Ariens Pro 28 RapidTrak or Toro 928 OAE or Husqvarna ST430T - You Decide!
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- Опубликовано: 15 дек 2019
- From the last video, a subscriber asked to see how far Toro 928 would throw snow compared to the Husqvarna. To save you from asking I made this video with all three. So, here is the Ariens Pro 28 RapidTrak, Toro 928 OAE, and Husqvarna ST430T compared side-by-side.
This is just a comparison of the three clearing the same snow on turf. I pushed each snowblower as hard as it would go - meaning I tried to move as much snow through each snowblower without it pushing a big mound in front or dumping the snow off to one side. 
Хобби
Paul, thank you! This is an outstanding video. You were able to really show the difference between capacity and just a long throwing distance. I see so many videos showing Honda's throwing the snow like the Husqvarna, but never an objective capacity analysis.
Absolutely the best channel for honest/unbiased/see for yourself snowblower reviews. You get to see a lot of machines varying in size/price/performance by different manufacturers and choose according to your needs and budget, many thanks.
Love the triple screens Paul!
All excellent machines. Great vids Paul, wish we would get some real snow here in the Lower Hudson Valley of NY. Your channel is far and away the best channel and resource on RUclips for all things snowblower. This channel is a must subscribe if interested in snowblowers and other OPE 👍🏽👊🏽
Hi....I also live in the lower Hudson valley near Carmel. Howdy neighbor 😁
I've got a small 24" husqvarna I use for walk ways and back up for the plow, it is an impressive little machine, throws snow 50ft. Light and easy to move around. Does well with heavy wet snow too
Great Comparison Paul. Here in Newfoundland we get lots of snow. I decided to get the Husqvarna ST324P. But really, as you said horse power is King! All 3 are great machines. Mine came with a 5 year engine warranty, 5 Year Guaranteed To Start Warranty (GS) and a 10 Year Gear Box Warranty. I look forward to your nest video.
Such a great channel! Proud to be a fellow 🧀 head! I had a troybilt storm28 for 10yrs on my 5 acres and 300ft driveway and back yard. Just gave it to my exwife for her place in town, it STILL starts on 1st pull. 2 yrs ago I bought a kubota L2501, have accumulated a few extra attachments, and this year got me a 68" rear blower for it. But I still would like a blower for around the buildings and my dog kennel where my tractor can't get to, but the snow drifts horribly. I'm really leaning on the ariens rapidtrak 32. Probably a little overkill, but then when there's 4ft drifts, probably not. I wasn't a fan of the troybilt all in 1 joystick chute control, broke many hard to reach sheer pins, and hard to keep in place. The walking up effect was also a huge pain, but man, the snow that thing has thrown in the years and still runs like new is a big nod to mtd and the troybilt name. Great videos man, thanks for all you do.
I own an Ariens Deluxe with the larger engine and I love it! I compared Ariens and Honda models at the dealer, both having similar features. The salesman was honest and "up front," not pressuring me into buying one or the other. The Ariens was nearly $1,000 less costly. Honda DOES make good machines but you definitely pay for the name.
Wow, thank you for your time and effort!!!
Great video. I use an Ariens 28" Pro and love it. Up-State NY.
Thanks Paul for another great comparison video. You are my favorite source for home machinery. I am a Toro person all the way! Zero turn mower and last years model 826 OXE snowblower, baby brother to the 928 OAE. My drive way is paved and only 25 X 60 ft. The Toro works perfectly. Thanks again.
Thank you! that was awesome! Ariens it is for me! I didn't want to have wait or deal with waiting for a delivery man, my local dealer has an Ariens Pro 32 Rapid Trak on the showroom floor. Thanks again!
I bought the 928 HD OAE last year and set it up per your advice and its perfect for me. I'm 78 and its very easy for me to use.
Great video! Now I know what to buy ;)
Just bought the same ariens in your video. Cant wait to get her going
Great video! Which one did you like the best Paul?
I have an Ariens RapidTrak I just bought this year and love it :D
Great video helped me to decide on the Aarons rapid track 28 Thanks!
I have a Toro 1128, but the 928 Toro for a little less than 1/2 the Price of the Husky is a winner for the average home owner . Ariens is great if I had a huge area to blow I sure like the comparison side by side tests.. Well done Paul.
This has been an amazing year. Thank you so much for watching my videos and supporting through comments, likes, and shares. I especially would like to thank you, my subscribers, for supporting what I do here. Feel free to leave a comment below. (I do moderate the comments so it may not show up right away) Thanks for watching and please Subscribe!
Hi Paul I have a 1128 Power Max OXE Toro and thinking about the new 1428 any thought good or bad or the new ST 424 Husky I kind of like.
The 1428 is a good replacement for the 1128. It is now all metal, the 4-way chute control/gears are stronger and the extra power is a welcome upgrade. New LED high intensity light. The only thing you lose is the floating scraper bar.
I keep hearing way too many assembly issues with the Husqvarna ST snowblowers. Bad welds, bolts falling out, etc. If you want the most powerful 24 inch snowblower that doesn't clog on heavy wet snow I strongly recommend the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO or Platinum 24 SHO EFI models.
@@PaulSikkema so you would go Ariens Platinum in Mass north of Boston vs the Toro 1428?
The Ariens Platinum 30 SHO is quite capable of clearing the heavy/wet snow you get but the Toro 1428 will do it faster and throw the snow farther. The 1428 is also considered a commercial machine so even though the Ariens Platinum will last a long time for your driveway, the Toro 1428 will last a long time doing multiple driveways.
The rapid track an the toro are very very evenly matched. I love the husky too, but the Ariens an the toro are in a class of their own.
Thank you for you excellent videos on snow equipment. I purchased a Husky ST430T a little over 2 years ago and could not have been more dissatisfied. There are 3 reasons for this. Parts: The auger interlock cable broke after a couple of months and it took a year to get a new one. Ok, Pandemic, we'll let it go. Chute design: Last week with slushy snow the aluminum chute base flew off the machine leaving its mountings behind, still tight. Not available until April? There goes this season. Connectors: The connectors need cleaning and treatment with connector spray yearly or the machine will stop running. Especially the one on the on the fuel injector. It is stored in a dry, insulated shed. I always try to put it away dry and if not possible, dry it at the first opportunity.
I'm not an engineer but it is plain to me that the chute on this machine is badly designed. It plugs easily with wet snow and the vertical deflector is weak and will ride up. The chute is just too small and restricted.
I literally had to give it away as a trade-in on an Ariens Mountaineer Rapid-Trac. All my local dealers acknowledged that the Husky is a dog. None wanted it in trade. Night and day difference. The Husky will rattle your bones on my driveway and Ariens is smooth. The Husky will bog and the Ariens does not seem to know the meaning of the word. The Husky was a very expensive mistake .
Everything you said - I agree with except. The parts issue was not caused by the Pandemic. Husqvarna has had a major parts availability problem since 2018. So much so that many dealers will no longer sell any of their residential products - mowers, snowblowers, lawn tractors ZTR's and hand tools.
I keep my ST430T around only so I can show my viewers how all the other snowblowers are better :)
Enjoy your new Mountaineer! It and the Kraken are the best snowblowers on the market right now!
Paul - the Husq 430T is what I'm considering, as it has every feature under the sun and you seemed to love it in your intro video a few months ago, but why do you think it's going so slowly compared to the competition in your tests? Could it be the international-version chute guard thing? It's got the motor, the specs, the gear, to perform nearly on par with the Ariens, what's your guess on why it's so much slower in your test? Thanks! I'd just get the darn Ariens but I really want EFI with real electric start (none of that extension cord nonsense).
Thanks, love your channel and your videos are fantastic. Looking forward to your reply!
The main reason why it throws snow father but doesn't move snow as fast is because of the impeller and discharge. The Husqvarna uses a slightly smaller 4-blade impeller. That spins faster than the Ariens. The impeller discharge and chute are a lot smaller than the Ariens. (The chute guard is removed in this video :) So even though the impeller spins faster the discharge doesn't let as much snow out of the machine.
Husqvarna intentionally designed it this way because their biggest competitor worldwide is Honda. Honda snowblowers throw snow a long way but have about 30% less capacity than an Ariens. Europe and Japan, for example, get a lot more snow than we do and the area is a lot more densely populated so they end up piling the snow Into huge mounds. In other words, they have smaller areas to clear but have to stack the snow a lot higher. So speed is not as important and being able to pile it high.
Wanted to learn something in regards to uneven terrain, winding trails, climbing, descending rough grade
The Husky looks like it spits a lot of snow out of the top of the intake. I just bought the Ariens Rapid Track Platinum SHO. Not the hydro but a beast just the same! Thanks for the videos!
Thanks Paul, great video, If I was at Toro and saw this video, I would send you the 1428 HD and ask you to test it with Ariens and the Husqvarna. I think the Toro 1428 would win, big!
Thanks for putting in the work. I would like to see which cuts a plowed windrow best. That is more my struggle after the grader passes.
The RapidTrak in the normal track position will cut right through the plow drift. In dig-in mode it will cut through any frozen drift.
With the wheeled Toro you will have to "force" into the drift but if you only take 6-8 inches at a time it works well.
The Husqvarna is a big, heavy pig but I have more issues with it when I try to cut back that plow drift - especially if I let the drift settle for a couple of days.
@@PaulSikkema I’m leaning towards Ariens but remain less convinced the rapid track is a better option. I enjoy the maneuverability of wheels. What I was looking for was more dig in stability. Perhaps I need to give the rapid track another look.
With the RapidTrak you can raise the back of the tracks into "wheel" mode. Then it acts like a perfectly balance wheeled machine. That said, If you want a wheeled unit that can easily handle that type os snow drift the Toro Power Mad HD 1428 is a great choice. It has trigger steering so it will go straight until you pull the trigger under the handle to turn. The 1428 is also heavy, high capacity snow blower so it can handle waist high snowplow drifts that have been settling for days. And -it will throw that mess 60 feet!
Hi Paul, Was the Toro a track drive and when you ran your test on each snowblower, did they all have power drive and at what speed did you run the drives?
1. The Toro was not a track drive. (Toro's Power TRX HD is a higher capacity snowblower than the 928)
2. I went as fast and the snowblower could handle snow without pushing a pile in the front. That's why the Husqvarna took the longest to clear the snow - it couldn't process snow through the machine as fast as the Toro or Ariens.
3. The Toro Power TRX HD is very close to the capacity of the Ariens PRO. (A little faster the the 928 I used here)
The Husqvarna had a lot of snow churning at the top of the auger , and that seemed inefficient ? . All 3 machines throw the snow like crazy . I bought an Ariens deluxe 28” SHO with 306cc engine to replace an older 70’s vintage unit that is still working well.
Another interesting video Paul. That Toro sure seems to overachieve, I never would have expected that performance given the specs which is why your videos are so valuable. I'd love to see it against more direct competition like an Ariens Deluxe or Platinum. I would still lean towards Ariens if for no other reasons than it is still built in the US and hand warmers are not available on that Toro. Also the Ariens engine comes from an American company, even if it is built in China. I have always liked the Toro controls better though, and their designs in general.
I wear gloves when snowblowing, so my hands never get cold. That is why I don't need handwarmers. Just something else to break. :>)
I prefer hand warmers because I have bad circulation in my hands. Even with the heaviest gloves, my hands will get cold using a snow blower. So good hand warmers are something I look for.
I bought a Toro this fall, used it a few times. My only complaint is that first gear is too fast. I wish it was like my old Murray. I can literally throw snow into my neighbor's driveway if I'm not careful.
Great Video ..!
I’ll stick with my Ariens 24 compact 223cc LCT engine throws Snow ❄️ into neighbor yard & beyond..😂 1st Blower was John Deere had for 25years
good machine ..But I have say Ariens to me was best built blower out for $$ in my opinion
What gear do you have the Toro 928 OAE in? I have seen your other videos of the 928 and how you have to stay in 1st gear in high snow and wet snow. How fast can you go/what gear can you be in if there are 4-8 inches of fluffy snow? I’m buying my first two stage in the coming weeks and I’m between a 928 OAE and a 826 OAE. Should I expect them to travel through snow at equal speeds?
I was using 2nd for most of the video. I did stop and shift to first but quickly switched back to 2nd.
4-8 inches fluffy snow and you should be able run in 4th. The 826 OAE will be a little slower, just because it has a smaller impeller.
I thought the impellers were the same size on the 826 OAE and the 928 OAE. Both machines have an 11 inch opening. The 928’s auger is bigger but is the impeller?
The Power Max 826 OAE has an 11 inch impeller. The Power Max HD 928 OAE has a 14 inch impeller. (Three years ago there was a Power Max HD 826 OXE with a 12 inch impeller)
Great video Paul. I just bought Ariens Classic 24. What are your thoughts on this one? Since it's off season, I can't really test it. But this is my first ever gas snow blower, I was using Snow Joe Two Stage before and I've noticed that the engine in Ariens is loud, I mean way too loud. Is this normal?
It really depends on where you live, what type of snow you get and how big your driveway is.
The Classic is Ariens lowest price 2-stage. It's a great value for people with smaller one-two car driveways an get typical Midwestern snows. It will easily handle 6-10 inch snows and throw the snow 25-30 feet. It will handle your snowplow drift but don't be surprised if it plugs on heavy/wet snow once in a while.
My neighbor has one and it easily handled all the snows we got this year except one. We got one 8-10 incher that was wet and sloppy. He was having a really hard time getting through the snowplow drift so I went over with an Ariens Deluxe 28 and cleared it out for him.
@@PaulSikkema I live in Toronto where each snow storm brings upto 12 inches multiple times in a season. I was using Snow Joe Two Stage 80V snow blower before, which was working ok but I always had hard time with hard snow pushed to my driveway by snow plough. It also doesn't work well on heavy wet snow. Ariens Deluxe is almost twice the price as its not on sale, so I bought Classic at an off-season discount from Home Depot. Since it's pretty much off season now amd we are not expecting any more snow this season, so I was wondering if my decision is good or not and if it is worth switching from Snow Joe to Ariens. My house has two car garage and parking of 4 cars on the driveway.
Personally, I would keep both. The Snow Joe for 6 inches or less and the Ariens for more than 6 inches. I'll even use the electric for the driveway and then grab the 2-stage to do the snowplow drift and around the mailbox.
I’ll take the Ariens because it has the greatest volume and the lowest trajectory. Sure the Husqvarna with its high trajectory makes for an impressive spectacle but that comes back at you and in the most literal sense. One tim when operating a snowblower I had the chute aimed high and just a slight breeze started blowing the uncontrolled snow back toward me. I leaned towards the chute to aim it lower and gain some control of the snow but in doing so it exposed the skin on my lower back to the air and the snow that was blowing back at me and I froze in a ninety degree angle and remained in bed frozen in a ninety degree angle in muscle pain for three days.
So for me it’s Ariens for the win!
Also I’ve had Toro lawn mowers my whole life and had two but I’ve had an Ariens snowblower and though I prefer Toro’s mowers over Ariens’ the Ariens snowblower is second to nine as you can clearly see in this video. They can almost be described as industrial machines. They’re built like anvils.
I worked at a couple of shops in the last 4-5 years that sold all 3 of those models .. 1 shop was a Honda dealer , so there are actually 2 types of snowblowers (1 is Honda) and (2 is everything else) ... Ariens have a nice big rubber tire for the drive disc that lasts long they are a good snowblower ... Husky , we had a fair amount of trouble with.. 1st on a lot of models the crank pulley at the front of the engine wasn't the right size for the crank and the bolt was to short , there were kits to fix them but Husky didn't want them fixed until they failed and by then they fu@ked the end of the crank .. 2nd the heated grips on the Husky wouldn't get hot , the fix was change the stator for one with higher output but NOPE Husky wouldn't fix that either .. Toro they make a good snowblower (I actually bought 1 i got a 1028 ) we had very little trouble with the Toros ... Honda , on a Honda you aren't even going to change a belt for years , they are the BEST that you can buy but they are quite expensive , they are the best engine , best hydro transmission , they are just the best snowblower you can buy HANDS DOWN , same with their generators , atv's etc etc ...
Did you have any experience with the current HSS Hondas after they revised them? I know the newest HSS series had a 100% recall on the hydrostatic transmissions.
This was a fantastic comparison Paul. In my opinion, considering the fact that the Toro is not even half the price of the others and should last as long, i would say that for the average home owner the Toro is a very good choice.
Thanks again for the video Paul. Much appreciated 👍👍👍
I hear ya but I think many people (especially those in the North Country) would rather pay $200 or $500 more over the $1400 Toro 928...and get a non-RapidTrak Ariens Platinum 24 ($1600) or 30 ($1900). Here in my area of New Hampshire, I see mostly Ariens and Honda.
Yes, the Ariens are very popular in the Northeast. More and more people are buying the EFI models because they eliminate the fuel problems and give even more power and torque for the same cc's.
I’m doing that now… I haven’t used a Snowblower in over 20 years TBH but have been starting down that road… I’m in the Snow Belt and Toro has always been the brand, other than that maybe Craftsman. You can’t beat Ariens quality though but Husqvarna is a great option… hopefully we’ll see Honda engines in them all soon
Toro and Ariens are now the brands for the snow belt. They have the capacity to handle any snow you get. You won't see Honda engines on non-Honda snow blowers. Everyone now has engines with their own names on them that are as dependable and in most cases better than the Honda.
I have an Ariens 520E, about 10 years now. It's compact and easy to store in my crowded garage. It doesn't blow the snow into the next county but it removes it from my driveway, which is my desired outcome. lol I live in Wisconsin and like to support Wisconsin based companies whenever I can.
Check out the new Ariens Crossover. It's the same size as your 520E
@@PaulSikkema Not crazy about the auger assisted "drive". Reminds me of an old paddle flapper Toro single stage.
My driveway is 800ft in the Colorado mountains. Light snow but we get a lot of it. Would you do the Ariens Rapidtrak 32? Professional 36? My neighobr has a Honda 32 Hydrostatic that he likes a lot.
I prefer the RapidTrak. I like the extra traction it offers when you need it.
If your driveway is crowned the 36 inch may be hard to keep going straight. It's a big, heavy machine.
By the way the 32 RapidTrak has about 30% more capacity than the Honda.
Hey Paul I’m a new subscriber to your channel great work man my question is I don’t really need to throw the snow far but what I do need is Reliability speed and power which one should I go with my budget is about 2000 I don’t want traks though I like wheels... looking forward to hearing from you
Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO or Toro 928 OAE
@@PaulSikkema thanks Paul I think I’m going to go with the Toro 1030 it has all the bells and Whistles Couldn’t find anything wrong with this machine for the price what do you think and thank you for getting back to me I really appreciate it
I think it's a very good choice and it has hand warmers!
@@PaulSikkema ok Great thanks it honestly came down to the toro 1030 and the ariens platinum 30 and after the research I just thought for the money the toro wins if the ariens is a 10 the toro is a 9 for 400 dollars less thanks Paul!
Paul if it was your time to buy, which one would you choose? Your experience is respected. Let me know. Thank you.
As a homeowner the Toro 928 is hard to beat. I also like the Ariens Deluxe and Platinum Series. But, if I was using one commercially, all day long, you just can't beat the Ariens Pro RapidTrak. It is just so easy to use.
Hi Paul, is it a fair assumption that the Toro 1428 would be more able in heavy snow than the Toro 1432 because they share the same power plant, but the 1428 would be handling a lower volume of snow than the 1432 as it progress through the snow?
Yes, But 4 inches won't make a lot of difference.
Hi Paul.
I live in Northern Québec and believe me, even at this time of the year we have a hell of snow.... I would like to have your opinion between the ST 424T ($3500.00) and the Platinium 28 Rapidtrack ($ 3686.00). I was also considering the Honda 928 ( $4074.00) but after reading many comments, I changed my mind. I was also considering the Pro Track but at $4619.00, for my needs, I find it a bit expensive. (I have a contractor who do the big job and I need a machine for the finition and when my guy does not have the time to come . So, which one would you suggest to have a good snowblower for the next 25 years..... Thanks!!
If you want a 24 inch I suggest an Ariens Platinum 24 SHO or Platinum 24 SHO EFI instead of the Husqvarna.
The Platinium 28 Rapidtrack is a good choice if you need the traction to scrape off driven on snow. It also has more capacity than the Honda.
Either one will last you many years.
Thanks a lot for your suggestion!
Thanks Paul. Another question. I have bluestone walkways around the house and I’m worried a snowblower might scratch the stone. Is there a way to prevent that happening? Settings etc.....Or is there a manufacturer/model better suited for both driveways and walkways?
I live in Massachusetts near the coast so we get nor’easters and wet sloppy stuff as well.
Ariens and Toro both offer commercial grade poly skid shoes. They won't scratch your pavers. They are not cheap but will last you many seasons. Set the clearance under the scraper bar to 1/8-1/4 inch and it won't contact the pavers.
Again I'd have to choose the Ariens. You just can't beat the combination of power, speed, and agility. That's no knock on the Toro, at that price point it's one hell of a machine. I'd love to see the new commercial Toros compared to these machines. I would also like to see a Simplicity Signature Pro tested in this lineup but I think you mentioned in years past that Simplicity isn't really around your area.
The Toro for that price is great, and would agree it is a good machine. I have a Toro lawnmower, but I have an Ariens Pro28 for the snowblower for the past 9 years and it is awesome on the EOD. I have used Ariens all my life since the 80's. Disappointing on the Husky test how slow it is. the sooner I can get in from the cold the better, so speed for me is what mattered.
After seeing this I'm reassured with my recent purchase of the Toro 928. Now I just need to follow your other video on adjusting it because in the one time I've used it it's like a bucking bronco and the auger will hit the pavement.
Start by loosening the scraper bar and adjusting it all the way down. Then adjust the skid shoes so there is about 1/8 to 1/4 inch clearance under the scraper. That will make a huge difference.
Paul Sikkema thanks so much for the advice! I did that and ran it across the driveway...seems much better. Look forward to next snow fall!
Good job. One thing I have to know, why in the world do you have three of these behemoth’s? Right now I am re-powering in 1963 ARIENS that I got for free. Thinking about going from the original five horse up to 7 1/2. Tempted to buy a new one since my brother works at the factory and I can get a very good discount, but from what I have seen the antiques are the way to go. And from looking at the internals, it looks like something that belongs in a tank.
I also have a Husqvarna 1830 EXLT and a Troy-Bilt Artic Storm 34. Go big ot go home :)
Take a look at this video and tell me if the new ones are built just as well as the older models: ruclips.net/video/z_EFRKg33HY/видео.html
Paul Sikkema yeah, very similar. Almost can’t wait for it to snow.
Ariens is a heavier duty blower!! Metal is thicker everywhere on them
Hey Paul what do you prefer the Ariens deluxe 24 or Toro 824...thanks
That's easy. While the Toro 824 is a very good snowblower it does not have automatic steering like the Ariens Deluxe 24. The Deluxe 24 is so easy to use. The Toro 824 has a solid axle so it can be hard for some people to turn. The Deluxe 24 also handles heavy/wet snow better than any other 24 inch snowblower (except the Ariens Platinum 24)
Thank you sir! Going with the Ariens
Wow thanks for that question and response Paul I was going back and forth between two. Ariens for me also although the joy stick is neat and has close access on the toro 824
just bought a Toro Power Max HD 1428 OHXE, I decided it was time for an upgrade after the heavy wet snowstorm last winter. My 15yr old 5hp 24" Troy-Bilt just couldn't handle the heavy stuff. I not sure why I am watching these blower videos AFTER I bought my Toro, shouldn't I do that before I made my purchase? Anyway, I guess it is human nature to see what others think and if we made a good purchase. I think I did. I am surprised there aren't that many Toro 1428 videos out there.
Last year was Toro's first real push into the commercial (high dollar) snow blowers. The first year a model is introduced there usually are not too many units sold, so it makes sense that there are not that many videos of the 1428 and 1432 around. Toro's "sweet spot" for price has been around $1500 for years and only in the last few years have people been willing to spend more. Toro built them correctly and they've had no issues so I expect you'll see a lot more videos in the next two years.
Husqvarna been In operated for sum years, but one who just use less fuel and start in all conditions was the oldest Honda, while freez lock on all others. Sweden at -22 C.
Ok. I'll say it: that Husqvarna is embarrassing. I can't believe I actually was considering it. Sure, it'll throw snow over your roof, but it'll be summer before you finish your sidewalk, let alone get to your driveway. For a "Pro" snowblower that costs almost 3K, that's embarrassing. There. I said what everyone was thinking.
Ariens EFI biggest they sell vs a honda track biggest they have motor wise ?
That would be informing and fun
Here are the two best videos to help you decide:
Ariens: ruclips.net/video/1MPybBAjWPA/видео.html
Honda: ruclips.net/video/m6AhpNLtQtw/видео.html
Love your videos! Husqvarna all day. Gotta take a look at that one. Had my eye on the toro 928.
I'd like you show me Honda snow thrower (snowblower) between tracks and wheels.
I don't have access to the 2-stage Honda snowblowers (no one sells them in my area. That said, there is no difference between the wheeled and tracked versions. If you work on relatively flat areas and don't get a huge amont of snow the wheeled versions will save you a few dollars.
How would a Cub Cadet 3X do in this test, with tracs or without.
The 2X® 30" PRO and 3X™ 30" PRO H should be competitive.
Paul they all work as advertised but who has the better engine?
All three are using good, reputable engines but the Ariens has a commercial duty engine on the RapidTrak.
I choose Toro
Looks like the friction disk model does just as good as the hydros. What`s the difference in prices between the three?
Did you notice I had to stop and shift the Toro from 2nd to first? About 10 seconds later I shifted back to 2nd but the design let me shift without stopping it.
Ariens $3199, Husqvarna $2999, Toro $1399
@@PaulSikkema yes I noticed and the Toro is half the price of the other two and does just as good.
Yes, as a homeowner the Toro 928 is hard to beat. But, if I was using one commercially, all day long, you just can't beat the Ariens RapidTrak. It is just so easy to use.
@@PaulSikkema Very interesting, after reading your message I tried to change the gears up and down on my Toro. It works very well. Now I feel like I have and hydro transmission. 😀
@Paul Sikkema isn't it just a normal frictiondisc? Won't it wear out if you shift gears without stopping first?
Is there much difference / value between the 28’” and 26” Toro in terms of usability? Both good for the same customers? Do you suspect the 826 was discontinued due to being too close to the 928? Thanks.
Also, what’s the smallest snowfall amount (both wet and dry) for which you believe the Toro 928 is still the right tool and is effective, vs. a smaller machine? Planning on the 928 but don’t want something that’s overkill. Have a 4-yr old Powerclear 721 - has been amazing and has been way in over its head for a number of storms. May have considered adding the 826 now if I weren’t discontinued, but that 928 sure looks like a wonderful machine and investment. Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge through these videos and comments.
The 826 OAE is not discontinued! It's out of stock and Toro won't be able to fill any more orders for this season. Why? Because Toro is coming out with a completely new/upgraded line of zero-turns and their assembly lines are busy making them at this time.
I have a single stage that I use for snow that's less than four inches. I also have my scraper bars set at 1/4 inch on the two stage snow blowers so they always leave a little snow on the driveway.
I live on an ambulance route so I get a very messy snow plow drift. Any snow over 4 inches and I need the two-stage to clean that wet/heavy and usually slushy snow.
My vote is for the Ariens. I originally said the Husqvarna. Now that I see all 3 in action, Ariens all the way. Now in reality I can't afford the Ariens RapidTrax....so I would go with the Toro for price.
Recently my neighbor gave me his older Ariens Model 924121 - 1128 with a Sno-king Tecumseh engine. I replaced the carburetor, belts and greased it. The thing blows my 23 year old Snapper out of the water. He bought his Ariens in 2004. He purchased a Ariens pro 28. The thing is a beast. My Snapper is going to end up on Craigslist 😁😁😁
All three are solid machines, more than throwing distance I am more interested in build quality. That Husky really throws the snow far. I like the models with the hydrostatic transmissions. I have a 24” Husky and it really throws the snow far. The Tecumsuh engines are really impressive. They seem to be built well.
Just for clarity - Tecumseh quit making engines in 2007. The Husqvarna and Ariens use LCT and the Toro uses Loncin engines. Check more out here: movingsnow.com/2020/2020-snow-blowers-who-makes-each-brand/
Wow! I did not know that. I was assuming it was a Tecumsuh. But now you are refreshing my memory, the first time I looked at the engine I knew it was something different. Good engine though! Thank you for the correction!!
If you read further, LCT teamed up with Tecumsuh to use Tecumsuh’s OHV technology. So partially Tecumsuh.
You are very close to the truth. They are not "honda clones." LCT's initial engineering designs came from Lauson Power. Lauson owned Tecumseh. When Lauson sold off the Tecumseh refrigeration division if I remember correctly they also let the new refrigeration owners have the Tecumseh brand name. What I don't know is if Lauson sold the OHV designs to LCT or if they created a new, separate company (LCT) to make the new engines.
It’s amazing to me how many companies have parent companies. Thanks for the info!
all 3 of my toros cant compare to my 10yo ariens they break down too much. im looking at a new ariens today and i just bought my 28 inch toro last year
Rumor has it the Cub Cadet still hasn’t arrived.
The Cub Cadet is here: ruclips.net/video/HoItL4VYb3o/видео.html
Just waiting on snow...
Interesting. It'd be interesting to test Ariens vs Toro in a space that requires a lot of maneuvering. I would hypothesize the Toro has an advantage due to quicker controls. Also, I would hypothesize Toro has an advantage with more wet and slushy snow.
Neither one will clog on wet/heavy snow. Watch this video for the rest of the answer: ruclips.net/video/a8ol4PN-eR8/видео.html
Are all 3 of them Hydrostatic drive?
No, the Toro 928 is a friction disk drive. To get a hydro in the Toro line you'll have to move up to the 1428
Performance wise, they look to perform about the same from what I see. A little difference in speed or blowing distance won't be a big deal once you get out there and move some snow. What I don't see in any of these videos is how well them machines are built. How thick is the steel the auger housing and impeller tunnel is? That will tell me alot when it comes to how long it will last without bending or rusting away over time. I see they already make most of the skids out of thinner metal compared to the old ones that used to be 1/2" think. Now your lucky to see them 1/4" think if that. Same comes to the auger metal. SOme of them you can bend with a pair of pliers which only tells me they will be all bent out of shape when they come into contact with any amount of ice chunks. It's the things they don't tell you about that you should be concerned about!
Go to my channel and you will find complete walk around videos of these snowblowers. In those videos I go through every part of the machine - from the cables to the skid shoes. I even explain how the snowblowers handle the snow and what may make each one the best choice for you.
OH buffalo chips!!! At $3000.00 it should shoot snow to the Moon!
And it does compared to your old snowblower.
@@PaulSikkema I didn't mean to hit a nerve my friend. I just don't know alot of people spending $3000.00 for a snow blower. You review them. I didn't hear you say that you spent $3000.00 for that snowblower. My comment was just a joke. Nothing serious. My old 27" serves me just fine.
I understand, these $3000 machines are for contractors who clear 24-100 properties each snowfall and areas of the country that measure snow in feet.
@@PaulSikkema I've learned a lot from your research of these machines. Thanks!
How about the Honda can you do a Comparison with the other snow blowers?
I can't afford to buy one myself but from what I know over the last 10 years the HSS928ATD will throw as far as the Husqvarna but come in dead last for capacity. (Dear Honda, I'd be glad to give the 928 an honest test if you have one to loan)
I've got a long ,wide driveway that's half concrete and half gravel. The concrete is on a bit of a slope the rest level but pretty rough, In Northern Michigan.
Sold the tractor off due to back injuries jut to hard to climb up on anymore so I'm in the market for a snowblower.
I honestly have next to zero experience with them I've aways pushed but no more.
If cash isn't a concern what model should I get to make it a easy job? HELP because cash most definitely is a concern. But I'll do what needs to be done to get the right one. Again, Help.
I'm going to guess you live in the UP. If you do then the Ariens RapidTrak is the very best choice.
1. It's fast. It will handle 12-18 inches of the snow you get as fast as you can walk. It can handle much deeper drifts and throw heavy/wet snow 40-50 feet. It's a lot faster than any other track drive on the market so you are never wishing you could go faster.
2, The RapidTrak is a lot more maneuverable than any other track drive. It will give you the traction you need for your slope. You can put it into the "wheel mode" for cleaning up and doing areas that need a lot of turning.
3. The 28 inch will clear 8 feet in two round trips. The 32 will clear 9 feet in two round trips.
4. The RapidTrack 28 Pro has a 3/4 gallon fuel tank for about 1 hour of run time. The Mountaineering and Kraken have a 2 gallon tank for a much longer run time.
5. The 28 Pro has one HID LED light in the dash. The Mountaineering and Kraken have better lighting for working at night.
Your local dealer probably has the 28 Pro in stock or it's on the way for this season. The Mountaineering and Kraken are special order units and will have to be ordered for next fall.
Despite being the slowest, I still prefer the Husqvarna - that thing is a tank!
Also curious if you were on the same gear setting for all of them?
If you are in the business of snow removal, then the Ariens would be the best options - after all, it is what they do best.
In business, minutes mean money... as a home owner, I would go with the Husqy; I find it to be very impressive.
Toro is pretty good too but seems a tad wimpy compared to the other two.
The Ariens and Husqvarna are hydro, the Toro is a gear drive.
The Toro was a 928 and I tried to specify for the size it did exceptionally well. The Toro that actually compares to the other two is the 1428
Toro 928 hands down😊
I wouldn’t take another Husqvarna snowblower if you paid me. I’ve owned two brand new and have had nothing but problems. Just got a nice $400 bill for a starter too.
I mean how far must you throw it?
! Bragging rights ! "My snowblower throws farther than yours"
Some home owners need to throw the snow to a certain point. For example, you may have no room for the snow in your front yard so you need to move it all to the back of the house. A snowblower that can throw snow 40-50 feet will mean you have a lot less snow to re-throw when moving the snow to the back.
Pretty impressed with the Toro 928 OAE considering how much a power deficit is dealing with compared to the others. Looks like a pretty efficient design. I’d say the Ariens comes in first due to it’s combination of speed and power. Just can’t be beat at this point. A little disappointed frankly in the Husqvarna considering it’s big engine and all new design. I thought it would compare better to the Ariens.
Yes, I thought the Husqvarna would do better myself. By the way, the Toro is only $1399.
My 2002 Murray died, so after a lot of research on You Tube and testing them at the dealer, I bought a Toro 928. My only complaint is that since I bought it, it hasn't snowed once. Come on! Bring it on! One thing that you didn't discuss though was how easy it is with Toro to direct the snow with its grab 'n turn thingy. So much better than the two stage thing that you need to stop and adjust with other brands. Really, test that out on a Toro and you'll be sold.
If quality, warranty, price and parts accessibility was the same in all three, and I was looking solely on snow removal performance, I'd rank them like this (for my needs).... Toro, in last place (and I'm a Toro guy since 1993). It seems to pulverize the snow and deposit it everywhere, not in one desired location. Seems that as you go to each successive pass, they're going to get taller and taller due to the snow going everywhere. I also noticed that as the machine was approaching the snow it wasnt feeding it into the auger housing fast enough and it was breaking off in front of the machine, falling into the already blown area (not talking about it's ability on the left side to empty the auger housing so as to not clog). It seems that it can't feed fast enough, and the snow on the ground especially on the left breaks off and causes a raised furrow, which has to be gone over again.
For second and first I have a hard time determining which is better! I lean towards the Ariens for first as it gets the job done the fastest! But the Husky seems to deposit the snow exactly where you want it. If you're doing properties with driveways near each other, and don't want to cover the next driveway, the Husky seems to have the precision as to where it's dumping the load. But as time is money, I guess the Ariens although a bit less precise can get your day done quicker.
I need to buy a ariens 28 inches deluxe or a 30 inches sho. Or a 30 inches platinum. The 306 cc or 414 cc. I park in my driveway a SUV and a pickup truck. Behind them I park 2 vehicles those 2 vehicles back ends sit on the sidewalks. Also I just retired 3 months ago. I lost your email need your help Paul
Thanks wesley in Connecticut.
The Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO will give you the throwing distance you need. The 30 inch Platinum will also do the job a little faster.
Would like to see a Honda comp.
Based on what I know the 28 inch Honda track will be very close to the Husqvarna in throwing distance and capacity.
Thanks for the reply and all of the work in the videos! Please be safe.
Can wait for my st 430t husqvarna to be delivered
I believe ariens is the best all around snowblower...
Having had one ill agree.
The ariens is a monster
No Honda HS928?
I can't afford to buy one myself but from what I've learned over the last 10 years the HSS928ATD will throw as far as the Husqvarna but come in dead last for capacity. (Dear Honda, I'd be glad to give the 928 an honest test if you have one to loan)
For less than half of the price of the Arien, the Toro is 7% slower with a 59% smaller engine and throw the snow as far. For residential usage, Toro all the way. $$$
Next Fight? Toro vs Cub Cadet 3X 😁
Actually, the Cub Cadet Pro 2X 30 would be my choice to test.
@@PaulSikkema I agree, the 3 stage is a gimmick.
You had the husqvarna at the slowest pace. I was timing your paces. Apples to apples.
No - take aa very close look at the snow piling up in front of the auger housing. I pushed each snowblower as hard as they would go without pushing snow.
I’d like to see the 420cc toros in action
So would I.
I don’t need to blow the snow 20 feet
The Toro 928 has a double-jointed chute so you can throw the snow right next to the snowblower if you need to.
A lot of people want to see how far they throw because they want to get the snow as far away as possible which will reduce drifting the next time it snows.
Ariens the best
1st place Ariens for speed, power and ease of use. 2nd place Toro for price impressive performance. 3rd Husky. Too slow for my liking and I could never buy a traditional track drive machine. Too clumsy to use and good luck moving it when the engine is off.
Ariens is my pick and 2nd husqvarna
Hands down Toro . I had a new ariens and all it did was break shear pins total garbage... since a got my toro 1028hd this will be my second winter and I haven't had any problems. Not even one shear pin . ariens is very over rated anymore not like the old one that would last for 20+ years..I wanted a honda but I couldn't afford one
Interesting, What did you hit? The only time I've broken a shear pin on the Deluxe, Platinum and Pro Ariens was when I got one caught in my chain link fence. I even had a softball sized rock in a Platinum 30 a couple years ago and it didn't break a shear pin. It just rattled around behind the auger.
@@PaulSikkema I didn't hit everything it couldn't make one pass down my driveway without breaking a pin.. I even raised the shoes all the way up to not get any gravel in it..but even on my mom's paved driveway it would take me no less than 6 shear pins to clean it
Are you sure you didn't have a CubCadet 3X? Just Kidding :) It actually appears you may have had a mechanical problem with that snow blower. A bad outer bearing on the auger, the gearbox not installed correctly or something like that.
@@PaulSikkema yeah there was something wrong with it..ariens sent sale rep to pick it up and they never told me what the hell it was..
Husky, good saws. Not so good snow blowers.
Honda small engines was sold a few years ago to a Chinese company, and quality has gone downhill severely ever since. All our barges had Honda water pumps and Honda hydraulic power packs for years. And the last few we bought are garbage compared to the Hondas of old
Just to clarify your statement a little. My information is the engines are being made in a Chinese owned factory for Honda. Quality control, and assembly is still Honda's responsibility. The engines and the name are still Honda owned.
Ariens is made by Husqav
rna!
When did that happen? I talked to the owner of Ariens Monday and he never said anything about selling the company. Go here to see who owns what: movingsnow.com/2020/2020-snow-blowers-who-makes-each-brand/
@@PaulSikkema My bad my mistake. I was thinking something elese!
I have always really liked husqvarna equipment, but when it comes to blowers there is only one real king imo and that’s toro, quality stuff, easy to get parts for and easy to work on, not cutting any other brands down, but toro has been engineering good stuff for yrs, stuff that lasts, stuff that just makes sense etc, however I don’t like the way they are sourcing engines from China bad move imo, if you want to source your engines talk to japan they make quality engines not China, for those reason I won’t buy new, i will find an older used machine with a 8 or 10hp techumseh, snow king engines are easy to work on bullet proof iftaken care of and last yrs an yrs decades, in 10 years I have broken only 1 sheer pin on any toro and I have 3 of them, zero broken gear boxes, just belts and basic maintenance and they keep kickin butt year after year
Ariens beats all hands down I fix snowblowers and just keep plugging away
Why do they ride up?
@@jumanji70 There are two reasons snow blowers ride up. 1. You have a broken shear pin in the front auger. 2. You are trying to move more snow than the snowblower can handle. This is especially true of snowblower with a 12-inch impeller like the MTD, Troy-Bilt, and Husqvarna 200 series. Slow down and the front end will quit riding up.
@@PaulSikkema other users have the same problem.
@@jumanji70 And that's why the Ariens Deluxe, Platinum, Pro, and the Toro Power Max HD snowblowers have become so popular. They don't ride up in heavy/wet snow.
Arien all the way
They all throw the snow far enough ... But I would take the ariens any day ... Faster ... Last one was way too slow...! !
All quality machines but the Ariens is a heavy duty beast and it's made in the USA.....and I hope Wisconsin votes for TRUMP. I checked them all out and got myself a 30 inch Platinum 414CC 12.5 HP. After 28 years with an MTD 26" 8hp. I'm looking to have some fun this winter.....therefore, with my luck...we won't get much snow.