD, and Honda HSS1332ATD. Yes, the Honda 2-stage machines did not make the list and probably won’t. Yes, I know they have the Honda engine, everyone, raves about. Yes, They throw a plume of snow a long way. But, they are just too expensive for no electric start, (a $200 option), underpowered, and plug with wet snow. Plus with the older style antique track drive system they are slow. You can actually buy the Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm XP 34 Snow Thrower or Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO for half the price and have a much higher capacity, more heavy-duty snowblower. If you need a tracked machine the Ariens RapidTrak is the best choice.
Poulan Pro and Jonsered Snow Blowers have dropped off the list. The snow blowers continue to be good machines but you can now buy a Husqvarna with better dealer service network for the same price. Husqvarna, Jonsered, and Poulan Pro are made in the same South Carolina assembly plant and Husqvarna’s have more features.
If you have questions feel free to leave a comment below.
Thanks for reading this very long post.
This list of the best snow blowers is based on my hands-on reviews over the last 15 years, plus discussions, interest, intent to buy, and purchases of snow blowers on MovingSnow.com. This list is not reflective of actual sales by the manufactures or retailers. Other websites and forums will have a different viewpoint than MovingSnow.com. For the record: No one pays me to review their product but a few manufacturers do let me use their products for testing. When they do I always will tell you upfront. The information here – like my snowblower videos on YouTube is to help you decide which is the best snow blower for you – not to promote a product for you to buy.
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Niall
Hi Paul,
Would you recommend the Husqvarna ST124 as it is only $799CAD. I was planning on getting the Ariens classic 24 but that is $1,339CAD, so with tax added to both of them I would be saving $610CAN if I got the Husqvarna which is quiet a lot of money.
I can fit 4 cars in my driveway and I have a side walk. Would it be able to handle this driveway?
Thanks,
Niall
Paul
Hi Niall, Capabilities, and performance of the two snowblowers are very comparable.
The price difference is because of where they are built. The Ariens is made here in the U.S. so the extra money is Tarifs/dollar exchange rates. The Husqvarna is made either in Canada or in a country that Canada doesn’t charge tariffs for outdoor power equipment.
In this case, I would recommend the Husqvarna. You’ll be just as happy with it as the Ariens.
Mike
Hi Paul, thanks so much for all of this research! I appreciate good advice from someone who clearly knows what they’re talking about!
I live in the suburbs of Chicago where we get ~36″ of snow per year. I’m a first time home owner, but grew up using a larger 2 stage snow blower and loved it. I need a snow blower in the next few weeks before the first snow. My driveway is 30′ wide and 50′ long and is mostly flat with a very slight downhill to the street.
I was looking for a 2 stage snow blower, but I’m intrigued by the Snowmaster 824 QXE (especially after you said you owned one and recommendations from other sites), but I’m worried that it won’t be able to handle the wet, heavy snow that we get 1-2 times every year.
Would you recommend a snowmaster 824 QXE for my circumstances or a larger 2 stage? If larger 2 stage, your article recommends the 24″ Cub Cadet or would you recommend another?
Thank you!
Paul
Hi Mike, If you do get t8 inches of heavy wet snow or you get a large snow plow drift the Snowmaster really wimps out. Other than that it will work well.
I highly recommend the Toro Power Max 826 OHAE or the Ariens Deluxe 24. Both will handle any snow you get and last many, many years.
Amanda
Hi Paul,
I just sent a comment on my snowblower but realized I forgot the model number. I live in Chicago and have a long driveway – approx 100 feet. I’ve been shoveling the last few years and decided it’s time for a snowblower. I just purchased the Troy Bilt 24” 208cc model# 2420 snow blower. My parents are suggesting I get a Toro instead because that’s what they always had. Should I return the Troy Bilt and get a Toro? If so, what Toro would you recommend? I’d like to keep it under $1000.
Thank you!
Amanda
Paul
Hi Amanda, Yes, compared to the Toro 824 OE Model 37798 the Troy-Bilt 2420 is not as good – but – it is $300 less. That said, is the Troy-Bilt a good snowblower for Chicago? Yes. So what are the differences?
1. The Troy-Bilt 2420 uses a 6 HP motor. The motor has enough power to throw most snow 15-30 feet. It also has a simple hand-crank discharge and a long chute so it is easy to use and the chute holds the snow well so it doesn’t blow back into your face. It’s not going to move snow as quickly as the Toro – the Toro has a larger engine – but it will get the job done. The only other negative is it’s fairly awnry when it comes to fuel and a lot of owners have problems with getting it statred in the fall. I strongly recommend you go out and buy a new sealed gas can, buy fresh 87 octane E10 fuel (DO NOT USE E15 FUEL!) and use a fuel stabilizer to keep the fuel fresh. I use the Sea Foam in the link and put 2 tablespoons per gallon right in the gas can when I go buy fuel. If you keep it inside the snowblower will last you 10-15 years.
2. The Toro 824 OE Model 37798 has more power so it will throw the snow 20-40 feet. The way the Toro is designed it won’t plug on the heavy, wet snow Chicago sometimes gets. It’s also not a susceptible to old fuel as the Troy-Bilt (I still recommend a new gas can and fresh fuel) The biggest advantage for the Toro is you have many local dealers who can help you if you have any issues or need warranty work. If you keep the Toro inside it will last 15-30 years.
Frank
Hi Paul,
Love your articles/videos and I appreciate your knowledge and guidance! I am interested in buying a snow blower for my driveway. The driveway is about 225 feet long and 15 feet wide. The top section (near the garage) is about 50 feet wide and the total area is right around 6,000 square feet.
We get about 40-60 inches of snow per year, but I’m trying to compare the Toro 828/Ariens Deluxe 28/Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO. I would be interested in the Toro 928 too, but it is out of stock everywhere.
In summary, I am leaning towards the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO, but only because of the size of the driveway and the extra engine size over the Deluxe/828.
Does my thinking sound correct to you? Would it be overkill to get the SHO and do you think that the Deluxe 28 or Toro 828 would be sufficient?
Thank you so much!
-Frank
Paul
Hi Frank, more power is never “overkill” especially since you get the occasional lake effect.
Since your driveway is fairly large I also suggest the Ariens Deluxe 30, Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI, and the Toro 1030. The two Ariens machines use the same engine as the Deluxe 28 SHO.
Snowblowers are still being made (Parts delays) so be sure to ask your local dealer when they will be getting them in.
Seth
Hi Paul,
Thanks for a very informative website. However I am looking for a bit of clarification – can the Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI (921049) be used on gravel? I live around 8k ft elevation in Colorado with a 300+ ft driveway that is a mix of asphalt and gravel. I like the intake size to reduce time, but worried I’ll be spitting gravel.
Thanks in advance,
Seth
Paul
Hi Seth, Yes, you can use it on a driveway that has both asphalt and gravel. If you are buying from a dealer have them set the scraper bar clearance to 1/4 inch. If you are buying from a retailer go to the Ariens youtube channel and they have videos on how to adjust the clearance.
Basically,
Set your snowblower on a flat surface.
Put something about a 1/4 inch thick under the scraper bar at the bottom of the auger housing (I have a piece of 1/4 inch plywood.
Loosen the skid shoes on both sides and let them drop down.
Tighten the shoes back up. Hold the shoe as you tighten it so it stays level on the ground
Remove the plywood. That’s it.
If your gravel driveway is frozen you can use a paint stir stick. It’s only about an 1/8 inch.
Yes, this will leave a little snow on the blacktop but usually the sun comes out after a snowstorm and that will melt off quickly.
Josh
Question: I live in Colorado and we get about 50 inches of snow a year. The vast majority of snowfalls are 4 inches or so, with one or two large dumps of 12+ inches.
I was looking at the toro power max 826 vs the snowmaster 824. I think that the snowmaster would be great except for the two large snowfalls we get a year, but I was curious on your thoughts.
Also, I cant find the 824 anywhere and I was wondering if they stopped producing it. Thanks for your time.
Paul
Hi Josh, The Pandemic has put a huge crunch in our supply chains. The 824 should show up but it may be November before your dealer gets one. That said, you will really like the 826. It can handle any snow you get. No, it’s not as fast as the Snowmaster clearing light snow but the time difference will only be 5-10 minutes on a typical 2 car driveway. Plus it will always be able to clear the drift the snowplows leave you.
Kerry
hi Paul looking to buy troy built storm 2890 or the cub cadet 31ah5fvt596 both have 28 inch cut with 272 cc engine both have heated hand grips powers steering troy built 1599 cub cadet 1699 live in Ontario Canada get about 40 to 60 inch of snow clean 40 x 100 feet driveway what do you think is best value
Paul
Hi Kerry, I’m going to tell you a secret MTD doesn’t want you to know – they are both the same snowblower! So do you like red or yellow better? One old-style headlight or two newer wrap-around LED lights?
Nick Pavelchak
Hi Paul,
1) Thank you for hosting this site. It has inavaluable information.
2) I am a retiree living in rural upstate NY. We get lots of heavy wet snow, including storms with over 3 feet. I have a 400 foot sloped gravel driveway and also clear a 20+ foot swath around my house for my dog and access to outbuildings. I have had mixed success with plow contractors for the driveway and hate having to power sweep all of the gravel back in the spring. So I’m looking to replace my really nice Ariens 30” Deluxe EFI with something that will eliminate my need for a contractor. I am not mechanically inclined so need something that is reliable, easy to maintain, and also not a chore to use.
At this point I’m looking at the Ariens 28” Rapidtrak Hydro Pro or the 28” Rapidtrak Platinum. Some sites recommend Honda over Ariens for ease of use and reliability.
I greatly appreciate your thoughts and input.
Nick
Paul
Hi Nick, It’s interesting that you mentioned Honda. I just helped another reader to find a better snowblower than his Honda HSS1332ATD. He complained the Honda was hard to maneuver and slow.
I understand your snow. I hauled in supplies one winter into Fort Drum and the snow was so deep you could barely make out the M1A1 tanks parked there. So – let’s figure out the best snowblower for you.
– A 28-inch snowblower will clear a 9-foot driveway in two round trips. A 32-inch snowblower will clear a 12-foot drive in two round trips.
– A 28-inch RapidTrak Pro or a 32-inch RapidTrak Pro will have about 30% more capacity than the comparable Honda 28 and 32-inch snowblowers. The Ariens get this extra capacity from the larger engine and a different, high-capacity impeller/housing design. What this means is you can walk a lot faster so you can get done sooner with the Ariens. In fact, the Ariens Pro will clear 16 inches of heavy/wet snow as fast as you can walk.
– I recommend the Pro models for you. The RapidTrak Platinum only has a 369cc engine and for your snow it won’t be a whole lot better than the 30″ Deluxe EFI you now have. the 420cc engines on the Pro models are true commercial engines and they have exceptional torque and will last the life of the snowblower.
– 28 or 32? I have the 28 Pro RapidTrak and I’ll grab it first over any of the other dozen snowblowers I have sitting around. It’s so easy to use and fast. The 32-inch model is only about 25 lbs heavier so it will also be easy to use. Set the scraper bar for about a 3/16 inch gap (so the machine glides on the skid shoes) and it will be easy to turn and go in a straight line. (32-inch machines want to wander around if the scraper bar is rubbing the pavement)
– Many of the Honda owners are referring to the old HS series when saying the HSS series is easier to use. The old HS series did not have power steering
– If you haven’t check out my videos of the RapidTrak here: https://www.youtube.com/paulsikkema
JP
Hi Paul,
I live in PA (1/2 hour NE of Philadelphia), and I bought a Toro 724 QXE based on your recommendation a few years ago. While that machine works good, I feel like it is time for me to upgrade. I moved to a corner lot house and we have a large 2.5 car wide 3 car long flat asphalt drive way, plus a concrete slab sidewalk along the front and going around the side of the house and get the usual northeast wet sloppy snow (35 inches average) per year. Also, being the corner lot, I have to deal with the snow plow snow wall. I’m most likely considering the Toro 828 vs Ariens 28 Deluxe, and it seems that you don’t have a preference of one over the other.
Two of my concerns are:
1) The current Toro 724 (non adjustable skids if I’m not mistaken) doesn’t clean the snow to the ground as much as my two neighbors (One has a Cub Cadet and the other has a Craftsman). This is probably a user error, but not sure.
2) Some of the “reviews” (none of yours), mention that the triggerless steering system of the Ariens is too sensitive or finicky and causes the machine to change direction too much leading to a more tiresome upper body effort to keep the machine on the correct path. My wife doesn’t use the snow blower, but if the day every came, that would be not possible for her to control.
Based on this info, would you still recommend one of the two aforementioned machines, or is there a third one I should consider as well. Thank you for your great work!
Paul
Hi JP,
The Toro 828 or the Ariens Deluxe 28 are good choices. If you want a little more power the Deluxe 28 SHO and the Toro 928 are also good choices. We are getting a little late in the season so finding a specific model may be hard. So any one of the four is a good choice. Have you seen my video on the Ariens Deluxe 28 and the Toro 828? Ariens Deluxe 28 or Toro 828 OAE? Which One Is Best For You?. In the video, I spend a lot of time explaining how the AutoTurn works.
1. Your 724 may not be cleaning down to the pavement for one of two reasons. 1) The scraper bar may be worn. The SnowMaster uses a plastic, replaceable scraper bar and it may be time to change it. 2) The 724 is a very lightweight machine It weighs at least 100 lbs less than MTD snow blowers your neighbors have.
2. Here is an answer that I use for most AutoTurn concerns.
Two reasons. Inexperience with snow blowers and not understanding setup/maintenance.
Inexperience: People who are new to snowblowers or those who have only owned a solid axle machine assume it should drive like their car or lawn tractor. With a lawn tractor, it will go straight as long as you don’t hit a bump or dip in your lawn. You’ll have to move the steering wheel to keep it going straight when you hit the bump. Another example, and probably a better one is a Zero-turn mower. With a zero-turn, you have to have both hands on the handles for it to drive straight. Again if you hit a bump you’ll have to move the levers to keep it going straight. When you mow along a slope – mowing a ditch – you also have to press the downhill lever more to keep the mower straight or it will wander off. Snowblowers work the same way. You need to hang onto both handles for it to go straight. Solid axle machines and trigger steer are kind of like the lawn tractor. They will go straight until you hit a bump or try to clear a frozen snowplow bank. The Automatic steering models are more like your ZTR. You have to keep both hands on the levers/handles or it will not go straight. But, they will not zerk you around as some inexperienced operators claim. A properly setup Ariens/Toro and an hour of experience will fix most complaints.
Setup/Maintenance: I’ve been doing this a long time and the number one reason a machine doesn’t work correctly is that the new owner assumes it is ready to go when they pick it up at the big box store. The snowblower is partially assembled and put in a crate at the factory. A forklift moves it to a storage location – then it’s moved to a semi – loaded on the semi – bounced around for 600-1000 miles – taken off the semi – and the crate is banged around some more at the big box destination. Someone rips the crate off, finishes the assembly, and puts it out on the sales floor. You take it home assuming it’s been checked for proper assembly and aligned and ready to blow snow. The new owner brings it home and starts using it. He doesn’t review the operator’s manual to make sure it was assembled and set up correctly. It doesn’t work right so he blames the machine.
You’ll notice that when you buy it from a dealer it’s assembled, set up, tested, and ready to go. I almost never hear of a machine not working correctly when bought from a dealer.
To make sure your new snowblower is set up to drive straight follow this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkjL84P_EuU&t=218s
Maintenance is also needed. One skid shoe may wear quicker than the other. One tire may lose some air. If the machine wants to wander around more than it should it’s time to do a little maintenance and check that everything is as it should be.
JP
Paul,
As always your replies are well thought out and extremely detailed. You simply are the best with the amount of time you spend on your videos and replies. It indeed is very difficult to find any blowers at the current time, therefore I will probably wait until fall 2021 to make the upgrade. If there are new models etc., I will surely check your “New for 2021” article before making a final decision. I’m about to watch the steering video you linked in the answer to help with the decision process.
Cheers!
JP
michael press
Paul curious i never see you do videos of the ariens platinum series. I live in new york, owned an ariens for about 20 years before it needed to much work and got a toro 824oe, my dealer was out of ariens at the time… i have owned the 824 for 10 years and i dont think it compares to the ariens… the 11″ auger just doesn’t cut it for deep snow or heavy snow, and after 10 years it struggles, rusted early on and was never as good after the first few years…. going to replace it and leaning towards the ariens 24″ platinum.. as i like the bigger engine, SHO and chute control as well as hand warmers the platinum series gives me… i have considered another 824 only because its 40% cheaper, but keep thinking about the build quality of the toro vs the ariens. The ariens weighs nearly 100 pounds more which is a little concerning for me as i approach 60… thoughts ?? and would love to see you do some comps against ariens platinum as wells know your thoughts on their EFI engines compared to carburated….thanks for all your info
mp
Paul
Hi Micahel, Ariens decides which models they want me to review. I always suggest the Platinum 24 SHO but they always choose something else. That said, I did review the Platinum 30 SHO a few years ago.
The Platinum 24 SHO is the biggest, baddest 24-inch snowblower on the market. If you have a small driveway but get lots of snow its the best choice. It’s been VERY popular around Lake Tahoe with their “snowcrete” and Buffalo/Fort Drum area because it can handle that heavy wet stuff they always get.
The EFI gives it almost 15% more power and you never have to worry about fuel. Just turn it on, pull the rope and it starts. Everything else today is EFI – your car, your boat, even your chainsaw. It’s time snowblower engines catch up.
Yes, the Platinum 24 weighs more but the extra weight is balanced over the wheels. It has the best traction and you won’t notice the extra weight at all.
joe
Hi Paul, I live in Long Island, NY where we typically get less than 30 inches a year, but can get 12-20 from a single storm. I don’t have a big property so not that much sq footage to remove from, and my biggest concerns are wet snow, and plowed snow from the snow plow truck driving by. I was thinking about a single stage. Any suggestions? I also don’t need an electric start if there is a particular model with and without.
Paul
Hi Joe, Single-stage snowthrowers don’t handle more than 6 inches well and they don’t handle the snowplow drift well at all. Two-stage machines like the Toro 826 OAE and the Ariens Deluxe 24 are smaller snowblower that can handle all the snow you get very well.
John
What is the steepest grade a SnowMaster 824 QXE can be used on a cement Driveway ? My grade is 7% .
Paul
Hi John, I don’t recommend it for any slope. It’s too lightweight to have the traction to go up a slope. (regular 2-stage machines are 250-400 lbs – this one is 131 lbs)
It’s also too lightweight to go downhill. Because of the plastic scraper bar, it wants to coast/slide down the hill, and with the Personal Pace, it will just run away from most people.
Mr.Freeze
Hi Paul, This winter we finally got a chance to use our Ariens RapidTrak 926060 w/hydro tranny. The machine is great – thanks for your recommendation. The unit is very nimble for its power and size – which is a huge plus. Due to new driveway pavers, I replaced the Steel Skid Shoes with Composite ones. Even with “Dig In” mode, the unit can ride up on packed snow. We also have sloped driveways. I’ve just ordered the Ariens weight kit – which weighs 10 lbs. The Steel skid shoes weighed around 4 lbs. Would you recommend installing 2 – weight plates for a total of 20 lbs, or should 1 be enough? Any other advice? Thank you very much.
Paul
Mr. Freeze, the weight kits are actually a counterweight to the snow cab.
Most of us set the scraper bar gap at 1/8 inch so they do always leave a little snow (but they don’t catch on all the cracks in your driveway)
If you have to have all the driven on snow off your driveway I suggest investing in a single-stage gas-powered snow thrower as your second machine. They have a front rubber paddle and you can lift up on the handles so that it touches the ground and grinds off the packed down snow.
I have a high-traffic sidewalk that I clear and a single-stage makes short work of getting all the snow off.
Mr.Freeze
Hi Paul, I’m preparing to put the snow blower away for the summer. I only use Synthetic motor oil in the 4 cycle gas engine, and change the oil once a year. Do you recommend changing the oil before putting it in storage (springtime), or in the fall? Some people recommend changing it in the springtime as to not have the dirty oil sit in the engine for 6 months or so. However, some may argue that new oil sitting in an engine for 6 months will attract moisture and degrade some. [I usually change it in the fall to have the freshest oil in the engine] What are your thoughts and recommendation? Thank you very much! Best wishes.
Paul
Hi Mr. Freeze. Synthetic oils won’t absorb moisture. That said, I recommend changing it in the spring. After you change the oil run the engine for a minute or two at full rpm. That coats the interior with the new oil and protects the inside of the aluminum engine from oxidizing.
Michael Roesch
Paul,
I took your advice and got a new snowblower. I live in a rural area and wanted to get a brand serviced locally, so I purchased a Husqvarna 430T. A month after buying the snowblower I got an offer from Husqvarna to purchase two more warranty years and pick-up and delivery for $359. What is your opinion on buying an extended warranty for a new snowblower? Thanks in advance.
Paul
Hi Michael, I don’t recommend Protection Plans from the box stores but an extended warranty directly from the manufacture is a good choice. Why?
1. Pickup and delivery are $65-$125 depending on where you live. Two problems in 5 years can eat up that cost of the warranty.
2. The ST430T a lot of extra nuts, bolts, tracks etc. so there are more things that could go wrong. The extended warranty covers those items longer.
3. The EFI on the unit is new. I don’t expect any issues but’s nice to know it covered for an extra 2 years. The circuit board for the EFI is probably $350 if it goes bad and 90% of the time if it’s going to go bad it will do it in the first four years.
Andrew Triggs
Thank you so much for your detailed reviews. Can’t seem to find any information like this on the web. I liked the section about dealing with the mess the plow leaves behind. That’s what I’m trying to remedy. You recommend the Ariens Deluxe 24 or the Toro Max Power 826 OHAE. Does all the technology of the Toro really help it keep up with the Ariens? The impeller and auger are so much smaller (11 inches?). I don’t want to drop over a grand on a new unit, but I see some local listings for the Toro at $750 and older Ariens Deluxe models under $500. I think I might spring for one of these older Deluxe models with a big impeller and large motor and retire my single stage Honda.
Paul
Hi Andrew, Because of the ACS design the Toro 826 doesn’t plug on wet snow but the Deluxe will move a lot more snow. The larger impeller was made for that snowplow pile.
Zoaib Qureshi
Paul, thank you for putting this together; very informative. I have quite a long driveway (8+ Cars) and quite wife also. I currently use a Troy Bilt 30 inch but I had a freak accident with it so not usable anymore. Wondering if you can recommend one model which will you will to replace my 30 inch snow blower. I am located in Massachusetts so we get rough winters regularly. Thank you again!
Paul
Hi Zoaib, I suggest an Ariens Deluxe 30 as a direct replacement or go the Ariens dealer and get the Platinum 30 SHO. They will handle you heavy/wet snow a lot better than the Troy-Bilt (MTD) snow blowers.
Eddie Clark
Hi Paul, What are your thoughts on buying from Snow blowers direct? I’ve recently seen videos on YouTube regarding Ariens snow blowers being junk and the customers claims of Ariens not backing the machine. He also claims poor design and build quality of the unit as well as the cab kit he bought. I don’t want to name the channel but it shouldn’t be hard to find if you would like to check it out. The snow blower is a Deluxe 30 SHO model.
Paul
Hi Eddie,
1. Online warehouse stores like SnowBlowersDirect sell you the product but don’t offer any help if you have problems. They tell you to go back to the manufacture.
2. These type of businesses are just flow-through” or drop-ship, meaning they ship you the item in the original shipping crate. They don’t inspect or assemble the product like your local dealer does. It’s up to you to read the owners manual and assemble the product correctly.
3. The manufactures rely on their dealers for warranty issues, setup issues, parts missing issues, and helping you if you have a problem. Calling Ariens, Toro, Cub Cadet etc., and expecting them to send someone out to fix your mistakes is a VERY frustrating experience.
So in the case of the Redneck he purchased a unit from the online warehouse. It was shipped to him in a crate.
1. He didn’t bother to read the assembly manual.
2. He didn’t inspect and adjust the transmission drive belt before he started using the machine. That’s why it wouldn’t push through snow.
3. He didn’t adjust the skid shoes for the gravel driveway. That’s why it was digging rocks.
4. Almost immediately he hit something and broke a shear pin. That’s why it wanted to ride up all the time.
I call that a comedy of errors…
So, instead of calling the online warehouse and having them tell him to contact an Ariens dealer he decided that Ariens was to blame and called them wanting Ariens to come out and replace the machine. (Ariens didn’t sell it to him – snowblowersdirect did)
He refused to work with a local dealer. Even though it was really his fault for not reading the assembly instructions. (He blamed Ariens for his own ignorance.)
If you read down through the comments on his videos you can see that we told him what was wrong, how to fix it and how to work with Ariens and the Ariens dealer. Instead, the old coot just kept complaining…
Rob
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the great reviews.
I am trying to decide on the Toro Power Max HD 928 and Aries Deluxe 30.
I live on the east coast of Canada with about 115 inches of yearly snow on average. My driveway is about 350 feet single lane. What are your thoughts? I have looked at your reviews on the Toro and I’m pretty impressed. Rob
Paul
Hi Rob, I like them both and they are pretty equal in snow handling, ease of use, and dependability. I suggest going to the Toro and the Ariens dealer and buying for the dealer you like the best.
Mike
Hi Paul, thanks for all the great information. I’m replacing my 23 year old MTD with a Toro 828. I’ve always used Stabil but noticed you mentioned Sea Foam. What do you think is best for the new Toro?
Paul
Hi Mike, In my opinion, Stabil (red) is just for long term storage. I like to use a product that keeps the fuel fresh and cleans the carb system. Sea Foam is my go-to but I also recommend K100 and Stabil’s 360 Performance additives.
Shelley Coldiron
HI Paul. Help! I’ve read the reviews and can’t decide what would be best for me. I live just outside of Whitefish Montana. I’ve been here a year. Last year I bought a used Craftsman snowblower, ugh! I am a petite but strong woman. I need power steering. I have a 3 car outbuilding with a large concrete pad in front. My turnaround is gravel, so are all the areas in front of my house and my gravel driveway is long and sloped. The snow can vary from powder to wet and icy So far I haven’t experienced more than about 8″ in a single snow but I’ve been told it can be several feet in a single storm. Could you suggest what might be best for me? Thanks.
Paul
Hi Shelley, Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO or Toro Power Max HD 928 are both easy to use snowblowers that can handle anything you get. They will handle the powder and won’t clog on the wet/icy stuff. They are balanced very well so they are easy to turn. If you are short when you first use one the handles will seem high but that will give you the leverage you need to push down on the handles to lift the front to make a turn.
These snowblowers have automatic steering – no triggers to pull – you just drive them and they will automatically turn for you.
Shelley J. Coldiron
Thank you so much Paul! I will check in to both of them. Cheers!
Shelley J. Coldiron
Another question. How do you adjust between a graveled surface and a concrete service? Thank you!
Paul
Using the skid shoes you adjust the clearance of the scraper bar under the back of the auger housing. Put 1/8 inch clearance for pavement and 3/8 to 1/2 inch for loose gravel. But – I compromise. By now your gravel should be frozen so the skid shoes won’t sink into the gravel. I adjust the scraper bar clearance to 1/4 inch. It cleans the pavement well enough and doesn’t pick up too many rocks.
Here is a good video that you can use for either snowblower you get.
Mike
Hi Paul! Merry Christmas! 15 year old 28” Craftsman with Tecumseh Snow King finally reaching its breaking point. Northern Ohio – some years light snow. Others we get blasted with feet at a time. Oftentimes it’s plowed/churned heavy wet snow. Or it’ll be a wet soggy slush base with lake effect on top. I want to be able to move a lot of snow fast for me and all of my neighbors. 50-100ft 2 car width driveways and I do about 5, plus all of the sidewalks. Again sometimes I’m only moving 6 inches and other times 2.5ft. I’m between the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO (simply because of the insane power with a smaller bucket… power to auger ratio is my rationale) and the Toro PowerMax HD 928. Would you recommend one of those models… or something else?
Paul
Hi Mike, I also like the crazy power of the Ariens but for your situation, you’ll like the wider width of the Toro 928. It will handle any snow you get and get done faster for most of your snows.
Matt
Hi Paul, I have a pro 28 and I added a cab enclosure to it. I recently had a snow storm with a lot of wind, 50 mph gusts, and it made for very hard snow drifts. Prior to the cab, I never noticed the machine wanting to climb in any type of snow conditions. What I’m wondering is if areins weight kit is heavy enough to fix this issue?
I really like the cab, it helps with the a flying snow. I’m in the country and not sheltered from the conditions like a neighborhood provides. I had a 40 inch craftsman front mounted blower for years, but this machine easily out preforms it.
I’m a subscriber to your channel and enjoy the very detailed descriptions you give. Merry Christmas and thanks, Matt in MN.
Paul
Hi Matt, If you purchased the Ariens Snow Cab the part number 72406500 weight kit is a 10 lb. weight and will be just right.
Lee S
Hi Paul. Couple comments and looking for some advice.
We just moved to suburban Boston. Driveway is roughly 5 cars (3 wide by the garage doors, 2 wide at the base by the street). This is our first time having to move snow.
I purchased the new EGO 2-stage snow blower. It’s awesome, easy to use, throws the snow far. The major downfall is the batteries are good for about 30-35 min (I confirmed this with EGO, despite their claims that it will do an 18 car driveway with 8″ of snow on a single charge). A second set as a backup costs a minimum of $500 for the 5.0ah and $700 for the 7.5ah batteries. That’s a deal breaker. The machine itself costs $1,300 with 2 batteries, so now you’re talking almost $2,000 just to get an hour of run time.
I am going to return the machine in favor of a gas blower. Very disappointing as I’d hoped it would be a great, simple solution. I think EGO is going to see a lot of these machines come back.
So, I’ve been debating which gas machine to get. I think I’m between the Ariens Compact 24, the Ariens Deluxe 24, or one of the Toro models. Love the joystick feature of the Toro, but the the Ariens reputation seems top notch. I like the lighter weight/smaller size of the Compact 24, but want to make sure it has enough power to handle the driveway. It seems the 2020 models have been upgraded with larger engines and auto-turn, which seems like a nice feature. I like simplicity and ease of use (hence the EGO), so would probably be willing to sacrifice a little power for simpler features.
Thanks a lot!
Lee S.
Paul
Hi Lee, If this is your first year in Boston I have to ask you a question. Do you want a snowblower that does some of the snows you get, most of the snow you get, or all of the snows you get?
1. The Ariens Compact will handle the “normal” snow you get. The 2-10 inches that you usually get 8-10 times a season. It a well-built snowblower but the capacity is more suited for Chicago and the Midwest than out there on the east coast.
2. The Ariens Deluxe 24 has a larger intake and impeller so it can also handle most of the snowstorms you get. In other words, it seems like you always get 2-3 12-20 inches and it’s fairly heavy snow (good snowman snow) While the Ariens Compact will clear this snow eventually, the Deluxe 24 will do it much faster and throw the snow well clear of your driveway so the next storm you get won’t drift your driveway closed as much.
3. About every three years or so you get “Noreasters.” The last one dumped 30 inches plus of heavy/wet snow that pretty much shut down your area. The Ariens Platinum 24 SHO will handle that type of snow without a wimper. It can handle that 4-6 foot snowplow drift and throw it across the street. A lot of owners who have narrow lots love it because it can throw the showdown the side -sidewalk into the back yard.
Mario
Hi Paul,
Awesome site! So glad I found this, way better than the generic sites that come up on google for snow blower recommendations.
Our drive way is all paved asphalt that is pretty flat. Coming in from the street, the first part of the drive way is about 100 feet long and 15 feet wide and it goes up a gentle slop before flattening out. It then opens up to be 30 feet wide for the next 100 feet up to the garage. There is also a small turn around area that is about 40 ft by 30 feet (this turn around area is found in the middle of the section that is two cars wide). I can throw snow to either side of the driveway and it usually doesn’t drift back. I also have to clear the heavy mix at the end of the drive way from the town plow trucks.
The average snow fall per year where I live is 42 inches (south east Connecticut). Most storms drop between 6-12 inches, and we get one or two a year that are 12+ inches. We don’t get a ton of fluffy snow, and we don’t get a ton of super heavy and wet snow. It tends to be in the middle of these two extremes.
Looking for your thoughts on a good machine for us. I’d like to spend less than 1k. The Toro 824 Snow Master seems interesting because I think my wife could handle it if I’m away, and I think it would do okay in bigger storms if I go out once during the middle of the storm?
Point of reference, the only snow blower I’ve used before is an old Joh Deere 1332 DDE, this seemed like overkill for our situation and my wife couldn’t handle it at all.
Thanks!
Paul
Hi Mario, Actually the Toro 824 Snow Master or the Toro Power Max 824 OE are not good choices at all. But the Toro Power Max 826 OAHE is probably the perfect choice for her (and you)
The SnowMaster doesn’t throw snow as far as the width of your area by the garage. Rethrown snow is harder to throw. The biggest issue with the SnowMaster is your slope. It’s a very lightweight machine so it will have traction issues going up the slope. In addition, it coasts downhill and you would have to try and hang on to it going downhill – not an easy thing to do on snow. It also really wimps out on more than 12 inches of snow.
The next step up in the Toro line is the 824 OE. It does not have power steering so it’s almost as hard as your old Deere to use.
So, the 826 OAHE is the best choice. It is very easy to use. It has automatic steering so all she has to do is move the handles and it turns. It’s balanced very well so it has plenty of traction for the slope. It will throw your snow completely off the driveway and won’t plug on the wetter stuff. It can handle the occasional 12 inches plus without whimpering out.
It’s a little more than 1K but you will be glad you got it over the other, less expensive Toros. (By the way, prices have gone up over the last few years. That $999 snowblower is now around $1300)
Dave Duma
Love your site. It’s so hard to get info like this.
I just saw a Youtube video of a guy who had to replace the entire gearbox under a newer machine… Plastic case and it was inferred that some of the gears inside were plastic. This instead of the old friction disk system. Is this a common problem… and therefore something to avoid?
Paul
Hi Dave, Donboy73 tore apart a GT snowblower transmission. They were only put in a few Briggs & Stratton, Murray, and Simplicity snowblowers. They are no longer available.
Tom
Paul,
I live in western MA. We get on average 40″ – 50″ of snow, often the heavy, wet muck. I have an asphalt driveway, fairly flat, with the driveway 15′ x 60′ opening up to 28′ x 60′ asphalt pad with a three car garage on one of the long sides and about 3′ of property on the other long side before the neighbor’s property. In the past, I have been blowing half the pad into the back yard and the other half along the side and front yard with a mid-90s Ariens 824 blower. The blower worked well at our last house with a much shorter driveway, but here it can take me hours to clear.
I do not want to spend more than $2K, so I am looking at the Ariens 28 Deluxe SHO, the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO, and the Toro Power Max HD 928 OAE. Any thoughts?
Thank you,
Tom
Paul
Hi To, All good choices but you may want to move up to the 28-inch machines. The Ariens 28 Deluxe SHO and the Toro 928 are both equal and I have no preference for either one.
Tom
Paul, I understand the comment about the 28″ machine. On paper, I do like the fact that the Platinum has both chute levers on the dash instead of having to reach over the dash to move the chute on the Deluxe. Does 4″ make that much difference when it comes to clearing the snow?
Paul
Hi Tom, Everything else being equal a 28 inch would save you 15-20 minutes each time it snows. But, with the larger engine-to-size ratio of the Platinum 24 SHO you will be able to walk faster in deep snow than you can with either the Ariens Deluxe or Toro 928. Taking that into account you may only gain 10-15 minutes with the larger 28-inch machines.
Tom
Thanks Paul!
Patrick Koczenasz
Hello Paul, last year I purchased a Toro 826 OAE based on your recommendation. I wanted to thank you for the recommendation. We get a lot of wet snow here in West Michigan & the 826 OAE never gets clogged. My wife has no issues maneuvering either with the automatic steering. I see this years version includes hand warmers. Do you know if there is a way to add hand warmers to the 826 OAE? Thanks in advance. Kozy
Paul
Hi Patrick, I’m glad you got the right snowblower! Toro is stating that you can’t put hand warmers on the older model and they don’t have a kit that includes all the parts. But, there have been a few owners who have looked at the parts diagrams for the new model, ordered all the parts, and installed them. They say it works just fine.
Now, myself, I know the alternator on the engine may not be strong enough for both the lights and the hand warmers. If I installed them and they didn’t get very warm, or the light started to blink I would unplug the light and see if that helped.
Or, I would just go buy Milwaukee heated gloves and not mess with the snowblower…
Aaron
Hi Paul! I bought an undersized blower 6 years ago when we lived at a smaller place. Time to upgrade.
Our new driveway is flag-shaped, about 75′ long with a 20 x 25 parking pad near the garage. Very level. We live on the edge of the snowbelt of Cleveland with an average snowfall of 75 inches. Trying to decide between a Ariens Compact 24 and a Toro Snow Master 724/824. Both from local shops. Really trying to keep this at $1000 or under. Thanks!!!
Paul
Hi Aaron, If you were not in the snowbelt the Ariens Compact 24 or the Toro 824 is a good choice. They work well for “normal” snow and will clear 2-8 inches off your driveway in an hour or so. Both of these snowblowers will plug if you get a lot of heavy/wet snow.
The 2020 Ariens Compact at $999 has AutoTurn steering and it MUCH easier to use than the Toro 824 at $899. (The Toro uses a solid axle)
But, I strongly suggest you spend $100 more and get the Ariens Deluxe 24. It can handle 12-16 inches of heavy wet snow. It will also throw the snow 30-40 feet and you’ll be able to clear the wide parking pad without having to rethrow the snow.
Mark
Hi Paul, I have to say thank you again for the recommendation last year on the Ariens Platinum SHO 24. Up here in Erie, PA last year I rarely used it. Well we got a good heavy wet storm today and it was like a hot knife through butter. I was able to throw snow into my neighbors driveway!! Heated grips are also really nice. The engine is thirsty but it is an incredible snowblower. Not once did it clog no matter what forward gear I was in, even in the slush. You can’t go wrong with this model if you are even close to this snow globe on Lake Erie.
Brent
Hi Paul! Thanks for all of your help. I live in west Michigan with lots of lake effect snow. I loved my old Ariens 24″ but wanted something a little bigger and easier to use for my wife when I’m out of town. I bought the Toro 1232 but my wife has trouble controlling because of the reach for the triggers. I am exchanging for the 1030 to still maximize the size but switch to triggerless steering. Do you think there is a noticeable difference in maneuverability (due to size and weight) between the 928 and 1030 that would make the 928 a better choice? Is there a height difference?
Thanks again!
Paul
Hi Brent, there is no height difference in the handles on the Power Max HD models but the 928 or 1030 will be a lot easier to control because there are no steering triggers.
The 928 will be the easiest to use but they are kind of hard to find so you may have to get the 1030. Either way, they will be a lot easier to control than the trigger steer models for her.
The 928, 1030, and 1232 all have about the same power to width ratio so buying the 928 won’t slow you down.
If you get the 928 or 1030 I strongly suggest you watch this video and make sure your snowblower is adjusted properly BEFORE she tries it. It will make a big difference in how she likes the snowblower. Toro 928 OAE Steering Problems? This fix works for all 2-stage snowblowers!
Bill
Hi Paul, hope you’ve had a great holiday.
I’m having a heck of a time trying to decide on a machine… garage space is limited so I’m looking at 24” models.
I live in NE Ohio, south of the snow belt but close enough to the lake to get hit with a couple of good dumps a year. Our driveway is approx 150’, single cafe flaring to two wide before the garage, with a pretty good downward slope from the garage to the street – about 8%. Our city isn’t the best with the plows so we get buried in pretty good at the end of the drive.
I’ve got it narrowed to the Ariens 24 deluxe, cub cadet 2×24, or Troy Built storm 2460.
I’d love your thoughts.
Thanks
Paul
Hi Bill, The Ariens Deluxe 24 has the best traction of the three. All the weight of the machine is centered over the axles.
The Ariens is the best for heavy/wet snow of the three. It won’t plug and will handle the snowplow drift the best.
If you want even better performance and more power look at the dealer-only Ariens Platinum 24.
Bill
Thanks Paul! I went with the Ariens. Now we just need some snow!
Jack
Paul you’ve got a great page here. For starters I’m located on the southside of Chicago and I’ve got an old single stage Honda right now. The engine is in great shape but it just doesn’t blow that mushy Chicago snow consistently. Usually the chute clogs, it appears the rubber is beat up and the chute bearing is kind of rusted so rather then troubleshoot it I just decided to make an upgrade.
I typically blow 250-300 feet of sidewalk depending on if I do the neighbors, a two car by four car driveway, usually only two car lengths of a one car driveway but sometimes more, and some sidewalk/the back patio in the backyard. I started looking at two stage self propelled blowers and sort of fell into the $800-$1000 price range. Right now I’m looking at the 2X 24″ cub cadet, the toro power max 824 OE 24″, and the Ariens Compact or deluxe 24″ but am kind of stuck deciding between the brands. I think I’m going to go to a dealer regardless of what brand I pick but do you have any input or a different model I should look at? They all seem like they have their pros and cons and I’m too young to figure out which is best.
I also have some side questions:
1. Is the blower just going to be in “neutral” if I don’t select a speed/when off?
2. Same if I have it set to speed but let off the throttle, say if I need to pull it backwards and realign or would I need to put it in reverse?
3. What are your thoughts on putting a snow blower cover it during the summer?
Thanks for the input/help!
Paul
Hi Jack, With the Cub Cadet 2X 24 you pull both steering triggers and the snowblower will freewheel so you can pull it back. With the Toro and Ariens just release the drive lever and they are in freewheel.
1. With the drive handle released the snowblowers are in neutral but you’ll still have to pull the triggers on the Cub Cadet for it to freewheel.
2. Leave your throttle at full speed. That lets the snowblower clear snow efficiently and it won’t plug. Use the chute and deflector to put the snow where you want it. Get used to using the gears. Yes, You can pull it backwards but snowblowers are heavy and you can easily lose your footing, fall down and get hurt.
3. I recommend storing the snowblower inside. I use the bottom, fitted, single-sized, bedsheet to cover the snowblower inside. Outside I would use a tarp because you can adjust the tarp to give good airflow around the machine. Snowblower covers keep the snow off in the winter.
I recommend the Toro Power Max 826, Ariens Deluxe 24, Cub Cadet 2X 24 and the 2020 Ariens Compact with AutoTurn Model 920029.
I don’t recommend the Toro 824 or last years Ariens Compact because they don’t have power steering and can be hard to use.
Greg Willis
Hi Paul,
May I have a recommendation for a snowblower? I am unsure if I need a tracked unit.
I live against a north-facing hillside, at the back of a cul-de-sac where it seems like 60% of the snow from the snowplow ends up. My driveway is steep: the angle is 15°, registered by the inclination gauge on my truck. The house is at the top of the driveway. The concrete driveway is 20′ wide at the cul-de-sac and 34′ wide at the top. The driveway is bounded by concrete steps on one side and on the other a cement retraining wall with a fence on top. The retaining wall and fence is 4.5′ high above the driveway by the street and 8′ tall alongside the top of the driveway by the house. By February there will be an accumulation of 24″ inches of snow on my backyard retaining wall; mind you this is after freeze/thaw and settling throughout the winter.
The snowblower would be used to clear the driveway, mounds left by the snowplow, several feet of the cul-de-sac, and the neighbor’s driveway – which is slightly inclined. Occasionally I would also do by other neighbors’ driveways and cul-de-sac frontage. Their driveways are flat or slightly inclined.
Do I need a tracked snowblower? Would a wheeled unit and the occasional use of chains suffice? Am I better off using a snow plough shovel to get the snow to the bottom or the sides of the driveway (as I do now) and using the snowblower to finish off the piles of snow? In this case do I still need a tracked snowblower?
Any advice you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated, including suggested models.
Thank you for providing the best, most comprehensive and unbiased review site out there – one which actually reviews products rather than other substandard sites browsing the internet and assembling ratings from online shopping markets!
Kind regards,
Greg
Paul
Hi Greg, Snowblowers like the Toro Power Max Hd, Power Max, and Ariens Deluxe/Platinum/ Pro series are now balanced so all the weight is over the tires. This gives you a lot more traction than older machines or other brands that have a lot of front end weight. So, if you bought a Toro or Ariens you most likely won’t have an issue going up your driveway. These snowblowers will handle any snow you get and clear the snowplow drift very well.
I don’t like to recommend chains because they are expensive and will scratch your driveway.
If you really want a tracked snowblower look at the Ariens Platinum RapidTrk 28 SHO. It’s a great snowblower and it’s as fast as a wheeled unit.
Jon
Hi Paul, last winter I bought a new Ariens Pro 28EFI. Your content here and some questions you answered for me were extremely helpful in how I made the decision on which model to buy. Fortunately/unfortunately, I never got a chance to use it last season. By the time I got it, there were no more storms. I’ll use it this year for sure. I have a “technical” question that I’m betting you can help with. The manual tells me to charge the battery every 3 months and for no more than 48 hrs. I’ve done that. However, here’s my question. When I connect the charger to the connector on the machine, the light on the charger turns green. As soon as I connect power/electricity to the charger, the light turns red. It stays red. At 47 hrs, it’s still red. As soon as I disconnect the electricity, it goes back to green. I’m not sure if the initial green light tells me the battery is fully charged or not. If not, then what is the red light telling me? How am I supposed to know when the battery is fully charged?
I have tried contacting Ariens, which was difficult to begin with. They were not willing to offer any assistance. “call your dealer”. My dealer has not sold many of these models, they told me that when they sold it to me, so it’s not like the guy answering the phone is a technical guru for all things Ariens.
if anyone can shed some light on this for me, I think it’s you. I’d appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks again for such a great site!
Paul
Hi Jon, I don’t know myself but I’ll get an answer for you. While we wait, do you have a voltage meter? (multi-meter) If you do measure the voltage at the connector. It should read 7.2-8.4 volts DC.
Under 7.2 volts the battery is bad. Fully charged, right off the charger it will read 8.0-8.4 volts.
Michael
Paul, After reading your comprehensive review page, and a couple other pages, I decided on either the Ariens Rapid Trak or Husqvarna 430 tracked blower. I ended up with the Husky because the salesman took the time to talk with me, and I have had good luck with my Husky chainsaw. I have a 150 foot gravel driveway that is sloped, and about a 60 by 20 foot gravel parking area by the house. I have never used a snow blower, but I expect I will be using one soon. My question concerns the gravel under the snow. What is my best option to avoid picking up gravel? Do I just put the skid shoes all the down or use the lift adjustment to keep the bucket up high? Or both? Thanks.
Paul
Hi Michael, Does your gravel freeze and get solid in the winter, or does it stay loose like pea gravel?)
If it freezes set the gap under your scraper to 1/4 inch. If the gravel stays loose set your gap to 3/8 to 1/2 inch.
Michael
Paul, thanks for the quick reply about snow blowing on gravel. We live in far Northern California, and our winter temps are often between 20 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. A really good snow for us would be 18 inches overnight, though we have had 8 foot of hard packed snow around the house. My long and sloped gravel driveway is made of 1 inch washed gravel that is not always frozen solid, so you suggest the scraper should be set at about 3/8 to 1/2 inch above the gravel? Also, as i want to be sure to do this correctly, I should just use the skid shoes to raise the scraper rather than involve the variable lift option used for transport? Thanks again.
Michael
Paul
Hi Michael, Always set the skid shoes. I use a piece of 1/4 inch plywood under the scraper for 1/4 inch. A 1/2 piece of plywood gives you a little over 3/8 and a 1×4 gives you about 5/8 inch.
Don’t use the lift – the snowblower will dig into the gravel unless your driveway is perfectly flat. Plus using the lift, the balance on the ST430 is a little weird and the snowblower will bounce up and down trying to clear snow.
Michael
Paul, thanks for all of your help, your comprehensive reviews, and your insights. What a great resource for guys like me that have no knowledge and a new snowblower, lots of gravel, lots of windows, and a wife questioning by abilities.
Ann
Hi, Paul – Thanks for all of the helpful information! I need your help. I’m west of Chicago on a corner lot with a good amount of sidewalk to clear along with two curb cuts due to a half circle drive. I’m trying to decide between the Ariens Deluxe 24 and the Deluxe 28. Thanks!
Paul
Hi Ann, The Deluxe 24 will clear a 40-inch sidewalk in one round trip – the 28 a 48-inch sidewalk. The Deluxe 24 is slightly easier to handle. If you have a “normal” 2-car driveway (2-car, 40-60 feet long) then the Deluxe 24 is the best choice.
Xavier
Hi Paul, thanks for this great resource. I am a first time buyer and deciding between a Toro Power Max® HD 928 OAE or Ariens Deluxe 28 Model or Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO Model. The Ariens SHO model is $200 more expensive compared to the other models.
Where I live the snowfall is ~120 inch and have a lot of wet/heavy snow. What snow blower would you recommend, I like the Toro but understood it has more plastic components what seems to worry some people. I have both a Toro and Ariens dealer in town that also provide service. Cheers, Xavier
Paul
HI Xavier, For the amount of snow you get you will want the Toro Power Max® HD 928 OAE or Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO. In fact, I usually recommend an even larger horsepower machine like the Toro 1428 or Ariens Platinum 30 SHO. That said,
The Toro 928 does not have a lot of plastic. The machine is all metal except for the dash. The dash is made of a special poly that is designed to handle the cold. It’s a completely different plastic than what the Chinese and other brands use.
The Deluxe 28 SHO is very comparable to the Toro 928. Both will handle your snow very well. The Ariens has hand warmers.
I don’t understand your pricing. The Toro 928 is $1499 (on sale for $1399) and the Ariens is priced at $1349 here in the U.S.
Scott Chernenko
Hi Paul, excellent page! No nonsense and to the point. I am in Canada and have a local Cub Cadet dealer nearby. I was excited to see the 2 x 24 model make your list but it appears the Canadian version is slightly different, I just don’t know in which ways. The picture on the Canadian site shows metal skids rather then the “cool blue”. I don’t know what else there would be. In Canada it is called the 2 x 24 Quiet….
I have about a 80′ x 30′ driveway and we average about 70″ of snow annually.
Paul
Hi Scott, It has the larger, quiet muffler on and a larger 243cc engine. That will be a nice snowblower!
Wayne Goeden
Hello Paul,
I have been looking and have narrowed my search to the Ariens Platinum 24″ or the Husqvarna ST327. It appears that the Ariens is heavier duty but not sure if it is worth the extra $450. I have a 3 car driveway and the city I live in gets a lot of slush and the city plow leaves a nice pile at the end of my driveway that my 30+ year old 9HP Yard King just can’t quite handle.
I noticed that you really didn’t recommend any non-commercial Husqvarna blowers and wondered if you have any issues with them?
Thanks,
Wayne
Paul
Hi Wayne, The Ariens Platinum has considerably more capacity, is built to last many, many years, and is an all-around better snowblower. It’s balanced well and very easy to use. It won’t ride up in deep snow and has better traction working in rough conditions like clearing a path to your shed. It is well worth the extra money if you want the best. It will be the last snowblower you buy…
Daniel
Hi Paul, This is an invaluable resource and appreciate all the work you’ve put into reviewing all of these snow blowers. I am a first time buyer. Currently live on the coast of NH where we avg about 60-70 inches of snow annually, but can get much more like we did in 2014/2015 where we got over 120 inches and I want to make sure I’m prepared.
Current situation and area I’d like to move snow:
1. Flat paved driveway of 150 feet
2. 40 ft x 40 ft flat paved area up by the garage doors (the 150 feet of the driveway includes this area)
3. Would like to build a narrow path on grass that is on an incline for the dog to do its business.
4. Need to build a narrow 150 foot path on grass so the oil company can get access to the house.
5. I’m tired of shoveling through the packed heavy snow and ice that will accumulate at the end of my driveway and near my mailbox once the town plows come through.
So far my research has me kicking around the tires of an Ariens Professional 28 Hydro RapidTrak.
A couple of questions for you:
1. Do you think this is too much blower for my situation?
2. Could I get by on a different Ariens model for less?
3. If so, what would you recommend?
4. I was able to find a local dealer who has a handful of Ariens in stock with the B&S engine and offering it for $100 less. I’ve been advised by some of my friends that the B&S engine would serve me better than the Ariens AX.
4a. Are there any updates on B&S current bankruptcy status and what it might mean if I did go for the Ariens with a B&S engine?
4b. Do you have strong opinions on the different engines?
I realize there are a shit-ton of questions here. Appreciate your input. Thank you.
Dan
Paul
Hi Daniel, For your situation, the RapidTrak Pro is the best. It can handle any snow you get and get it done quickly. That said, The Ariens Platinum 28 Rapidtrack (almost a $1000 less) will also get the job done well – just not as fast. A wheeled snowblower will not be as easy to use making the path for the oil company.
4. A Rapidtrak with a Briggs is now 2 years old. It’s been sitting in his shed for that long – even though the snowblower is the same as a new one, a $100 discount seems like an insult…
4. The Briggs engine is a good engine but the Ariens AX is better. Why? One of the big problems everyone had with Briggs is the dealer has to get warranty repairs authorized directly from Briggs before they could order parts and start the repair. It could take days to get a response and many times Briggs was not authorizing obvious warranty issues. I don’t know if this will get any better now that Briggs is sold and under new management.
The AX engine on the RapidTrak Pro is a commercial engine designed specifically for snow. That means it has more torque when you need it most and is designed to last a commercial operator years. The engine on the RapidTrak Platinum is also designed just for snow but it’s residential grade. That means it will last a homeowner years and years. Ariens is having zero issues with these new engines.
Pink Boot
Hi Paul, not sure if you got my previous post – I really enjoyed the article/recommendations and found it very informative. I live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and over the last 10 years we’ve averaged about 70 inches per winter (and have had some single snowfalls in the range of 20”). I’ve got a fair sized paved driveway approximately 20×60 feet. I don’t mind shovelling the light fluffy stuff but I’m tired of the wet/heavy snow and in particular the piles left by the Plow (ranging from packed to packed & soaking wet to all of the former plus large ice chunks)!!! There are a couple of snowblower specific retailers here in Ottawa that deal mainly with Ariens, Toro, Cub Cadet, TroyBilt…After reading your article I’m leaning towards either the
Toro Power Max 826 OHAE 37802 (on sale for $1,549) or the
2021 Ariens Deluxe 24 921045 (on sale for $1,599) or
(possibly the 2021 Ariens Deluxe 28 921046 – on sale for $1,799).
Either of these you recommend more than the other or would you recommend something different to alleviate that kind of ‘Street Plow Pain & Suffering’? Oh and it may or may not be used to clear some snow off the back lawn & interlock…for a small ice rink…it’s Canada!!!
Cheers,
P.Boot
Paul
Hi Pink Boot, My first choice is the Deluxe 24. It has quite a bit more capacity than the Toro 826. If you wanted to get done a little faster my second choice would be the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO (Not the Deluxe 28). You get quite a bit of snow and the larger engine on the SHO model will let you clear your snow quickly and throw it a long way.
Pink Boot
Thanks Paul good to know. I’ve never owned a snowblower before and have only used a neighbours’ once – I believe you mentioned the Ariens Deluxe offers heated handles for an additional $80 (probably closer to $100 CAD I’m guessing). Would you recommend the option for that price?
Paul
Hi Pink Boot. I have poor circulation in my hands so hand warmers are a must for me.
Pink Boot
Hi Paul – last questions I swear. Went to my local dealer today and after showing me all sorts of Ariens with and without bells and whistles I let him know I was looking for something in the $2k or less range and he pointed me to the 24″ Deluxe and like you said the 28″ Deluxe SHO. It’s $270 more – just wondering if you think that’s worth it for the extra power? I should also mention that my house kind of wraps around the driveway so I’d have to blow snow forward for the first 20′ from the garage and technically would be blowing some snow twice (not sure if that makes a stronger case for the 28″ SHO or not)?
They also offer a maintenance package $200/year where they pick up the machine in August bring it back to shop give it the once over (checking belts, etc.) and fix anything needed under warranty and deliver it back to you. I know you said Ariens are built to last so just wondering if you feel it’s worth it or if minor maintenance is something the average homeowner could do? I thought maybe getting that done before the 3rd year (i.e. just before the warranty runs out)?
Love the site and the advice obviously – invaluable for somewhat of a big investment!!!
Cheers.
Paul
Hi Pink, The Deluxe SHO throws snow farther so you may not have to throw the snow twice. If you do, then the extra power will get the job done faster. Plus, the 28 SHO has hand warmers.
Ariens snowblowers don’t need a lot of maintenance so every three years is a good choice. For $200 that should include spark plug, oil change, grease front auger, check the tires, belts, adjust the drive cables and lubricate the transmission gears. (warranty work and labor to repair the warranty item is no charge to you)
Pink Boot
Thanks so much Paul for everything!!! Think I’m leaning towards a little more power with the 28″ Deluxe SHO although the one he showed me didn’t have handwarmers – salesman told me they come optional and you can buy the kit and install yourself. Says it’s pretty straightforward so think I’ll see how it goes with my first ever snowblower and add it later if my hands don’t enjoy the winter. Cheers.
Eric Rentschler
Hi Paul,
Just one small thing you might want to update on this page. For the Ariens RapidTrak HydroPro 28, the 926060 model is the discontinued version with the B&S engine. The currently offered model is the 926078, which is identical except with the non-EFI LCT engine.
Regards,
Eric
Paul
Hi Eric, Yes, I’m currently working on the revision. Should be 3-4 more days.
Don
Paul
Your website is a great resource. Exactly the education I have been looking for!
I live in suburban Maryland and own a home with a 700 ft driveway (10 ft wide). The area near the house is roughly 30’x30′. The driveway curves and dips down and up over a stream bed (perhaps 30 degree grade in the worst spot). The driveway is asphalt and, unfortunately, has some areas with ruts. We may repair this in time, but the cost of that project means I may need to work with it for now during snow removal.
Our snowfall varies quite a bit year to year. Sometimes we may get no snow, usually 2-3 snowfalls less than 6″, but every few years we get a 2+ ft snowfall. In previous homes with shorter driveways, I have managed with shovels, an electric snowthrower and teenage sons. But, the length of my drive and my age now means a better method is needed.
Based on this and on reading your site, the features I think I need would be provided for with the 30″ Ariens Deluxe or Platinum.
– Am I heading the right direction, or are there other choices that are better?
– I read your info about the Deluxe and Platinum, but is the Platinum worth the extra cost for me? I am interested in something that will last a long time, even if lightly used for a year or two in a row.
– I have read that some machines use all metal parts while others use plastic. What is true for these machines?
– How well do the 2-stage machines do with clearing light snowfalls? One concern is how well I will be able to clear the sloped areas so that ice does not form and become a slip hazard for people or cars.
– Is it useful to use a pretreat chemical spray on the drive to prevent ice buildup, particularly on the slopes?
Thanks
Don
Paul
Hi Don, The Deluxe 30 will do the job for you. The Platinum 30 will do it faster – especially when you do get the 20 inches of heavy. wet snow.
– Both are all-metal. The Platinum has a bigger engine, a faster chute control, and hand warmers. (You can add hand warmers to the Deluxe for $80)
– Both will last years and years.
– Adjust the gap under the scraper bar to 1/8 – 1/4. I use cardboard or 1/4 inch plywood to set the gap. That way it will clear to the pavement without catching on every crack or rough spot. Typically, you will get sunshine the day after a storm so any snow will melt off. If you have an area the gets slippery snow melt (salt) or the chemical spray can be spread in those areas after you’ve cleared the snow.
– Very few consumers are pretreating. It’s expensive and you need special sprayers to do it right.
Dave
Hi Paul, thanks for providing such in-depth and informative reviews! I need to buy a snowblower for a vacation home at about 7k ft elevation in North Lake Tahoe (avg >140″ snowfall annually, 70’x22′ driveway with a gentle slope) and I’m wondering what you would recommend given the fact that I’ll likely only be able to blow the driveway out Fri-Sun and might face substantial accumulations Mon-Thurs – including the plow berm. Thanks in advance for any advice!
Paul
Hi Dave, The best choice, and in my opinion, the only choice for high elevations is the Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI.
The EFI will start all the time at that elevation – you don’t need to re-jet the carb as you do with other brands.
The Deluxe 30 has plenty of capacity and power to handle any snow you get – even the stuff that’s been sitting for a week. It’s easy to use and will last years.
You’ll like it!
Ian H Welch
Paul what are your thoughts in the toro 828hd?
I was set on a 928 but looks like home depot is out of them. I have a large gift card so I am kind of set on Home depot.
My other option is the 1030hd
Thanks
Paul
Hi Ian, Here is my comparison video fo the two 828 verses 928
Jason
Hi Paul, Got a new 250ft smooth driveway, much bigger than im used to. Deciding between toro 1028 or 1030, or Ariens deluxe 28 SHO or potentially the Deluxe 30 EFI….any suggestions? Thanks
Paul
Hi Jason, I recommend the Toro 1030 or the Ariens Deluxe 30 or Deluxe 30 EFI. The wider width will allow you to take fewer passes.
Balco
Hi Paul.
Researching a snowblower for a 250 foot driveway, 11 foot wide with a 50 foot wide section up near the garage. MUCH bigger than my old place. Narrowed it down to Toro 1028 or 1030 (confused why the newer, wider model is cheaper?) Or the Ariens deluxe 28 SHO or Deluxe 30 or Deluxe 30 EFI. Any recommendations as to which way I should go? Thanks so much.
Paul
Hi Balco, Toro made a lot of improvements in the new models so I recommend going with new. (Besides the dealer are not discounting the older models enough) Why is the new one cheaper? Toro redesigned the transmission so it now uses about 70 fewer parts – they passed those savings on to you!
I recommend the Toro 1030 or the Ariens Deluxe 30 or 30 EFI. Pick the dealer you like best – all three snowblowers are the best in the industry right now.
Ryan
Hi Paul, I’m looking to get my first snow blower this year and I’m not sure which one I should get. I live in Northern Michigan (Not in the Upper Peninsula) and we average between 120 to 145 inches of snow and my driveway is about 70 feet long and 14 feet wide. I was planning on getting a Toro Power Max 826 OHAE 26 in. 252 cc because it can handle wet/heavy snow but with the amount of lake effect snow we get it might not be able to handle it as easily. Should I invest to a bigger snow blower and if so which one? (The local Home Depot has all Cub Cadets and Toros on sale $100off)
Paul
Hi Ryan, For the amount of snow you get the Toro 826 is a little small. You will be much happier with the Toro Power Max HD 928. It uses a 14-inch impeller instead of the 10 inch on the 826. That will throw heavy/wet better and the larger engine will get the job done a lot faster. Physically, it’s bigger but it will be just as easy to use.
Cub Cadet only has one that will handle your snow – The Cub Cadet 2X 30 MAX but it’s a lot more cumbersome than the Toro 928.
Ryan
Well it seems the Toro Power Max® HD 928 OAE is out of stock and not available online at Home Depot but the bigger Toro 30″ (76 cm) Power Max HD 1030 OHAE 302cc is available with free shipping and is actually $200 off the normal price so I’ll probably just go a little bigger. Thank you for your help Paul your website is very insightful and I will most likely be referring to it for the rest of the winter season!
Jeff
Hi Paul! My goodness, thank you so much for this incredible site! Looking at buying a snowblower. We live in Yakima Wa, and get about 18 inches of snow per year. We have a large paved driveway (3 car) and a very long sidewalk. Can I get your quick opinion on a couple of things?
1. Based on your recommenations and some research, looking at the Ariens Deluxe 24 or 28, or the Toro max 826. You also seem to like the toro 828. Part of me wonders about the toro 826, for around $999? Might you have some wisdom? Thanks!
2. When do you feel is the best time to get a good deal on one? Wait until Jan/Feb? Black Friday? Any wisdom?
3. Do you recommend getting the extended protection plan? Every now and then you see a review that says after 1 year it didn’t work?
Thanks for any guidance!!!
Jeff
Paul
Hi Jeff, I think the Toro Power Max HD 828 is the best choice. It’s wider and you’ll get done faster than with the 24 or 26 inch. From what I remember in your area you don’t get a lot of snow but it can be really wet when you get it. The 828 will handle that the best.
2. Now is the best time. Nothing good ever is on sale for Black Friday and by Jan/Feb all the good snowblowers will be sold out.
3. An extended warranty from the manufacture is always a good deal – though they don’t always have one available. A protection plan is not a good deal at all. It’s run by a third party. Most of them will send your snowblower off to some faraway location and it takes months to get your snowblower fixed. Toro’s don’t have the kind of issues that would be covered under a protection plan anyway. 90% of the “doesn’t work” is people leaving old gas in the snowblower all summer and gumming up the carburetor. That is not included in Protection Plans.
Chris
Hi Paul,
Great, great, GREAT website. Thank you for what you do! I have a city lot north of Detroit with a wide garage approach in the back yard and a driveway that runs between the houses with nowhere to throw the snow. The first 4 weeks and last 4 weeks here have pretty heavy, wet snow and I need to push it into the back yard and then handle it again to get it off to the side. My current Ariens 5520 barely throws it 10 ft ahead of me and I have to stay in a creeper gear, so thinking of upgrading. Space is of a premium in the garage, so I would like to stick with a 24 or maybe 26 inch blower. Would the Ariens 24 (plat or deluxe) or the Cadet 3x 26 put me on the right track?
Chris
Paul
Hi Chris, The Ariens Deluxe 24 will throw any snow 35-40 feet – the Platinum 40-50 feet. Neither one will clog on heavy/wet or rethrown snow. As you know once you throw the snow it loses all the air and becomes very dense. Most snowblowers, other than the Ariens Deluxe/Platinum or Toro Power Max HD, won’t throw that type of snow well – if at all.
The Cub Cadet will throw most snow 30 feet but it will clog more than the Ariens on heavy/wet and rethrown snow.
Chris
Hi Paul!
Quick follow up: I went ahead and bought the 24″ Platinum SHO. Since then I seem to be the only one in my family praying for a heavy snow fall!
Since your recommendation, I’ve been watching the comments stream by. You really provide a great service to all of snow dwellers out here. Thanks again for keeping this site up.
Chris
Jean-Laurier Bérubé
Hi Paul, I’m hesitating, I could buy an Ariens deluxe 24 or a Husqvarna st 227 for almost the same price (100 cad$ more for the Ariens 1499cad$). Both are from trusted dealership. The Ariens seems to have better reviews but I wonder if I will regret the smaller size in the long run compared to the 27 inches of the Husqvarna
Paul
Hi Jean-Laurier Bérubé, If you really want an Ariens, get the Deluxe 28. It’s only $100 (U.S.) more than the Deluxe 24. The Ariens is built to last you many, many years. The Ariens has a much higher capacity, will throw snow farther, and won’t clog on heavy/wet snow.
Steve
Paul
Thanks for all your insight over the years. Very informative. It looks as though you’ve done a lot of hard work over the years. It’s appreciated
Anyway in the last 18 years I’ve had 11 snow blowers, all single stage except 1.
In my old house that faced south I had 2 snowblowers in 7 years. An electric toro 1800 and a white outdoors (mtd) small 2 cycle single stage.
This house that faces north I’ve been in 11 years. I live on a corner lot and have a 3 car garage.
I’ve had a Toro ccr2000, a Toro 521 (2 stage) Toro QZR621, Toro ccr2000, Honda 620, Toro ccr2000, Toro snowmaster qzr724, Toro QZE721, and the snow blower I just sold Toro QZE821.
I tried a 2 stage but given my house faces north I need something that’ll clear down to the pavement, that’s why I got rid of it. Because of space I didn’t want to have both a single stage and 2 stage. Besides my single stage have always done an adequate job.
The ccr2000 have always been a good go to machine in between snow blowers, but the smell of the gas and the loudness of the machine never worked out to good.
The snowmaster was an awesome machine but didn’t do good on packed snow and didn’t clean to the pavement.
The Toro 621, 721, and 821 were decent machines, but hated the fact they hit every expansion joint and small crack in my sidewalks. The 721 was the best out of them.
The Honda 620. I didn’t like the vibration and the chute design with that lip on the inside held a bunch of snow.
I kept buying the new Toros thinking I’d find the ideal machine but I didn’t. I did the same thing with my mower. I went through many mowers until I purchased my Honda HRX217. I’ve had it for the last 7 years. Love it.
As you can tell I’ve spent a bunch of money and lost a bunch of money on snore blowers over the years. Apparently I’m very hard to please or I expect too much.
Anyways, I have seen your videos on the Ariens Pro 21. You mention it doesn’t hit the cracks. You emphasize the Toro hit all the cracks.
It’s very appealing to me. What I don’t like about it is the hour meter. It looks like an hour meter I bought for my mower years ago and it had a sealed battery that only lasted 3-4 years then I had to get a new meter if I wanted one. I didn’t.
Thank you
Steve
Paul
Hi Steve, The Ariens Commercial 21, The Toro Commercial 721 (38754) and the Toro Commercial 821 (38755) have the spring-loaded (hinged) scraper bars so they will ride over the cracks better than the rest. They all work very well and are easily replaceable when they wear down but the Ariens has the heaviest built one so it will last the longest.
Hour meters for gas-powered lawn and snow engines are cheap and it looks like almost everyone is buying from the same company. You can get a replacement on Amazon for $10.
Chris
Hi Paul – what a wealth of information on your website. Thanks for what you are doing!
I’ve recently moved to Chicago, and have a house on a corner lot with LOTS of fairly smooth 50″ wide sidewalk to clear, and a very large paver driveway. I’m pretty new to snow moving, and am a bit all over the place..I’ve even considered the battery operated guys, but I don’t think they’ll get the job done. I think I’ve narrowed it down to:
Ariens Crossover – seems like a great value, and I like the thought of clearing down the the pavement, but am worried if it has enough oomph.
Arients Compact 24″ or Ariens Deluxe 24″ – I’m worried a bit about storage, but am wondering if I need this kind of power to handle what I’ll see here.
The last thing I want to do is save a few hundred bucks now and wish I hadn’t a few times ever year.
I’d appreciate any advice or thoughts you have to share.
Confused in Chicago,
Chris
Paul
Hi Chris, All three are reasonable choices for Chicago. The Crossover is only 20 inches wide so it won’t be underpowered. It will take you forever to clear your large driveway though.
The Compact with the new Auto-Turn is a good choice if you want to save a few bucks – but –
The Deluxe 24 (or even the Deluxe 28) is the best choice. It will handle ANY snow you get including the snowplow drift at the end of your driveway that you didn’t get plowed until the next day. In, addition it’s built like a tank and will last you many, many years.
It’s been a while, but Chicago is due for a major blizzard and you’ll be glad you have the Deluxe.
One last thing, the Compact only comes with metal skid-shoes. They can scratch your pavers. The Deluxe has optional poly skid shoes available. They aren’t cheap but they will last years and not scratch your pavers or leave brown rust stains on your sidewalk. When you set your snowblower up put a piece of cardboard under the scraper and that will give you enough of a gap that it doesn’t catch on anything but it will also clean well enough that the little snow that’s left will melt right off on the next sunny day.
mainemike
Hi Paul, thanks for the great website and videos! I’m in Maine, looking at the HD 828 vs. 928 at a Toro dealer. With my old Craftsman blower from 2001, I really had to manhandle the snowblower to make turns. I guess I’m a bit confused about the differences between triggerless steering vs. power steering. Do both allow for easier turning?
Paul
Hi mainemike, Trigger power steering is what you find on Cub Cadet and Husqvarna snow blowers. To turn you pull a lever under the handle to go in the direction you want to steer. That trigger releases the inside wheel so the tire doesn’t scrub on the pavement. It’s a lot easier to use than solid axle machines (like the cheap 24-inch snow blowers) , it’s easy to use but…
With triggerless steering on the Toro and Auto-Turn on the Ariens there is nothing “extra” you have to do to turn the snowblower. Just turn it with the handles and the locking differential automatically unlocks and lets you turn effortlessly. Just like in your car – you don’t even know it’s there – it just works without any interaction from you.
Dave
Hi Paul,
Great site! All of the information is very helpful as I try to educate myself and ultimately purchase my first snowblower. I live in the Northeast and my driveway is about 50′ x 20′. I am torn between the Toro Power Max 826 OHAE and the Cub Cadet 2 x 26. I want to get something that can handle the end of the driveway, and it is very important to have something that is relatively easy to handle. Which one of those two do you think is the better machine?
Paul
Hi Dave, Both are great snowblowers. Both can handle the snowplow pile and are easy to handle. I’m partial to the 826 because it doesn’t need triggers to steer and the Quick-Chute control is the easiest and best in the industry.
jandjkidchasers@aol.com
Paul –
Loved your website and all the great info. Trying to decide what the Ariens platinum 24 sho ca do that the Deluxe 24 cannot do on heavy, wet, slushie, central Missouri snow? I have a 25’ x 60’ driveway on a corner lot with sidewalks on both sides. I’m in my mid 50’s and unfortunately unable to scoop the snow that the plows leave at the end of my driveway
Paul
Hi jandjkidchasers, The Deluxe 24 will handle any snow you get very well. The Platinum with its larger engine will do the job faster and throw the snow farther. (50 feet compared to 40 feet with the Deluxe) The Platinum has a chute control that’s easier to use. Finally, the Platinum has hand warmers and if you have circulation issues in your hands you’ll like them a lot.
Jim
Hi Paul,
Great website and great information. Trying to decide between the ariens 28” SHO vs the ariens 30” platinum. Driveway 100×25. It appears the 28” SHO should be plenty but trying to justify if the platinum is worth the $550 premium with the added features and larger engine? Any insight appreciated.
Paul
Hi Jim, The Platinum has a better/faster chute/deflector control and a stronger transmission. With the larger horsepower and wider width, it will get the job done faster – if that matters to you.
The larger engine allows you to move more snow and throw it a little farther.
Alan
Hello,
I am looking at a Husqvarna ST330P or an Ariens Deluxe 28. A local dealer has the Husqvarna for the same price as the Ariens. I get the impression the Ariens is generally the better bet but with the low price on the Husq is it a better buy? I want to buy this once for 20 years. I have a long gravel driveway and it will be used in the grass areas of the yard. We seem to get a fair amount of snow as there was 4 feet in the yard when I moved here in Feb.
Thanks
Alan
Paul
Hi Alan, If you want a snowblower that will last 20 years and have no problems I strongly recommend an Ariens over the Husqvarna. The Ariens is built to last. That said, since you are at a dealer I recommend you get the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO. You will be glad you got the extra power for the amount of snow you get.
Kelly McCann
Paul,
I have a 150’ 2 car gravel driveway. I live in the Great Falls, MT area. I just ordered the Toro PowerMax 826 OHAE from Home Depot. Was reading more info and wonder if I should cancel it and get the PowerMax HD 828 OAE. Handwarmers will probably be nice. I also may transport it to our cabin on occasion to clear the deck which gets a lot of snow at times we are not there and need to clear it off. So manueverability is important.
Should I change?
Paul
Hi Kelly, While the PowerMax HD 828 will get your driveway done faster the 826 will be easier to use on the deck.
The 826 will go through a 32-inch door easily the 828 will just go through but you may scratch the door.
If you get a lot of heavy/wet snow the PowerMax HD 828 or 928 is the best choice.
Alan Luke
Hi Paul..We live in Southern Ontario. Looking for a new snow blower this year and am considering the
Toro Snowmaster 824 based on your recommendations. Have also seen a Husqvarna
model ST124 on sale. It appears to have a different
engine than the ST224.Can you recommend it?
I’m used to an old off brand Briggs and Stratton 2 stage that struggles with the hard pack at the end of the driveway. Is the Snowmaster going to be a better
machine for dealing with that?
Thanks, Alan
Paul
Hi Alan, the SnowMaster is not the best choice for end-of-driveway snow especially if the snow has sat and settled for a few hours. I would recommend the Toro 824 or 826 as a better choice.
The ST124 is Huqvarna’s answer to all the other “cheap” snowblowers on the market. It has a small engine and does not have ANY of the features of the rest of the Husqvarna line like power steering, hand warmers, and a decent chute control. If you want a Husqvarna I strongly suggest moving up to the 2020 ST224. It has all the features you really want.
All three of the machines I recommend will handle the snowplow drift well.
Alan Luke
Thanks Paul. I took your advice and bought a Toro
826 OAE. Not all of the model numbers that you mention are available here. I felt very lucky to find the machine that I bought! I think this year Canadian
snowbirds are staying home so are more concerned about clearing their driveways,(and they’re depleting all snow blower stock)
Jeff Daniels
We’re choosing between Ariens Classic 24 and Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE. Thanks to you, we might just go with the Ariens.
Charlene
Hi Paul,
Thanks for all your helpful insight as this can be a daunting task of choosing which snowblower is right for you.
I live in Ontario Canada and sadly they don’t carry all the models that you recommended. I was hoping to purchase a snowblower for my husband for Christmas and would like some help on which snowblower you would recommend.
We have a 2 car width paved asphalt driveway and a concrete sidewalk we need to keep clear
Based on your superior knowledge and what my local home depot carries these are the units I am comparing.
1. Ariens Deluxe 24 inch with 254
model#921045 $1,599.00
2.Ariens Compact 24 inch with 223 cc
model #920027 $?
3.Toro Power Max 824 OE 252cc
model #37798 $1,179.00
4.Toro Power Max 826 OXE 252cc
model #37799 $1,309.00
5.Troy-Bilt 26 inch 243cc
model#31AM6CP3563 $1,198.00
Could you please help me narrow down to the best 2 units based on these 5 models .
Thank-you
Paul
Hi Charlene, I recommend the Ariens Deluxe 24 or the Toro 826. The Ariens Deluxe 24 and the 2019 Toro 826 OAE (37799) have power steering. They may also have the 2020 Toro 826 OHAE (37802) which now comes with hand warmers. These snow blowers are well worth the extra money because they are easy to use and can handle any snow you get.
Ian H Welch
Hi Paul. Looking at both the toro 1030hd and the toro 826. I live in rochester NY and get over 100″ of wet snow a year. Which would you recommend? Also like the 928 hd but no heated grips and only $100 less than the 1030hd
Paul
Hi Ian, For the amount of snow you get and that most of the time it is heavy/wet snow you’ll be a lot happier with the Toro Power Max HD 1030 than the Power Max 926. The larger 14-inch impeller/auger, the extra power, and the extra width will give you about 30% more capacity over the 926.
PAUL SMIRCICH
Hi Paul, found your website from a Wirecutter article on snow blowers and it’s just what I’ve been looking for. Lots of information for us first time buyers. We’ve just moved to Eden, Utah, where they get a lot of snow. Usually at least 80″ a season, sometimes less, sometimes more. Our driveway is long but with only a slight incline so won’t need a blower with tracks. I’ve narrowed it down to the Toro Power Max HD 828 or the 928, really like the joy stick chute control and auto steering on both. Your thoughts or other recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks
Paul
Hi Paul, I’m going to suggest you get the 928. You’ll appreciate the extra power when you do get the deep snows.
PAUL SMIRCICH
Just noticed on the Toro website that the Power Max HD 1030 is only $100 more than the 928 and it has hand warmers. Would it be better to go with that one for a small increase in price? Thanks for your help.
Paul
Hi Paul, the Toro Power Max HD 1030 will have about the same speed and capacity as the 928. Since it’s 2 inches wider you can clear the same area about 10% faster. The hand warmers are nice.
The only disadvantage is if you want to put it in a building through a walk-in door you will need a 36-inch door. The 928 can go through a “normal” 32-inch door.
PAUL SMIRCICH
Thanks for the great advice and one more question. I’m leaning towards the Power Max 1030 and Toro is having a sale with $100 off regular price till November 4. I can get it through Home Depot, free shipping, or through a dealer in Ogden, Utah. The dealer would assemble but charge to deliver. Is it a big deal to just assemble it myself? Thanks again.
Paul
Hi Paul, no, it’s not hard at all. You basically remove the shipping crate, raise the handles and tighten a couple of bolts. Just follow the instructions in the Quick-Start guide and the manual. If a manual is not supplied you can read it here. https://www.toro.com/en/parts/partdetails/?id=51391
A couple of things to know.
1. Save a piece of cardboard to adjust the skid shoes.
2. Check the tire pressure and make sure both tires have the same amount.
3. When you adjust the skid shoes put that piece of cardboard under the scraper bar. That will give you the right amount of clearance for hard surfaces and gravel.
4. It will have oil in the engine but check it. Use 5W30 if it needs any.
5. When you put gas in it (87 octane up to E10) turn on the fuel valve and let it sit for 5 minutes before you first start it. I put 2 tablespoons per gallon of SEA FOAM right in my storage can when I get my fuel.
By the way: When I’m done using a snow blower I leave it running, turn off the fuel valve, and let it run to use up the fuel in the carb.
PAUL SMIRCICH
Think I’ll just go ahead and order from Home Depot though I’m still deciding between the Power Max 1030 or 928. The hand warmers would be nice but I’ve got heated gloves coming so that’s not important, and maybe one more thing to repair eventually. The 928 is a little smaller and might be a bit easier to maneuver in deep snow and store once winter is over. Thanks again for all the great advice.
Henry
Thanks Paul! Would the Toro FlexForce: 21″ Power Clear® e21 60V be powerful enough to handle snowplow piles at the end of my driveway?
Paul
Hi Henry, It has enough power but the intake is only 12 inches high. If you get taller piles you may have to knock them down with a shovel to clear them.