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! If you would like me to help you find the best snowblower for you please tell me where you live, what types of surface you want to clear, and how much area you want to clear
I bought the Ariens 28 SHO back in 2017. It’s never let me down and never clogged here in NH. It cleared a 16” snowfall without a hiccup and still going strong! Great videos
I have an Ariens deluxe 24 thats almost 4 years old. It's a really solid machine and does a fantastic job with heavy snow. It got a lot more use after i first got it than it has over the last 2 years specifically due to lack of major snowfall here in southeastern Pennsylvania where i am. I just pulled it out of my shed last week and fired it up so it's all ready for whatever winter has in store! I'm really hoping for some heavy snowfall this year as I've always enjoyed snowblowing plus im a skier.
Just ordered toro powermax 828 after a ton of research including your other vids. Now I see this. It's ok. My goal really is to get thru the plow pile for one, but really it's to just be able to hit my neighbors drive from mine so the Toro was the right choice. Of course it won't be here until next week and the 18 inches of snow is melting fast and will be gone. Waited too long and no stock out there. I really just wanted to make sure it doesn't snow next winter. Same as when we need rain, I go wash my car so it will rain, when my business is slow, I take a vacation and get slammed. Lol. Love your channel. Helped me choose the 828 over some other choices that were available. Earned a subscriber. Thank you
Really impressed with my new Deluxe 28 SHO. We had 6” of wet snow and it met all my expectations. I’m glad I bought the SHO , having a little extra torque was a good move!
I have a 1970’s ariens 24” with a harbor freight 212cc on it that’s handled 6ft snowstorms in buffalo with no hesitation. I ended up ordering a toro just because of the control stick, the 70’s ariens I inherited that was bought new by my wife’s family gave me ptsd from all the manual chute controls 😂 I went and saw both in person before ordering and I honestly felt the toro was built better, simpler, and similar build quality to my 70’s model which is still in great shape, I know the new ariens are fantastic machines but I was disappointed in some areas on it. I plan on completely disassembling the 70’s unit over winter and having it sand blasted and powder coated and handing it down to one of my kids
Great video, as usual. You mention the speed difference in the lower gears between the Ariens and Toro... I find the Ariens too fast in anything but 1-3, with all the rest of the speeds only useful for transporting. I'm talking light snow conditions. I would prefer the whole range of speeds to be slower, with maybe 6 for transporting at a walking pace. The measured Ariens speeds on my Deluxe30 are: 1.1 mph 1.6 2.1 2.5 3.1 3.5
Thank you for showing these 2 machines in action! I honestly feel they both performed almost identically. They don't bog down, and both clear the snow well. Hopefully you get a foot of snow to see how the 2 machines perform in deep snow
I own a 2013 Craftsman 30 inch 420cc blower. Hand warmers and also has a thumb controlled electric chute which is phenomenal! Only down fall to my machine is the plastic chute which I think is the reason it does not throw snow that far. Because of this...I am in the market for a new blower. 7:30 into the video and I`m sold on the Ariens. The Toro seems to throw farther, but I tend to not walk slow unless I am in a tight area. I`m also not a fan of that cumbersome looking joystick on the Toro. Too bad the ariens did not have the electric chute controlled by a thumb joystick!
Yes, I always liked the MTD electric chute. There are about a dozen engineering choices that allow the Toro and Ariens snowblowers to throw a lot more snow than all the other snowblowers including the MTD/Craftsman. Specifically, it's not the plastic chute itself - it's the width of the chute and the impeller opening - plus other factors. Ariens does have an electric chute and the thumb joystick is even easier to use and faster than the Craftsman/MTD one. It's on the dealer only Special Edition models. Here is a video where I explain how the MTD snowblower move snow through them. The snowblower in the video has the plastic chute like yours.
Thanks for the great video and analysis. I've owned Ariens and Toro 2 stage units. I currently have 2010 Toro 826 Powermax. Prior to that, I had an Ariens 24 inch Platinum. The Ariens moved the snow better but the Toro is better balanced, more ergonomic, and more durable. I had a lot of things go wrong on the Ariens but almost nothing on the Toro in over a decade of use. On the flip side, when the Ariens was working, nothing would stop it but my Toro can easily get clogged with wet, slushy snow. My current Toro model is getting a little long in the tooth. So, I've been thinking of getting a new snowblower. The Ariens Deluxe, 24, the Toro 826 OHAE, and the Toro Snowmaster have all gotten my attention. We don't get a lot of snow where I am. Typically snow falls range from 5 to 15 cm or 2 to 6 inches. Occasionally, we get 12 inches of snow but that's rare. Which of the 3 would be the best choice? Thanks.
The SnowMaster is ONLY good for hard surfaces - it doesn't work well at all on gravel and turf. The Ariens Deluxe and the Toro 826 will throw snow twice as far if you need to get it away from your driveway. The Toro 826 OHAE has the new automatic steering so it is a lot easier to turn than your old 826. Capacity is about the same but no one complains about it not handling heavy/wet snow. It has a 10 inch impeller. The Ariens Deluxe 24 will handle any snow you get with it 14 inch impeller. It also has larger tires and autamatic steering. It is one of the best 24 inch snowblowers for heavy/wet snow. The only snowblowers better than this are the Ariens Platinum 24 and the Ariens Great Lakes Edition.
Yes, I'm fine. All the snow went around me this year. I got less than 7 inches all winter and that was in 1-2 inch snows. Plus, with all the parts shortages none of the manufactures had anything for us RUclipsrs to show off. I'll be back shortly with mowers!
I live in Indiana. I love my Toro 621 Powerclear with cable wire controlled snow-chute so I don't have to stop and move the chute by hand to either the left or right. One thing I find better to do is when doing sidewalks is to always throw the snow towards the house side of the sidewalk instead of the parkway because the parkway gets piled-up the fastest with the town's snow plows. Then you will also have more room to throw snow when it's time to dig out your mailbox or fire hydrant like I have in front of my house. For footwear, I highly recommend slip-on rubber cleats with metal spikes. I haven't slipped yet, even on solid ice. The ones I use are called: Jordan David GRIP-X High Traction Ice Snow Cleats. It makes any shoe ready for ice. Just don't walk on linoleum floor or wood floors with then as the spikes will damage them.
Definitely would rather have the speed to walk slower like the Toro. And you can also make the speed go faster on the Toro. Going slow can also help more when you can't go fast like at the end of the driveway..
Very informative review thanks so much I have a machine I’m looking at right now that’s the deluxe 28 a friends grandfather bought it abd it’s just to big for him so he’s asking $850 only used 3 times. With all the info you described between both machines I really like the deluxe 28 better. And for $850 it’s a steal I think for a 2020 machine.
Again another great video comparing two great bands. I love watching what 8hp engines could do especially with 28 inches openings. What type of engine oil are you using and which brand grease do you recommend in gear boxes. After how many hours should we change the engine oil, is there any maintenance to do on the gear box.
I use the oil recommended in the operator's manual but - most have switched to 5W20 Synthetic. While the oil will last 10 years in a residential snowblower most brands recommend changing it every year. A heavy-duty grease from Tractor Supply, Farm & Fleet or Fleet Farm is a great choice. Gearbox: Check the oil when you first get the snowblower. After that every 5 years or so check the oil in the gearcase.
Hi. What machine you`d prefer for my yard? About 300-400 m2 mixed wet and powder snow. Living by the coast in Norway. Was looking into the Cub Cadet XS3 66 SWE and the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO EFI moastly. I have a hard time to pick one. They both cost around 2460 dollars here.
I recommend the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO EFI. You have a lot different snow in Norway than we do in the U.S. That said, the people I've helped from Norway over the years tell me the Ariens snowblowers work a LOT better than the Cub Cadet and Husqvarna models. In addition, I specifically don't recommend the 3-stage Cub Cadet snowblowers.
Hello Paul. I'm trying to decide between the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO, and the Toro 828. I like the Ariens as it seems to be a little more rugged, and more importantly they offer the SHO engine in the 28-inch width. I can't get a more powerful engine in the Toro without going to the 30-inch, and I don't want to go that size. At current pricing the Ariens SHO is only $100 more than the Toro 828, so it seems like a great value. The ergonomics of the controls seem to be a little nicer on the Toro to me, but on the other hand the Ariens controls seem more traditional and maybe more rugged and reliable, and I could probably get used to them. Do you have any comments on the SHO engine, will it make that big of a difference, and could you help me with a recommendation on what choice to make? I live in the Minneapolis area so whatever I buy will get some heavy use. I really appreciate your videos I learned a lot. Thank you!
You'll like the extra power on the Ariens. I'm noticing the Toro 828 is a little underpowered- especially for the type and amount of snow you can get in Minneapolis. (I lived in Chippewa Falls for 15 years so I know the snow you can get :)
I'm guessing you are talking about the Ariens? If you are you may be missing the e-clip. Watch this video where Donyboy73 goes through the axle parts. ruclips.net/video/wx6ZF6IPlKo/видео.html
The axle goes all the way through and is held in place with the e-clip shown in the video on the right side of the snowblower. Get to your dealer to get one or most hardwares stores also carry the right size clip.
Fighting 20-40 inches snow over here at the Arctic Circle in Europe (from November to March, so really heavy duty) ... mostly uneven ground, graveI, even grassy stretches. I am very happy with the Toro Power Max 926. It is quiet enough that I can use it without protecting my ears. It does not use much fuel. It is fun to comfortably cast the snow in any direction you want with the steering stick. It starts like a charm even at -26F and I store it outside. Have not yet tested it at -40F though, which we also get occasionally. But at such low temps there is hardly much snowfall anyhow. Sometimes I wish I had a snowblower on tracks though, not on wheels - and the ultimate answer for heavy duty and comfort would be Honda of course. But hey, we need to have dreams, right? ;-)
Hi Paul, I been watching the comparison video of toro vs ariens deluxe and this one . Seems both are built for mid west residents 😉. The only thing that stops me from getting Arien is it’s not showing any service centers when compared to Toro.
The term Midwest is a little to large for me to help you in finding a dealer. Would you please reply back with the City, State. I know Ariens doesn't have to many dealers in eastern Iowa but most of the John Deere dealers in the area can service the snowblowers.
Paul, I have a three year old Ariens 28 SHO and was wondering what you think about putting an impeller kit in it. It throws, like you already know, about 50 or 60 feet but I have a couple of spots where it would be nice to get 10 more feet or so. Thoughts?
Impeller kits are garbage. They help MTD and other older snowblowers to throw more snow but they are not needed or recommended on Ariens and Toro machines. They screw up how the Ariens snowblowers handle snow. Ariens snowblowers use the "gap" between the impeller and housing to offload snow. That gap and the open front auger allow the engine to maintain a higher rpm - letting it throw snow farther. Watch this video starting about minute 18 - I explain how your snowblower handles snow.
Paul, I have the opportunity to buy a Toro 828, but I hesitate because Consumer Reports gives it only 3 out of 5 on surface cleaning (to the 928). I'm afraid what it leaves behind would turn to ice. Can you think of another good quality snowblower that would do a better job of surface cleaning? Consumer Reports gives high marks in this respect to Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30, but it is impossible to find. Also impossible to find the 928 these days. Maybe supply chain problem for some machines.
Consumer Reports is very inconsistent in how they review. ( they use sawdust to review snowblowers!) That said, The Toro 828 is a perfect snowblower for the Chicago area. It clears as good as any other 2-stage on the market and it is a LOT easier to use than the Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm. (or Cub Cadet 30 MAX) The 828 is balanced very well so it is easy to maneuver and with the automatic steering it's as easy to turn as a single-stage. How you set the scraper bar is how well it clears. In your case, for hard surfaces set the clearance under the scraper bar at 1/8 inch. (the thickness of a paint stirring stick) If you have gravel or turf to clear set the gap at 1/4 inch (use 1/4 inch plywood or the cardboard box the snowblower came in) Yes, everyone is having supply chain issues. Many manufactures are only making the more popular models - that's why the 928 is not available.
Hey Paul I have 4 2ah toro batteries, do you think that 3 batteries that equal 6 ah is enough to run the blower and I do have 1 2.5 ah battery also. thanks
I'm guessing you are talking about the Toro 2-stage electric? ^ AH will start and move the snowblower but it will only give you about 10-15 minutes of runtime. Three 7.5 AH batteries is 21 AH and that will give you up to an hour of runtime.
Hi Paul. I'm looking to buy a new snow blower at Lowes because I have a gift card and it's close to my house. I'm in NY, and have around 150 ft driveway. I'm currently between the 28 deluxe ($1550) and 30 deluxe ($1900). I'm just not sure if the 2" clearing difference, bigger engine, and heated hand grips are worth the $350. Which would you pick?
Heated handgrips are nice to have. More power is ALWAYS appreciated. NY is a very long state and the average snowfall varies greatly from 10 feet to 30 inches on average. So, if you live in the Buffalo area over to Fort Drum you will NEED the extra power. If you live in the Hudson Valley - not so much. Long Island usually gets the heavy, wet stuff so you'll be glad you got the larger engine out there.
Hi Paul, looking into getting a 2-stage now that neighbors want me to clean their drives as well looking into Airens 24 platinum SHO vs Toro 928 HD which one would you lean too?
Tough choice. The Toro should clear 2-8 inches off the driveways because it wider - but because the 24 inch Platinum has a much bigger engine it will clear the driveways just as fast - because you can walk faster. Both will handle any snow you get and won't plug on the heavy/wet stuff. All that said, if you can find one, the 928 does have one advantage - the double jointed chute allows you to put snow right by the snowblower if you have really tight areas to clear.
Hi Paul. Looking to get a new two stage snowblower and I can't decide what to get. I live in northern New England. Annual snowfall is 70-80 inches. My driveway is 80 feet long with a decent slope to it, not too steep. Crushed stone base. Looking for something that's going to last for a long time. Narrowed it down to either Ariens platinum 24, deluxe 28 SHO, Toro 826 or HD 828. What would you recommend? Thanks!
All four will last you a long time. My first choice for your area and driveway size is the Platinum 24. The 14 inch impeller will handle any snow you get, including the heavy/wet stuff. With it's huge engine for the size of the snowblower it will throw the snow the farthest and 12 inches + snow won't slow it down. Second choice from your selection is the Deluxe 28 SHO. It's 4 inches wide than the Platinum 24 so you will be able to clear lighter, 4-6 inch snow about 20 % faster than the Platinum 24. The 28 SHO has a larger engine than the cheaper Ariens Deluxe 28 and you'll want that extra power in your area for the Nor'easter's you can get. The Toro HD 828 is a good snowblower but you will wish you had a larger engine most of the time. (It compares to the Ariens Deluxe 28) Since Toro discontinued the 928 HD you have to move up to the 1428 HD to get the power you want for your area. I don't recommend the Toro 826 for your area. It has a smaller 10 inch impeller and doesn't handle the 12 inches + snows you can get as well as the other snowblowers on your list.
@@PaulSikkema Hi again Paul. Still reviewing and reading on snowblowers. I know you mentioned Toro discontinued the HD 928 but what about the HD 1030? It has a bigger motor, larger impeller and looks pretty good. Is about the same price as the Deluxe 28 SHO. What do you think? I have a Toro dealer in my town. Closest Ariens dealer is about 20 miles away. Thanks again
Any info or advice I just got the toro 824 and the chute will not stay locked from left to right.I took off the plastic cover and the locking device is not catching the teeth. Just wondering if you ran into a problem like this before thank you..
My guess the cable is to tight or binding. Check the other end. Check to make sure the cable is routed correctly. Here is a link to the manual and the set-up guide www.toro.com/en/parts/partdetails/?id=52145
If you don't use a closed vacuum system to change the oil the Ariens is the easiest because the drain tube sticks out the back of the machine. Also Toro wants you let a dealer change the belts - they even don't show you how in the manual. Everything else is the same. So, that makes the Ariens easier.
How long is long? Where do you live? Please give me the city/state so I can figure how much snow you get. That will help me narrow the choices down to a couple of units for you.
Paul, Thank you for your excellent videos/reviews. I was wondering if you could give me some advice, I want to buy a snowblower, my house is in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in Crested Butte, CO. Elevation 9300 feet, we get 200 to 400 inches a snow a year. I have a 60 foot driveway, it has a concrete parking pad, and then a gravel driveway. Can park about 6 to 7 cars. It is flat. I was looking at the Airens Trak, Platinum, also the professional 28, and 32. I wanted to get your thoughts on what you think would be ideal for me? Airens? Another brand? Which size etc? Thank you again for your expertise.
I suggest EFI is the most important part of your decision. EFI will automatically adjust for your high elevation and give you a lot more power for clearing all that snow. (Up to 20% more than a regular carb) If you want a RapidTrak I strongly suggest waiting until the fall. Ariens will have EFI models available then.
For what you have to clear any of the Ariens EFI models will work well. The Deluxe 30 EFI is the least expensive. I also have a solid rumor that Ariens is adding more EFI models this fall. I should know more about them in July.
Glad I found your video comparing the Toro 828 & Ariens Deluxe 28. After lots of reading and comparing these are the two machines that I have settled on. My question is...is there a difference in the machine if you purchase either from a big box store i.e. Lowes or Home Depot? When I say a difference, is the workmanship and/or materials the same from the factory? I've heard that some parts on these machines may be of less quality. (a few years ago I saw that Toro zero turn mowers models started with the letters "SS") That's why I'm asking you. I like to hear it from the expert and not from a friend who heard it from a friends uncle that lives next door.
Dealers carry all the models. There is no difference. But - Lowes, The Home Depot, farm stores and other "big Box" stores only carry the models they think will sell well to their customers - generally the smaller, cheaper models. If you want a specific model - for example an Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO the dealer will carry it - Lowes won't. The same is also true with zero-turn mowers. For example the Toro SS was available also at the dealer. It's the same mower wherever it's sold. It's just that the box stores don't carry all the models.
Paul's reviews are spot on and steered me to the 828OAE. I live in the Midwest and have a large circle drive. It took me an hour to clear 8"-10" and the Toro worked great. The only grip was the 1/4" bolts that hold the wheel on broke. I suspect it was over torqued when assembled. I have not had any problems since then. Watch all of Paul's reviews and make your decision based on what you need.
I never understood why it’s so important to throw the snow so far. Longer distance takes more power. Therefore you won’t be able to go through deeper snow at a faster pace. Who cares if you throw it 20 ft vs 40 ft!
It really depends on where you have to put your snow. 1. Some owners have to put all their snow in the backyard. That means throwing the snow the length of their garage or more. So being able to throw the snow 40 feet or more really helps speed up the process. 2. My neighbor could only put the snow to the west of his driveway. He had a single-stage so the snow pile was always taller than his pickup. So each time it snowed his driveway would drift shut right away. If he had a snowblower that would throw the snow 40 feet he would not have had that huge snow pile and wouldn't have gotten the drifting each time it snowed. 3. Large areas. I now have a parking lot that can hold 20 cars. I like to move the snow all to one side and having a snowblower that will throw 50 feet means I don't have to "rethrow" the snow. 4. When living in areas the get 80-200 inches of snow the more power you have and the farther you can throw it makes a huge difference. You can get it out of the way so you don't get as much drifting and the extra power lets you get done a lot faster than the smaller capacity machines that only throw it 20-30 feet. 5. A lot of areas, for example, Nothern Iowa and Western Minnesota, get a lot of wind after a snowstorm. Being able to get the snow far away from the driveway really helps to keep the drifting to a minimum - especially if your driveway runs north and south. 6. EGO - It's always fun to watch all the neighbors stop and watch you throw snow with the high-capacity snowblower and clear your driveway twice as fast as they can with their tired, old, wimpy machines.
Thanks for your videos, Paul. I live in west central Minnesota and I have been trying to decide between a Toro 826 OAHE that my local dealership has in stock or an Ariens 28 deluxe that is in stock at a nearby Runnings store. My driveway is about 100 feet by 25 feet and is gravel till about the last 30 feet and is slightly uphill. I get some pretty big drifts as I live outside of town where we are exposed to the constant NW wind. Also pretty high piles from the snowplow at the end of the driveway. I have heard that these units will tend to be hard to control on uneven surfaces because of their auto steer systems. Anything to that? Any advice would be much appreciated.
Just so you know - both units have the same DI300 auto-locking differential. (auto-steer) For some reason a very few people think a snowblower should go straight by itself with NO interaction from the operator. Those few people have spent all their time online complaining how the autoturn "they don't work like they used to." That said, If you buy either of these snowblowers it will take you one snow clearing of your driveway to realize how easy they are to use. Just grab the handles, clear snow, and when you turn around just push down on the handles so the front comes off the ground an inch and then make your turn. No triggers to pull to get it to turn. You can even zero-turn with them if you want. Since you have mostly gravel I suggest setting the clearance between the scraper bar under the front auger housing to 3/8 inch. That will allow you to clear the snow without picking up too many rocks. The Ariens 28 Deluxe is a little heavier than the Toro Power Max so it will have the best traction up the hill. The Deluxe 28 also has more capacity (and wider width) so if you are in a hurry it will clear your driveway about 10 minutes faster. The Toro 826 OAHE does have heated hand grips while the Ariens Deluxe 28 does not. (the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO has heated handgrips and a larger engine to get done even faster) I have a dozen snowblowers here that I use to make videos. If I just have to clear my own driveway and sidewalks I ALWAYS grab a snowblower with the AutoTurn because it is so much easier to use. Because you don't have to use the triggers to steer you can make small course corrections and spin around quickly at the end of the driveway. The AutoTurn makes these machines much faster to use overall.
Hi Paul, I wanted to get your thoughts on the Toro 826 OXE vs the Ariens Deluxe 24? Which one would you suggest and which one would you consider the best?. I am debating between both of them. Here in Canada the 826 goes for 1500$ before taxes as the ariens Deluxe 24 is around 1700$!before taxes. Thank you
@@PaulSikkema Sorry to bother you, now if I were to say the Ariens Compact 24 vs the Toro 826 oxe if they are both 1500$ here in Canada which one would you recommend? Thank you Paul.. I hope I am not bothering you
Now it gets weird...If the Ariens Compact 24 is the 2020 version with the AutoTurn then that Compact and the 826 is the 826 OHXE (2020 version) then the 826 is the better choice because it has handwarmers. If the Ariens Compact 24 is the 2020 version with the AutoTurn then and the 826 is the OXE then the only difference is the two inches. If the Ariens Compact 24 is the 2019 version without the AutoTurn then either the Toro 826 OXE or the 826 OHXE is a better choice because they both have the automatic steering (AutoTurn) Finally, the Ariens Deluxe 24 is better than all of these. It does not have handwarmers but it has the larger 14 inch impeller and the AutoTurn. It will clear anything including slop.
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!
If you would like me to help you find the best snowblower for you please tell me where you live, what types of surface you want to clear, and how much area you want to clear
Your videos are very informative. Thank you for taking the time to demonstrate what’s out there. It’s nice to see how they actually perform.
I bought the Ariens 28 SHO back in 2017. It’s never let me down and never clogged here in NH. It cleared a 16” snowfall without a hiccup and still going strong! Great videos
I have an Ariens deluxe 24 thats almost 4 years old. It's a really solid machine and does a fantastic job with heavy snow. It got a lot more use after i first got it than it has over the last 2 years specifically due to lack of major snowfall here in southeastern Pennsylvania where i am. I just pulled it out of my shed last week and fired it up so it's all ready for whatever winter has in store! I'm really hoping for some heavy snowfall this year as I've always enjoyed snowblowing plus im a skier.
Ariens is one of the best snowblowers on the market overall . Thank you Mr. Sikkema for taking the time to make this video .
i am a toro guy,,,i have an ariens but thats me some like hondas i think all do a good job,,,,its how they last
Just ordered toro powermax 828 after a ton of research including your other vids. Now I see this. It's ok. My goal really is to get thru the plow pile for one, but really it's to just be able to hit my neighbors drive from mine so the Toro was the right choice. Of course it won't be here until next week and the 18 inches of snow is melting fast and will be gone. Waited too long and no stock out there. I really just wanted to make sure it doesn't snow next winter. Same as when we need rain, I go wash my car so it will rain, when my business is slow, I take a vacation and get slammed. Lol. Love your channel. Helped me choose the 828 over some other choices that were available. Earned a subscriber. Thank you
Really impressed with my new Deluxe 28 SHO. We had 6” of wet snow and it met all my expectations. I’m glad I bought the SHO , having a little extra torque was a good move!
I have a 1970’s ariens 24” with a harbor freight 212cc on it that’s handled 6ft snowstorms in buffalo with no hesitation. I ended up ordering a toro just because of the control stick, the 70’s ariens I inherited that was bought new by my wife’s family gave me ptsd from all the manual chute controls 😂 I went and saw both in person before ordering and I honestly felt the toro was built better, simpler, and similar build quality to my 70’s model which is still in great shape, I know the new ariens are fantastic machines but I was disappointed in some areas on it. I plan on completely disassembling the 70’s unit over winter and having it sand blasted and powder coated and handing it down to one of my kids
keep sending these videos. here in Michigan we haven't had hardly any snow. Battle Creek area
Great video, as usual. You mention the speed difference in the lower gears between the Ariens and Toro... I find the Ariens too fast in anything but 1-3, with all the rest of the speeds only useful for transporting. I'm talking light snow conditions.
I would prefer the whole range of speeds to be slower, with maybe 6 for transporting at a walking pace.
The measured Ariens speeds on my Deluxe30 are:
1.1 mph
1.6
2.1
2.5
3.1
3.5
You know you can adjust the drive speeds easily
Thank you for showing these 2 machines in action! I honestly feel they both performed almost identically. They don't bog down, and both clear the snow well. Hopefully you get a foot of snow to see how the 2 machines perform in deep snow
I don't think you will notice a difference even then.
Thanks, I hope I can find the 826 down here in Utah, USA.
I own a 2013 Craftsman 30 inch 420cc blower. Hand warmers and also has a thumb controlled electric chute which is phenomenal! Only down fall to my machine is the plastic chute which I think is the reason it does not throw snow that far. Because of this...I am in the market for a new blower.
7:30 into the video and I`m sold on the Ariens. The Toro seems to throw farther, but I tend to not walk slow unless I am in a tight area. I`m also not a fan of that cumbersome looking joystick on the Toro. Too bad the ariens did not have the electric chute controlled by a thumb joystick!
Yes, I always liked the MTD electric chute. There are about a dozen engineering choices that allow the Toro and Ariens snowblowers to throw a lot more snow than all the other snowblowers including the MTD/Craftsman. Specifically, it's not the plastic chute itself - it's the width of the chute and the impeller opening - plus other factors.
Ariens does have an electric chute and the thumb joystick is even easier to use and faster than the Craftsman/MTD one. It's on the dealer only Special Edition models.
Here is a video where I explain how the MTD snowblower move snow through them. The snowblower in the video has the plastic chute like yours.
@@PaulSikkema Thanks for the reply. Do you have a video of the dealer model with the joystick chute?
Robert shows off the Kraken with the electric chute about the 18:45 mark here: ruclips.net/video/M_S9pqb77gI/видео.html
Thanks for the great video and analysis. I've owned Ariens and Toro 2 stage units. I currently have 2010 Toro 826 Powermax. Prior to that, I had an Ariens 24 inch Platinum. The Ariens moved the snow better but the Toro is better balanced, more ergonomic, and more durable. I had a lot of things go wrong on the Ariens but almost nothing on the Toro in over a decade of use. On the flip side, when the Ariens was working, nothing would stop it but my Toro can easily get clogged with wet, slushy snow. My current Toro model is getting a little long in the tooth. So, I've been thinking of getting a new snowblower. The Ariens Deluxe, 24, the Toro 826 OHAE, and the Toro Snowmaster have all gotten my attention. We don't get a lot of snow where I am. Typically snow falls range from 5 to 15 cm or 2 to 6 inches. Occasionally, we get 12 inches of snow but that's rare. Which of the 3 would be the best choice? Thanks.
The SnowMaster is ONLY good for hard surfaces - it doesn't work well at all on gravel and turf. The Ariens Deluxe and the Toro 826 will throw snow twice as far if you need to get it away from your driveway.
The Toro 826 OHAE has the new automatic steering so it is a lot easier to turn than your old 826. Capacity is about the same but no one complains about it not handling heavy/wet snow. It has a 10 inch impeller.
The Ariens Deluxe 24 will handle any snow you get with it 14 inch impeller. It also has larger tires and autamatic steering. It is one of the best 24 inch snowblowers for heavy/wet snow. The only snowblowers better than this are the Ariens Platinum 24 and the Ariens Great Lakes Edition.
Great video! Thanks for sharing Paul!! 👍😊
I haven't seen a new snowblower video in months. Are you OK Paul.
Yes, I'm fine. All the snow went around me this year. I got less than 7 inches all winter and that was in 1-2 inch snows. Plus, with all the parts shortages none of the manufactures had anything for us RUclipsrs to show off.
I'll be back shortly with mowers!
Had 24” of snow today here in the Snow Belt, would have been a nice test for an Ariens Deluxe
I live in Indiana. I love my Toro 621 Powerclear with cable wire controlled snow-chute so I don't have to stop and move the chute by hand to either the left or right. One thing I find better to do is when doing sidewalks is to always throw the snow towards the house side of the sidewalk instead of the parkway because the parkway gets piled-up the fastest with the town's snow plows. Then you will also have more room to throw snow when it's time to dig out your mailbox or fire hydrant like I have in front of my house.
For footwear, I highly recommend slip-on rubber cleats with metal spikes. I haven't slipped yet, even on solid ice.
The ones I use are called: Jordan David GRIP-X High Traction Ice Snow Cleats. It makes any shoe ready for ice. Just don't walk on linoleum floor or wood floors with then as the spikes will damage them.
You can find those cleats and others here: amzn.to/2Ms6Xfx
Can’t wait to see these after the next REAL storm Paul!
Definitely would rather have the speed to walk slower like the Toro. And you can also make the speed go faster on the Toro. Going slow can also help more when you can't go fast like at the end of the driveway..
Very informative review thanks so much I have a machine I’m looking at right now that’s the deluxe 28 a friends grandfather bought it abd it’s just to big for him so he’s asking $850 only used 3 times. With all the info you described between both machines I really like the deluxe 28 better. And for $850 it’s a steal I think for a 2020 machine.
Again another great video comparing two great bands. I love watching what 8hp engines could do especially with 28 inches openings. What type of engine oil are you using and which brand grease do you recommend in gear boxes. After how many hours should we change the engine oil, is there any maintenance to do on the gear box.
I use the oil recommended in the operator's manual but - most have switched to 5W20 Synthetic. While the oil will last 10 years in a residential snowblower most brands recommend changing it every year.
A heavy-duty grease from Tractor Supply, Farm & Fleet or Fleet Farm is a great choice.
Gearbox: Check the oil when you first get the snowblower. After that every 5 years or so check the oil in the gearcase.
Hi. What machine you`d prefer for my yard? About 300-400 m2 mixed wet and powder snow. Living by the coast in Norway. Was looking into the Cub Cadet XS3 66 SWE and the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO EFI moastly. I have a hard time to pick one. They both cost around 2460 dollars here.
I recommend the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO EFI. You have a lot different snow in Norway than we do in the U.S. That said, the people I've helped from Norway over the years tell me the Ariens snowblowers work a LOT better than the Cub Cadet and Husqvarna models. In addition, I specifically don't recommend the 3-stage Cub Cadet snowblowers.
@@PaulSikkema thanks for answer! Any other models you also recommend for me to take a look at?
Hello Paul. I'm trying to decide between the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO, and the Toro 828. I like the Ariens as it seems to be a little more rugged, and more importantly they offer the SHO engine in the 28-inch width. I can't get a more powerful engine in the Toro without going to the 30-inch, and I don't want to go that size. At current pricing the Ariens SHO is only $100 more than the Toro 828, so it seems like a great value. The ergonomics of the controls seem to be a little nicer on the Toro to me, but on the other hand the Ariens controls seem more traditional and maybe more rugged and reliable, and I could probably get used to them. Do you have any comments on the SHO engine, will it make that big of a difference, and could you help me with a recommendation on what choice to make? I live in the Minneapolis area so whatever I buy will get some heavy use. I really appreciate your videos I learned a lot. Thank you!
You'll like the extra power on the Ariens. I'm noticing the Toro 828 is a little underpowered- especially for the type and amount of snow you can get in Minneapolis. (I lived in Chippewa Falls for 15 years so I know the snow you can get :)
thank you Paul!@@PaulSikkema
How do I keep the shaft pinion axel from falling out
I'm guessing you are talking about the Ariens? If you are you may be missing the e-clip.
Watch this video where Donyboy73 goes through the axle parts. ruclips.net/video/wx6ZF6IPlKo/видео.html
@@PaulSikkema yes Ariens brand new 24 deluxe. It doesn’t have anything on the left side to hold the shaft in place
The axle goes all the way through and is held in place with the e-clip shown in the video on the right side of the snowblower. Get to your dealer to get one or most hardwares stores also carry the right size clip.
Fighting 20-40 inches snow over here at the Arctic Circle in Europe (from November to March, so really heavy duty) ... mostly uneven ground, graveI, even grassy stretches. I am very happy with the Toro Power Max 926. It is quiet enough that I can use it without protecting my ears. It does not use much fuel. It is fun to comfortably cast the snow in any direction you want with the steering stick. It starts like a charm even at -26F and I store it outside. Have not yet tested it at -40F though, which we also get occasionally. But at such low temps there is hardly much snowfall anyhow.
Sometimes I wish I had a snowblower on tracks though, not on wheels - and the ultimate answer for heavy duty and comfort would be Honda of course. But hey, we need to have dreams, right? ;-)
Hi Paul, I been watching the comparison video of toro vs ariens deluxe and this one . Seems both are built for mid west residents 😉. The only thing that stops me from getting Arien is it’s not showing any service centers when compared to Toro.
The term Midwest is a little to large for me to help you in finding a dealer. Would you please reply back with the City, State.
I know Ariens doesn't have to many dealers in eastern Iowa but most of the John Deere dealers in the area can service the snowblowers.
@@PaulSikkema Paul I am from Normal, IL. Zip is 61761. My local Lowe’s is the dealer but not sure if they does any service. Thanks .
Check out Quality Truck & Equipment Co. They are listed on Ariens website.
1201 E Bell Street
Bloomington, IL 61701 US
309-662-5344
@@PaulSikkema thank you
@@PaulSikkema Thanks Paul .
You can see you had the shoot aimed higher with the TORO then the Ariens .
Paul, I have a three year old Ariens 28 SHO and was wondering what you think about putting an impeller kit in it. It throws, like you already know, about 50 or 60 feet but I have a couple of spots where it would be nice to get 10 more feet or so. Thoughts?
Impeller kits are garbage. They help MTD and other older snowblowers to throw more snow but they are not needed or recommended on Ariens and Toro machines. They screw up how the Ariens snowblowers handle snow. Ariens snowblowers use the "gap" between the impeller and housing to offload snow. That gap and the open front auger allow the engine to maintain a higher rpm - letting it throw snow farther. Watch this video starting about minute 18 - I explain how your snowblower handles snow.
@@PaulSikkema
Which video?
Sorry - ruclips.net/video/KxXuNZWDLYg/видео.html
@@PaulSikkema 👍
Thanks, I'm buying an Ariens.
Where are you? I miss your informative videos.
I'm back, check out the new video: ruclips.net/video/EZVs2shi6m8/видео.html
Paul, I have the opportunity to buy a Toro 828, but I hesitate because Consumer Reports gives it only 3 out of 5 on surface cleaning (to the 928). I'm afraid what it leaves behind would turn to ice. Can you think of another good quality snowblower that would do a better job of surface cleaning? Consumer Reports gives high marks in this respect to Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30, but it is impossible to find. Also impossible to find the 928 these days. Maybe supply chain problem for some machines.
I forgot to add, I live in the Chicago area.
And I need a 2 stage, since I'm 74 and a single stage has gotten pretty hard for me to handle.
Consumer Reports is very inconsistent in how they review. ( they use sawdust to review snowblowers!) That said, The Toro 828 is a perfect snowblower for the Chicago area. It clears as good as any other 2-stage on the market and it is a LOT easier to use than the Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm. (or Cub Cadet 30 MAX) The 828 is balanced very well so it is easy to maneuver and with the automatic steering it's as easy to turn as a single-stage.
How you set the scraper bar is how well it clears. In your case, for hard surfaces set the clearance under the scraper bar at 1/8 inch. (the thickness of a paint stirring stick) If you have gravel or turf to clear set the gap at 1/4 inch (use 1/4 inch plywood or the cardboard box the snowblower came in)
Yes, everyone is having supply chain issues. Many manufactures are only making the more popular models - that's why the 928 is not available.
Another great video!!!
Hey Paul I have 4 2ah toro batteries, do you think that 3 batteries that equal 6 ah is enough to run the blower and I do have 1 2.5 ah battery also. thanks
I'm guessing you are talking about the Toro 2-stage electric? ^ AH will start and move the snowblower but it will only give you about 10-15 minutes of runtime. Three 7.5 AH batteries is 21 AH and that will give you up to an hour of runtime.
Hi Paul. I'm looking to buy a new snow blower at Lowes because I have a gift card and it's close to my house. I'm in NY, and have around 150 ft driveway. I'm currently between the 28 deluxe ($1550) and 30 deluxe ($1900). I'm just not sure if the 2" clearing difference, bigger engine, and heated hand grips are worth the $350. Which would you pick?
Heated handgrips are nice to have. More power is ALWAYS appreciated.
NY is a very long state and the average snowfall varies greatly from 10 feet to 30 inches on average. So, if you live in the Buffalo area over to Fort Drum you will NEED the extra power. If you live in the Hudson Valley - not so much. Long Island usually gets the heavy, wet stuff so you'll be glad you got the larger engine out there.
@@PaulSikkema Thanks, appreciate it!
Hi Paul, looking into getting a 2-stage now that neighbors want me to clean their drives as well looking into Airens 24 platinum SHO vs Toro 928 HD which one would you lean too?
Tough choice. The Toro should clear 2-8 inches off the driveways because it wider - but because the 24 inch Platinum has a much bigger engine it will clear the driveways just as fast - because you can walk faster. Both will handle any snow you get and won't plug on the heavy/wet stuff.
All that said, if you can find one, the 928 does have one advantage - the double jointed chute allows you to put snow right by the snowblower if you have really tight areas to clear.
Hi Paul. Looking to get a new two stage snowblower and I can't decide what to get. I live in northern New England. Annual snowfall is 70-80 inches. My driveway is 80 feet long with a decent slope to it, not too steep. Crushed stone base. Looking for something that's going to last for a long time. Narrowed it down to either Ariens platinum 24, deluxe 28 SHO, Toro 826 or HD 828. What would you recommend? Thanks!
All four will last you a long time.
My first choice for your area and driveway size is the Platinum 24. The 14 inch impeller will handle any snow you get, including the heavy/wet stuff. With it's huge engine for the size of the snowblower it will throw the snow the farthest and 12 inches + snow won't slow it down.
Second choice from your selection is the Deluxe 28 SHO. It's 4 inches wide than the Platinum 24 so you will be able to clear lighter, 4-6 inch snow about 20 % faster than the Platinum 24. The 28 SHO has a larger engine than the cheaper Ariens Deluxe 28 and you'll want that extra power in your area for the Nor'easter's you can get.
The Toro HD 828 is a good snowblower but you will wish you had a larger engine most of the time. (It compares to the Ariens Deluxe 28) Since Toro discontinued the 928 HD you have to move up to the 1428 HD to get the power you want for your area.
I don't recommend the Toro 826 for your area. It has a smaller 10 inch impeller and doesn't handle the 12 inches + snows you can get as well as the other snowblowers on your list.
@@PaulSikkema Thanks very much for the info, Paul! Much appreciated
@@PaulSikkema Hi again Paul. Still reviewing and reading on snowblowers. I know you mentioned Toro discontinued the HD 928 but what about the HD 1030? It has a bigger motor, larger impeller and looks pretty good. Is about the same price as the Deluxe 28 SHO. What do you think? I have a Toro dealer in my town. Closest Ariens dealer is about 20 miles away. Thanks again
The 1030 will work well for you.
@@PaulSikkema Thanks Paul! It's a tough decision!
Any info or advice I just got the toro 824 and the chute will not stay locked from left to right.I took off the plastic cover and the locking device is not catching the teeth. Just wondering if you ran into a problem like this before thank you..
My guess the cable is to tight or binding. Check the other end. Check to make sure the cable is routed correctly. Here is a link to the manual and the set-up guide www.toro.com/en/parts/partdetails/?id=52145
which one is easier to do maintainance?
If you don't use a closed vacuum system to change the oil the Ariens is the easiest because the drain tube sticks out the back of the machine. Also Toro wants you let a dealer change the belts - they even don't show you how in the manual.
Everything else is the same.
So, that makes the Ariens easier.
I have a long and down hill drive way, what machine do you recommend?
How long is long? Where do you live? Please give me the city/state so I can figure how much snow you get. That will help me narrow the choices down to a couple of units for you.
Ariens over-the-dash chute adjustment is a selling point for Toro.
And the tiny little chute deflector on the Toro is a selling point for Ariens.
@@PaulSikkema haha true. Why I got the 928.
@@mct8888 so do we ... love it.
@@mct8888 The Toro 928 OAE HD is a beast!
Paul, Thank you for your excellent videos/reviews. I was wondering if you could give me some advice, I want to buy a snowblower, my house is in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in Crested Butte, CO. Elevation 9300 feet, we get 200 to 400 inches a snow a year.
I have a 60 foot driveway, it has a concrete parking pad, and then a gravel driveway. Can park about 6 to 7 cars. It is flat.
I was looking at the Airens Trak, Platinum, also the professional 28, and 32.
I wanted to get your thoughts on what you think would be ideal for me? Airens? Another brand? Which size etc?
Thank you again for your expertise.
I suggest EFI is the most important part of your decision. EFI will automatically adjust for your high elevation and give you a lot more power for clearing all that snow. (Up to 20% more than a regular carb) If you want a RapidTrak I strongly suggest waiting until the fall. Ariens will have EFI models available then.
@@PaulSikkema Thanks Paul, Any other suggestions if dont want RapidTrak?
For what you have to clear any of the Ariens EFI models will work well. The Deluxe 30 EFI is the least expensive. I also have a solid rumor that Ariens is adding more EFI models this fall. I should know more about them in July.
Glad I found your video comparing the Toro 828 & Ariens Deluxe 28. After lots of reading and comparing these are the two machines that I have settled on. My question is...is there a difference in the machine if you purchase either from a big box store i.e. Lowes or Home Depot? When I say a difference, is the workmanship and/or materials the same from the factory? I've heard that some parts on these machines may be of less quality. (a few years ago I saw that Toro zero turn mowers models started with the letters "SS") That's why I'm asking you. I like to hear it from the expert and not from a friend who heard it from a friends uncle that lives next door.
Dealers carry all the models. There is no difference. But - Lowes, The Home Depot, farm stores and other "big Box" stores only carry the models they think will sell well to their customers - generally the smaller, cheaper models.
If you want a specific model - for example an Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO the dealer will carry it - Lowes won't.
The same is also true with zero-turn mowers. For example the Toro SS was available also at the dealer. It's the same mower wherever it's sold. It's just that the box stores don't carry all the models.
@@PaulSikkema Thanks...this helps lots!
Paul's reviews are spot on and steered me to the 828OAE. I live in the Midwest and have a large circle drive. It took me an hour to clear 8"-10" and the Toro worked great. The only grip was the 1/4" bolts that hold the wheel on broke. I suspect it was over torqued when assembled. I have not had any problems since then. Watch all of Paul's reviews and make your decision based on what you need.
I never understood why it’s so important to throw the snow so far. Longer distance takes more power. Therefore you won’t be able to go through deeper snow at a faster pace.
Who cares if you throw it 20 ft vs 40 ft!
It really depends on where you have to put your snow.
1. Some owners have to put all their snow in the backyard. That means throwing the snow the length of their garage or more. So being able to throw the snow 40 feet or more really helps speed up the process.
2. My neighbor could only put the snow to the west of his driveway. He had a single-stage so the snow pile was always taller than his pickup. So each time it snowed his driveway would drift shut right away. If he had a snowblower that would throw the snow 40 feet he would not have had that huge snow pile and wouldn't have gotten the drifting each time it snowed.
3. Large areas. I now have a parking lot that can hold 20 cars. I like to move the snow all to one side and having a snowblower that will throw 50 feet means I don't have to "rethrow" the snow.
4. When living in areas the get 80-200 inches of snow the more power you have and the farther you can throw it makes a huge difference. You can get it out of the way so you don't get as much drifting and the extra power lets you get done a lot faster than the smaller capacity machines that only throw it 20-30 feet.
5. A lot of areas, for example, Nothern Iowa and Western Minnesota, get a lot of wind after a snowstorm. Being able to get the snow far away from the driveway really helps to keep the drifting to a minimum - especially if your driveway runs north and south.
6. EGO - It's always fun to watch all the neighbors stop and watch you throw snow with the high-capacity snowblower and clear your driveway twice as fast as they can with their tired, old, wimpy machines.
Thanks for your videos, Paul. I live in west central Minnesota and I have been trying to decide between a Toro 826 OAHE that my local dealership has in stock or an Ariens 28 deluxe that is in stock at a nearby Runnings store. My driveway is about 100 feet by 25 feet and is gravel till about the last 30 feet and is slightly uphill. I get some pretty big drifts as I live outside of town where we are exposed to the constant NW wind. Also pretty high piles from the snowplow at the end of the driveway. I have heard that these units will tend to be hard to control on uneven surfaces because of their auto steer systems. Anything to that? Any advice would be much appreciated.
Just so you know - both units have the same DI300 auto-locking differential. (auto-steer)
For some reason a very few people think a snowblower should go straight by itself with NO interaction from the operator. Those few people have spent all their time online complaining how the autoturn "they don't work like they used to." That said,
If you buy either of these snowblowers it will take you one snow clearing of your driveway to realize how easy they are to use. Just grab the handles, clear snow, and when you turn around just push down on the handles so the front comes off the ground an inch and then make your turn. No triggers to pull to get it to turn. You can even zero-turn with them if you want.
Since you have mostly gravel I suggest setting the clearance between the scraper bar under the front auger housing to 3/8 inch. That will allow you to clear the snow without picking up too many rocks.
The Ariens 28 Deluxe is a little heavier than the Toro Power Max so it will have the best traction up the hill. The Deluxe 28 also has more capacity (and wider width) so if you are in a hurry it will clear your driveway about 10 minutes faster.
The Toro 826 OAHE does have heated hand grips while the Ariens Deluxe 28 does not. (the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO has heated handgrips and a larger engine to get done even faster)
I have a dozen snowblowers here that I use to make videos. If I just have to clear my own driveway and sidewalks I ALWAYS grab a snowblower with the AutoTurn because it is so much easier to use. Because you don't have to use the triggers to steer you can make small course corrections and spin around quickly at the end of the driveway. The AutoTurn makes these machines much faster to use overall.
I'm surprised at how much louder the Toro sounded in comparison to the Ariens...at least on this particular video.
That's because the Ariens was downwind from the microphone and the Toro was up wind. The wind was strong enough to make that much of a difference.
@@PaulSikkema Oh ok, that makes sense, because the Toro was LOUD.
Come on Paul what is your pic. Lol
Hi Paul, I wanted to get your thoughts on the Toro 826 OXE vs the Ariens Deluxe 24? Which one would you suggest and which one would you consider the best?. I am debating between both of them. Here in Canada the 826 goes for 1500$ before taxes as the ariens Deluxe 24 is around 1700$!before taxes.
Thank you
The Ariens Deluxe 24 has a 14 inch auger/impeller. The Toro has a 10 inch impeller. The Ariens handles heavy/wet snow a lot better. It doesn't clog.
@@PaulSikkema Thank you Paul!
@@PaulSikkema Sorry to bother you, now if I were to say the Ariens Compact 24 vs the Toro 826 oxe if they are both 1500$ here in Canada which one would you recommend?
Thank you Paul.. I hope I am not bothering you
Now it gets weird...If the Ariens Compact 24 is the 2020 version with the AutoTurn then that Compact and the 826 is the 826 OHXE (2020 version) then the 826 is the better choice because it has handwarmers.
If the Ariens Compact 24 is the 2020 version with the AutoTurn then and the 826 is the OXE then the only difference is the two inches.
If the Ariens Compact 24 is the 2019 version without the AutoTurn then either the Toro 826 OXE or the 826 OHXE is a better choice because they both have the automatic steering (AutoTurn)
Finally, the Ariens Deluxe 24 is better than all of these. It does not have handwarmers but it has the larger 14 inch impeller and the AutoTurn. It will clear anything including slop.
Thank you!
Would the 252cc engin do a difference compared to the 223cc one from the ariens compact?
Ariens all the way👍😁