Ariens Deluxe 28 or Toro 828 OAE? Which One Is Best For You?

[@PaulSikkema]

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.

[@jean-philippetheriault7900]

Hi Paul! Some users complain that the auto turn makes the snowblower useless when trying to blow half of the bucket because the system reacts as if you wanted to turn. Can you tell me your opinion on this?

[@PaulSikkema]

Yes, I have watched all those reviews. In the one I can guess you are referring I'm not sure the owner has a lot of experience using snowblowers. 1. The system doesn't react. It's simply an autolocking differential and all it is doing is releasing one wheel when you tell it to turn. In other words, hang on to the handles and it will go straight. 2. To take this discussion a little farther, think of using a shopping cart. You steer it exactly where you want it to go. When you are in the store it's very easy because the floor is smooth. But when you take it out in the parking lot it's a little harder to keep it going straight - you have to put a little more effort into it. Finally, if you push it through a section where the left side is in snow and the right side is on clear pavement it will want to turn into the snow all the time. It will take even more effort to keep it going straight. One thing nice about a snowblower compared to that shopping cart is the handles that you have to hang on to are quite a but farther away from the rear tires. That gives you a lot more leverage to help you keep it going straight. if you haven't yet - Be sure to watch the last part of this video. I go into detail how the AutoTurn works.

[@jean-philippetheriault7900]

@@PaulSikkema Yes, I actually watched many times and thank you for all those explanations. The thing is I’m about to pull the trigger on a platinum 24 sho, it’s a substantial amount of money so I want to make sure I won’t end up regretting my choice. Your videos are a great help for me! And I assume for many others.

[@PaulSikkema]

Let me know how you like it! If you ever have any questions about it feel free to ask.

[@jean-philippetheriault7900]

Many thanks, yes I will let you know! Can’t wait for the next snowstorm

[@firstlast7090]

You know you are Canadian when you have two snowblowers in the living room !

[@shawnkinney717]

Or that accent lol. Great review

[@theodorejones6549]

Thanks learned alot I have pro 26 Ariens 4 yrs old very happy with it live ct we average30 to 60 " we get most snow coastal one biggest was 40" in 24 he 8 yrs ago took no problem first gear. Thanks your info. Ted Jones

[@jamesorsby7553]

😆😂🤣

[@SteveSperandeo]

They double as furniture, eh.

[@MrBen527]

Lol

[@ibaw9962]

This has to be the most comprehensive comparison of snowblowers I’ve ever seen. Nice work!

[@owenconnolly3041]

Agreed Man !! he is very Knowledgeable !!!

[@jage6126]

Sweden here. I chose between ariens and toro, i bought a toro 826 OAE. I was first sceptical about both auto turn and joystick, but now i am SO glad i chose the toro. The joystick makes it so easy to continously aim the snow while driving

[@lobbyrobby]

Do I need a snowblower, no. Did I just watch an hour long video about snowblowers, yes. Excellent video btw!

[@ghostofgw7781]

I just wanted to drop a note to thank you . I received yesterday a deluxe 28 SHO and I tried it and I think I love winter more now :) I knew nothing about snowblower but I needed one. I almost bought a no name in an hardware store but I I decided to do some research that brought me here, so I bought this SHO 28 deluxe snowblower at an Ariens retailer and today it's raining over Montreal. Thanks a ton for your help!

[@seancarberry3344]

This guy sold me. The odd plastic looking difficult to use single lever for the chute killed any desire for the Toro along with numerous belt slippage stories. Thanks for the informative video. Well done

[@Rick-tb4so]

The single lever is the best part of it. I never had the chute rise up while using it.

[@jeffrf2763]

Thanks for the advice! Went with the Toro and we had one of the snowiest winters on record in Minnesota. It never failed.

[@walterdandy2015]

I am not used to this level of product knowledge. It seems to be everything a customer needs to know, and not a lot that we'll never understand or need. It is a masterful presentation. These are two respected brands and I thoroughly enjoyed the deep, neutral evaluations. For me, this is the Super Bowl.

[@Stormin_Norman]

I've had both, I'll take the TORO any day. I had a TORO 824 for 20 years and gave it to a friend 3 years ago and it's still running.. I purchased a newer 1028 model which makes it easier to operate for me, I'm not a young person. I also own a TORO single-stage snowblower, TORO lawn mower and a TORO snow shovel.

[@kevinb7112]

So informational, so helpful. I used to be a mechanic 100 years ago and I was a supervisor at a machine shop 30 years ago. You explain things exactly how I would, thank you so much for doing these videos. You’re a good egg. I’ve had the 30 inch platinum Ariens SHO snowblower for two years and I just bought my son a 28 inch deluxe SHO, they’re simply the best for what they were designed to do. Very excellent build quality.

[@tomkatt2321]

Thanks for taking the time to create this EXCELLENT video !!! Nobody else goes into such detail, especially the auto-turn differential system.

[@johnhabeck6153]

Looks like they do a great job of clearing snow off your beautiful hardwood floor ! 👍😎

[@PaulSikkema]

Your statement is not a funny as you think :) This house is old, has almost no insulation and the winter winds pretty much blow right through it. I'll bet that once in a while over the years there was snow inside. The house is one of the original houses built in Clinton, IA around 1840. During that time Clinton had the largest lumber mills in the MidWest. It sits right next to where the sawmills cut most of the lumber from trees floated down from Wisconsin. But it's structurally sound. The walls are full measurement 2X6 rough sawn pine. The floor and ceiling joists are 2X12's! It has 10 foot ceilings and some of the original woodwork in still intact. It was hit by winds over 120 MPH from the Derecho a year ago and never groaned or creaked once. We bought it on a whim a few years ago and are thinking of restoring it.

[@johnfletcher1877]

Kudos. The was one of the most informative comparisons that I’ve watched. You don’t fall into the trap of mistaking personal preference as being better or of bigger is better. Thanks, this will help me a lot. By the way I live in The Berkshires (south county) and these or the next model up (SHO/928) should be about right. My driveway and access road with a Hill are 3/4” gravel with crush mix, which makes me lean a bit towards the Ariens. Replacing shear pins in the snow is a pain, belts are worse.

[@pagodad2036]

I’ve had an Ariens deluxe 28 sho and now a Toro 1030 power max ohxe. Both good machines! I like the Toro a bit more because it has a few extra features my previous Ariens didn’t have. I love the heated grips and quick stick! 30” bucket is awesome for a 3 car garage and sidewalk. One big thing I noticed is the snow doesn’t spill out of the front sides of the Toro as much as the Ariens does when operating. That means you don’t have to overlap your cut as much. Which also means you finish the job faster in my experience.

[@joecirillo374]

This was an incredibly comprehensive review. I really appreciate it and will likely purchase the Toro. Thank you for your work.

[@stevewatne7006]

Fantastic video, Paul. Man, you deserve a medal for this thorough review. At minimum a hearty thank you from all of us. So helpful. Thank you so much!

[@haroldlypshytz3351]

Great coverage of these two models! Very informative! Thank you!

[@headsoda17]

These are the EXACT two snowblowers I was deciding between so this video was extremely helpful..you told me everything I needed to know. Thank you very much for making this video.

[@class8garage308]

buy Arians nothing compares , even Arians quality has been on the down turn and they are top dog, Toro good for big golf course mowers that about it , just like Ariens should only be purchased for snow blowers

[@PaulSikkema]

I strongly disagree with you on the Ariens Mowers - especially the IKON XD and APEX. Also, the Toro Titan is one of the best residential mowers on the market.

[@kevinhokes1849]

Looks like Toro is maintaining their quality. I’d trust their product not the cost cutting company .

[@wskripka1]

Excellent comparison. I would choose the Ariens .

[@srmarketto]

Your point on dealers is spot on. I chose ariens because there is a very reputable dealer in my town and its what they sell. If i need service they are a phone call away. Thanks for a great review.

[@shadabarifshaikh5604]

Very good information, I purchased Toro PowerMax HD 828 OAE. Worker very well in wet snow in Iowa. Thank you for your advice. Keep up the good work 👍😊

[@tpulling83]

Snowthrower education beyond 101. GREAT VIDEO!

[@wrenchguy8375]

I have the 9/28 toro that didn’t come with hand warmers and did some checking,turns out same stator as the next size up engine with hand warmers so I just got all the parts from toro and everything fit like factory. Working fine ,checked at wide open throttle was getting like 3 amps at 14 volts.Warmers got to about 120 degrees. I put spray foam in bars to help them stay hotter. I checked on this model here and has the same stator as the smaller one (37802) that has warmers,so shouldn’t be a problem if you would want to install them even though Toro don’t offer as an option.The parts to do was around $100.

[@mrbert62]

Great review Paul. Thanks for sharing .

[@556suppressor]

Still running my 35 year old Ariens ST824 handed down from the inlaws. Don't get a huge amount of snow here but its fun to run it down the sidewalk.

[@skyemac8]

Amazing presentation on these machines. Second to none.

[@crich1218]

This was a very thorough and digestible review without a bunch of subjective useless information. Well done.

[@conradmorin1891]

Great video.....I encourage everyone to go for the highest horsepower that you can afford, as the 420 cc and up will work the best in heavy/slush condition. I have owned many Ariens, and they are the best snowthrower of all. If you take care of them with regular oil changes, adding sea-foam to your gas, emptying the carburator at the end of each season, and proper lubrication and yearly service, they will last 40 + years. >>Also, the handle-warmers are a big plus, as they give-off a lot of heat, keeping your fingers from freezing.

[@Rick-tb4so]

I bought a Toro 24" 13 years ago and have had zero issues. I took care of it like my car, change oil yearly and change the gear oil and spray Teflon around the blades. The Joystick works great without the Chute rising up, it would be difficult to go back to a manual.

[@aaaaaaab11]

I have a total power, max 828 LXE and it's been awesome. I haven't put a part on it, and it's must be 17 years old. Would buy another one in a heartbeat.

[@edmundkelly4817]

Hey Paul, I watched a lot of videos of yours and some other UTubers and finally decided to purchase the Toro Power Max HD 828. Thanks for all your insight now I just need some snow.

[@woytekp4397]

I bought toro 928..what a beast I loveee it !!!! Montreal Canada

[@peterdangelo1943]

Hi Paul thank you for the in depth comparisons between the Areins and Toro.I just bought the 828 OAE.

[@chrismayer8601]

Still using my 26 year old toro 3650. Thing is a beast. Best tool I ever purchased. I have a 2 stage toro as well but my 3650 is the go to 90% of the time.

[@johnnykrtz]

This was a great video! Thank you so much. My 45+ year old Craftsman finally died this past week, and I’m looking for a new one. And I’ve become aware that the new Craftsmans are not anywhere close to the old Craftsmans. Before I found your video, I’d already narrowed it down between Toro and Ariens, so this video was perfect for me! Have a great day.

[@stevenandrews6627]

Your old Craftsman from that era was built by Husqvarna. This year however, Husqvarna has really dropped the ball so to speak. They've started using plastic on some control levers, too many cable shifters that freeze up & the hydrostatic transmission freezes up under frequent conditions & won't move until it thaws. They've also removed the oil dip stick which isn't a huge deal but checking the oil now is a pain. I was so disappointed with them, I just bought an Ariens Pro 28 for the same money(I got a great deal). This machine is a joy to use in deep heavy snow. Throws powder 60 feet. Haven't owned an Ariens in 45 years. 30 years ago, the Ariens was garbage but they soon realized the error in their ways and returned to building an excellent machine.

[@PaulSikkema]

Keeping track of the old machines can get very confusing. If his snowblower is 45 years old and has a 536. model perfix it was made by Noma. Noma was eventually bought out by Murray and Murray was bought by Briggs & Stratton. I don't know the exact history of Husqvarna snow blowers.

[@wrralph]

Very well done. The presenter is very articulate, detailed and well organized. Thank you for a very thorough and comprehensive presentation! I learned a a lot.

[@Parpl22]

I often leave my snow blowers in my living room too ... to compare them

[@puckwizard448]

I have a 28" Ariens Deluxe that is about 5+ years old with the AX414 20hp engine. It's a beast! Machine has been rock solid.

[@TheBandit59]

Your videos are incredibly thorough. I’m gone a lot , and my ancient tracked Craftsman is done for. My poor wife has been going out and shoveling really deep Wyoming snow.I was always under the impression that when I bought a new one, it had to be a Honda, but after watching several of your videos , I’m rethinking what is the better machine.I’m not sure if I’m reading into your information, but at times it seems that the Ariens is a bit better. I thought the way the quick track on the Ariens was set up, would be easier for my wife; but she never had an issue with the old Craftsman.

[@PaulSikkema]

If you get a lot of snow and have a smaller driveway I suggest the Ariens Platinum 24. It's easy to use and has more power than you'll ever need to clear snow fast. If you get a lot of snow and have a longer driveway I suggest the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO. It has more power than the Deluxe 28 I suggested in your other question and can easily handle a lot of deep snow.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Nice comparison. I love our Toro 828.

[@ankitcho]

I am in the market for a new Snow blower after we got 3 back to back storms here in NJ, my old Yard Machines/MTD 5-24 with the tecumseh engine has finally made me throw in the towel on that machine... definitely picking up the toro from my local HD as soon as I can and will probably get the Ariens too once i decide what to do with the one i currently have...just to have 2 reliable machines in case one goes down for what ever reason.... thanks a bunch for your insight Paul.

[@jimmy4218]

I bought the Toro 828 (252 cc's) because it was heavy duty and being where I live, its a must. I have an Ariens at work that's comparable (257 cc's and heavy duty) and there's no comparison. The Toro tears through the wet, heavy stuff where the Ariens struggles to the point that I have to walk through the wet, heavy stuff inch by inch. I'm so glad I bought the Toro!

[@PaulSikkema]

If the Ariens you are using at work is older than a 2015 I can understand. The Deluxe 28 you see here was changed then. Better impeller and balanced a lot better than the older models.

[@clutchitup8565]

Thank you for your honest opinion

[@giuseppecasara1143]

Paul instead using stabilizer I do summerize the snowblower adding every 3/4 months I glass of FRESH fuel on the empty tank and let it run for 5/10 minutes until runs out of gasoline. In this way I think you keep the engine/piston better lubricated.....and I never had at the beginning of the winter season any starting issues with the snowblower in the last 5 years ... What is your personal opinion based on your own experience ?? Or you suggest to add stabilizer in the fuel tank once at the end of the seasons , shut the fuel valve and let it run out of gas (better if you after empty the tank too) and that's it.... PS You Review and conparison between Ariens Deluxe 28 and Toro 828OAE is very accurate /interesting and helpful ... MANY CONGRATULATIONS FOR SUCH A GREAT AND HONEST ANALYSIS

[@marx769]

Wow, very informative! I own a 2020 Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO and wanted to learn more about it. Starting to need some tweaks and Paul covered many great things to help! I went with Ariens, because I like their reputation and love the orange!

[@002-i7u]

I bought the deluxe 28 last year. Excellent machine

[@pspatel3887]

This is awesome sir, thanks for making this video. I would have thought there would be more of this type of content out. But there isn't. I really appreciate you talking about exactly what I am looking at.

[@lennysmithbeekeeper928]

Thank you for your reviews and videos as I am in a wheelchair I wasnt sure of what to get to replace a ariens 24 compact it helped me decide on buying the toro 828 and the toro is easier to use then the ariens I like the auto turn no issues with it.The toro is a beast

[@stevemlejnek7073]

Now I understand why there is only a zerk fitting near the gearbox. I wasn't aware the shaft did not run the full length.

[@rossschmitz8293]

I've had really good luck with my 828 and bought it February 2021 because of this video and proximity to a dealer. My only gripe is that twice now the 1/4" bolt that holds the tire on has broken. At first I thought that it just came loose so I added Loctite and found the sheared bolt in the driveway. I bought some grade 8 and stainless so we will see if they hold up better than what shipped from the factory. I do get some pretty good drifts in the country but it chews right through them. I debate tire chains and cast iron skid shoes but other than that issue mentioned it is a great one pull start machine. Thanks to Paul for putting out such informative videos so we can make informed decisions.

[@edwardbreen7823]

Great job I watch the whole thing,going out today to buy the Ariens

[@CALVINLNIKONT]

Thanks for answering the question about why the impeller moves excess snow to the left side of the bucket and then the auger processes it again!

[@erikthompson8116]

This video is still relevant today, thanks!

[@williamstewart6534]

I had a 1972 Ariens and it lasted 28 years. I bought a John Deere and I think it was built by Ariens for Deere. I have had that 19 years.

[@tjlee1974]

Very good video, I appreciate the time and effort here. Ariens for me!

[@stevemlejnek7073]

Are chains ever needed with those kind of aggressive tread tires?

[@PaulSikkema]

Not really. The chains were used on the old snowblower that had regular treads. I do know few owners who put studs in their tires for ice covered sidewalks

[@cardo1111]

Ariens has first class customer support, however the heavy duty and heavy weight Deluxe 28 can be underpowered on a large plow pile. I would go with the Toro in this comparo. Additionally while the Ariens crank chute is simple and durable you have to reach over the dash to use it and requires 2 controls, the Toro's Quick Chute control is a more intuitive single joystick. Great vid as always Paul, for the best snowblower vids on KZbin look no further 👍🏽

[@randylee2549]

I am new to 28" Deluxe ownership and like it a lot, I like to take 1/2 cuts on 2020deep snow drifts I don't have a 254 cc AX 😀 but the 250cc briggs polar force it throws well 😀 I like the heavy duty structure of the Ariens I would do it again

[@cardo1111]

@@randylee2549 That makes sense, may slow you down but will get the job done that way. I liked the Briggs engines especially when talking the 420cc class. Much bigger fuel tanks and a proven design, a shame that they are in chapter 11 and now ripe for a KPS partner take-over/overhaul. It will be interesting to see what happens to the legendary brand, Ariens has stopped using them and is now strictly using LCT even on their pro line. I have an Ariens as well (have owned a few), however I am also a fan of Toro's current Powermax HD offerings 👍🏽

[@jamesorsby7553]

Get the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO version.

[@savard02]

I've been a long time follower of your channel and I learned a bunch from all of your videos. Following your recommendation, I settled my choice on a Toro 824OE earlier last year and so far I'm very satisfied with it. Watching your videos, one thing that strucked me is that you seem to have a snowblower for every room in your house. I hope your wife isn't too jalous of the one you keep in the bedroom ;-). Keep on your good work!

[@PaulSikkema]

When they are new and clean I can get away with it. But a dirty one - NO WAY!

[@venus2012ful]

@@PaulSikkema how many snowblowers do you currently own?

[@PaulSikkema]

I had to think about that. I'm down a few because I got rid of some when I moved from Wisconsin to Iowa. I donated four Husqvarnas last spring, three Troy-Bilts, an Ariens, and a Toro this summer. My daughter has the SnowJoe and two Ryobi's are at my stepson. That leaves me with 5 Toro, 4 Ariens, one Husqvarna, and a Litheli. Almost forgot the Cub Cadet.

[@Bubba_Fett_]

Excellent well done review with amazing detail. Thank you sir!! 👍🏻

[@davidcarlson8328]

I used my Toro Max 828 today for the first time. I was worried about the auto steer being twitchy but it wasn't to bad. Once a person is used to the auto steer it shouldn't be an issue. The snow was about 7" of wet heavy snow and the machine went through it with no problem. It even took the full 28" cut at the end of the driveway. The only negative comment I have is the Chinese engine they use now seems noisier than the B&S engine on my old machine. I had a Toro 826 last year at the end of the season and I took it back it was to light and kept riding over compacted snow and the auto steer was miserable. The 828 it a lot heavier and it was fine

[@andyjones611]

Very good video Paul as usual. I have the toro 928 OAE with hand warmers but the deluxe 28 sho was on my list too, only home depot had 200$ less for the toro so I took your advice. We get over 200 cm of snow each year in Québec. Keep up the good work. Cheers!

[@14moldyhamsandwich]

Great review

[@Robert-ug5hx]

I have the sho version, but am upgrading to the professional 420cc model mi live the aho it just need a vit more power to get theough snow burms aling the curb

[@BUDDAWG2004]

loved the video, I live south of Toledo and have the Ariens 24 Deluxe being delivered on Thursday, I was torn between Toro and Ariens. let it snow!

[@got2getit204]

That toro won’t clog on you!

[@PaulSikkema]

The Ariens won't clog either!

[@bk6010]

Great video. I see the Ariens is about $100 cheaper at the moment, will use that for my tie breaker.

[@TommyG11814]

Best detail video I've seen ,,great job appreciate it

[@muzikmon2267]

SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THE QUICK STICK WHAT? That's one of the biggest selling points of the Toro the quick stick is phenomenal, easy and quick.. A child could use it with no problem. It's also patented..

[@PaulSikkema]

Yes - and some people don't like shoes with velcro ties - even though they are easy and quick. A child could use it with no problem. I'm not here to tell you what to buy - I'm just here to help you find the best for you.

[@Cajun-bn7vs]

I'm from eastern Canada and I agree the quick stick on my 826OE is phenomenal, easy to use even at -31F. Never had issue not staying in position. Paul seems to have weak hands while he play with it.

[@PaulSikkema]

Yup, I'll 70 this year. Not everything works the way it used to...

[@owenconnolly3041]

Moving to Buffalo, South Buffalo with Loads of Snow. City house with one car drive ! What size Blower should I get ? Grateful for any Advice !!

[@PaulSikkema]

My first choice for Buffalo is the Ariens PLATINUM 24 SHO Model 921063. It has all the power you need to handle the the 10-20 inches of lake effect snow and the 24 inch size is the right choice for a single car drive. If you want all the special features like LED light bar, LED headlight, handwarmers, electric chute control, and EFI the Ariens PLATINUM GREAT LAKES EDITION-24 SHO EFI Model 921066. I really don't recommend any other brands for the Buffalo area. They have no 24-28 inch snowblowers with the capacity you need for the snow you get.

[@charliebruder7046]

Hi Paul - I've done a lot of research in the past two weeks, and your comparison is BY FAR the most helpful and comprehensive review I've seen - thank you so much for doing this. Even with this great info, I'm still debating between the Ariens Deluxe 30 and the Toro Power Max HD 1030. I live in coastal Maine and we get about 70-100" per year of snowfall with a decent amount of that being wet snow. House is set back, and the driveway is a semi-circle with a straight shot (think lower case h) with a total of around 350'. I will do the snow blowing most of the time, but want my wife and teenage kids to be comfortable with it as well. I'm debating between the more powerful engine & all-steel build of the Ariens (slush-buster?) vs. the convenience of the Quick Stick on the Toro (helpful with the constant adjustment for that 'h' shape driveway). My gut is that there isn't a wrong choice here, but before a big purchase would appreciate a professional opinion. Thanks in advance!

[@PaulSikkema]

Yes, this can be a tough choice because they are both very good snowblowers. 1. Engine. They are both effectively 10 HP. 2. Under the poly dash the Toro has good steel bracing. The Quik-Stik also has metal inside. 3. If you have to put snow right next to the snowblower the Toro's double chute will let you get closer. (That's about the only advantage) 4. The 1st "gear" on the Toro is a little slower. If you have smaller (or old) people using the snowblower this may be an advatage. Personally, I'd buy from the dealer I like best. Dealers will give you much better service (if you need it) and have the snowblower assembled out of the box correctly.

[@charliebruder7046]

Thanks so much for the quick response and additional info - leaning toward the Toro and headed out to kick some tires this weekend.

[@JohnFarnham-dn4fo]

Works GREAT! I am incredibly happy with this purchase.

[@markhamilton1847]

Passed down our toro 418 to our son that I got new in 1980 still starts on one pull and works great ( replaced one belt and the carb ) I now have the arens deluxe 28 and it does clear a lot more snow . If I may add one thing on this one you need to pull the wheels and grease the shift mine is already rusted and frozen on I did get left tire free but the right one needs some loving !

[@PaulSikkema]

I always have a can of Liquid Wrench or PB Blaster around for those stuck wheels. I spray the penetrating oil down the slot in the wheel rim/Axle every other day for about a week. That's usually enough so it will break free. I also suggest watching this video from Donyboy73.He shows you how to lubricate your snowblower and what to use. kzbin.info/www/bejne/faS0aoukeZ1jnbs

[@markhamilton1847]

@@PaulSikkema I put PB Blaster on it for several weeks ( I'm still hitting it every so often ) then put heat on it and made a big wheel puller out of 3/8 steel flat stock and 2x4s behind the wheels got one off and broke the 2x4 on the 2nd. Some day I will go back to working on it :)

[@PainterD54]

They seem to be well built and will last a long time, IF you do the required maintenance and keep up with oil and gear box lubrication. My Toro is 30 some years old and works like new yet, because I do preventative maintenance on it every year.

[@kcMan7938]

I love my Airens deluxe 28 SHO .

[@johnanderson3405]

Very informative and interesting video! Much appreciate your comparison of both of these. I bought the Arians a couple years ago and absolutely love it.

[@chris3m98]

Paul, I'm not buying a S/T, I'm 89 years old & just want to tell you this is an OUTSTANDING VIDEO.😉😉🙏💉😷 I wish I was 40 again I would be buying the Ariens.

[@jamiesdetailingden6620]

I bought a new Ariens Classic 24 a few years ago and have not been happy with it at all, it seems it always has issues and I’ve found their customer service definitely lacking. I realize now I should have bought a bigger machine both size wise and the engine as well. I think I’ll list my Ariens and go with a bigger Toro and try my luck. Thanks for the comparison!

[@PaulSikkema]

The smallest 2-stage Toro compares to the Ariens Compact. It is one step better than the Classic and many people like it a lot. The Classic compares to the other lowest price point snowblowers like the Troy-Bilt 2410, Yard Machines, Craftsman 24 inch, and Husqvarna 100 series. It's made for small driveways that don't get a lot of snow. They all have small wheels, poor traction, poor capacity, and lack any features that helps you get the job done quickly. With today's prices a snowblower that will last you 20 years or more is $1500-$3000.

[@pjfan173]

Fantastic video and thank you for taking the time to do it

[@jwmatt]

Hi Paul, enjoyed the video. Really been having the "wanting a new machine fever". Really would like the Ariens Deluxe 24. It has all the features that I could hope for. Heated hand grips is a must! Definitely a step up from my Yard Machines 5 hp / 22". Going to use your trick about the gas shut off. Would like to share a little trick I do with fuel. If I know its going to sit for a week or more, run the gas tank dried. Then put some Tru-Fuel in the tank (8oz. or so) and start it up, insure that it gets in the whole fuel system. Having Tru-Fuel mixing with pump gas upon filling the tank is a plus. A little extra work, true. It is worth the effort! Thank you

[@PaulSikkema]

Thanks, Trufuel is a must-have if you own a Troy-Bilt. I had a 208cc sit for over two years with TruFuel in it and it started right up.

[@cardo1111]

Excellent and comprehensive review. I like Ariens machines and have owned a few currently have a 2015 Platinum 24 SHO, it's a powerful machine that overall performs well. What I don't like about it the gas tank way too small for a 369cc engine, the bayonet-style fuel cap a bit tricky and this year was before the auto-turn wheel placement design change so the machine gets squirrelly moving back and forth on pavers even with properly inflated tires, poly skid shoes and a weight kit. I owned the Deluxe 28 with the over the dash crank chute though it seemed like a solid design it felt awkward. I much prefer the quick turn left to right lever chute design.

[@joshualeatherman]

Bought 1 of the Toro 828 last year from Home Depot, exchanged it twice because each quit driving within the 30 day period (yes, I went through 3 total). Wanted it to work so bad because I really liked the joystick. I don’t understand why they receive such positive reviews, although this year I’m beginning to see more reviews pop up with the same issue I had with the Toro. I’ve never owned a Toro, heard they were such a great brand, so thought I’d try. Total fail. I picked up this Ariens at Lowes last week, looking forward to trying it out. Great video.

[@PaulSikkema]

Just curious - did the Toro's fail because Home Depot didn't set them up correctly or did they fail because of an internal transmission failure? I also don't really trust Lowes to assemble these snowblowers correctly so I STRONGLY suggest you watch this video from Ariens and check to make sure the setup is correct. It will show you all the adjustments and other things you should check.

[@rfcasey]

Great Video! I have a 13 hp B & S Ariens. Great snow blower. After a major snow storm last year, I shutdown the Ariens. I went to restart it again, and I could not pull the stater rope. It was like the engine had seized. I immediately checked the oil.(which I do before each use) It was fine. Pulled off the belt drive housing and no indication of a broken part that would stop the engine from turning. Next step was to pull the engine. What happened was that the stator mount broke, and dislodged the flywheel magnets. The failure was due to the factory drilling the stator mount holes off center, thus creating a weak spot on the mount. Ordered a used flywheel and stator from ebay. Luckily the engine had 4 mount holes for the stator, and the stator only requires 2. The only modification was to lengthen a wire. Hopefully I will have many more years of use from my Ariens

[@Retired_Gentleman]

My New Toro 826 broke three times in six uses. Like you I purchased it because of its reputation. The last time was transmission failure and it failed in about ten inches of fresh fallen light snow. It is being repaired under warranty but even one that lasts three years is pointless if the machine proves unreliable to start with. Very disappointed with Toro quality. We will see if the poor reliability was the fault of a few bad parts or is the machine a lemon.

[@dirtrider6090]

Howd it work out

[@alexmodgil]

Thanks for really informative video Paul. Confused between the two though. I personally like Toro’s joystick chute control but Ariens look more robust with all metal controls, dash and cast iron gear case . Little sceptical about Toro’s plasticy controls and aluminium gear case. Toro’s joystick control is fun but I guess it’s more prone to the damage or early wear out.

[@PaulSikkema]

Toro's gear case is bulletproof - it's built so strong that they don't use shear pins. The joystick has been around for many years and it doesn't have issues. I have one dealer I know who has sold thousands over the years and has not had one problem with the joystick. The joystick was updated in 2019 and now has a metal shaft in it for strength.

[@Dirte883]

You are doing a saints work. I'm using a snowbeast 45'' right now. But is more of a snow kitten and looking to replace with one of these. THANK YOU!

[@THF409]

With a brand new snowblower it’s best to remove the wheels and coat the axles with anti-seize so years down the road the wheels won’t rust weld to the axles.

[@PaulSikkema]

Both of these have lubrication already on the axles so you don't have to remember to do it right away

[@Dragon77222]

Hi Paul, I am a big fan of your youtube channel, I am in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada...1 hour away from Montreal....looking for buying my first snow blower ever.... We are receiving around 100 inches of snowfall per year...so...don't know if you could help me to answering these questions 1. What is the best time to get a deal buying a snow blower...? is there a trick for this...I mean...in the summer, fall or Winter? 2. Between Ariens deluxe 28 SHO and TORO 828 OAE... What do you think is the best according to your experience? Thank you so much in advance for your help, Jorge

[@PaulSikkema]

For the amount of snow, you get you will be a lot happier with the Deluxe 28 SHO. It has a bigger engine and with the SHO impeller, it can handle more snow than the Toro 928. The only other difference is the Ariens can place the snow closer to the snowblower if you have tight areas to clear. Owners complain that the Toro will not put the snow close to the snowblower.

[@fairgolfer]

Great review 👍 very thorough. Thank you

[@brianloughnane781]

Arien’s for me! Especially if it’s Canadian approved.

[@johnandrews7322]

Excellent review. Thank you I learned a lot. Looking forward to seeing them in action in your next video.

[@Rick-l6o]

Key is having good engines. Honda one of my favorite engine but they are pricey. I bought Ariens hydro static 36 inch pro. I maintain the engine and take care of it. No problems!

[@rapaent]

Thank you Paul for this awesome comparison! I really like the Ariens with the exception of some people complaining about the Auto Turn feature. Complaints were about wanting to turn on its own while in heavier snow, using just half the housing in deeper snow and/or along edges of grass, concrete expansion joints, etc. Would you mind sharing your experience with Auto Turn? I know I can trust you in giving an honest answer after watching several of your real word reviews. I would really appreciate it. Thanks again! 👍😊

[@PaulSikkema]

You may not realize it but both of these snowblowers use the same auto locking differential. Ariens calls it the AutoTurn and Toro calls it automatic steering. I really like the AutoTurn. Some people think it should steer like your car meaning it goes straight until you turn it. In actuality, it steers more like a shopping cart. It goes where you point it. If a shopping cart hits a pothole or bump it will want to turn on it''s own but it is very easy for you to use the handle to steer it straight. The AutoTurn works the same way. If the front wants to move just use the handlebars to keep it going straight. It doesn't jerk you. The one video where the operator complains about it wanting to turn while clearing a half housing - He was trying to clear a snow plow berm that had sat for a few days and the snow was hard. All snowblowers will want to "walk out" of snow like that. Just grab the the handles a little tighter and it will work just fine. Spend an hour with the AutoTurn clearing your driveway and spend an hour using a trigger steer - you will pick the AutoTurn everytime!

[@rapaent]

@@PaulSikkema Thank You Paul! I'm sure you and I saw the same video about this.... LOL. It's one of those video's that a person would disregard for sure. I'm glad that Auto Turn isn't as bad as some people are making it out to be. That's the only thing that had me on the fence about Ariens. With your experience, I feel totally turned around and confident about this Auto Turn now. Thanks again, I sincerely appreciate you along with your input!! 👍😊

[@mariolipari4363]

I have a 28” deluxe model. Why does the friction disc rubber break apart so easily? I’ve replaced two on a very lightly used machine. Thanks

[@PaulSikkema]

Hmmm, have you asked your dealer about this? I'd make sure your friction plate is smooth, not scratched and no bumps.

[@schmitzross78]

I went with the 828 because that was what was in stock. Over all I'm happy with the machine. It has plenty of power, great steering and is easy to start. I only have two minor issues. First when on a full idle the machine will want to creep forward or backward, this may just be an adjustment since it is new. Second is it is a bit light in the front end and seems to want to ride up. We did have a pretty good snow followed by a rain so I'm sure that has something to do with it. I wonder if the extra weight of cast iron shoes would help? Keep the honest non-biased videos coming!

[@PaulSikkema]

I'm glad you like it! It sounds like your drive lever cable is a little tight. Loosen the cable (make it longer) until there is just a little slop/slack in it when the lever is released. The proper tension is when you push down on the handle the slack will disappear and the spring will stretch about 1/2 inch.

[@PFred-ew4zd]

If it's not to late get the 928 it will not ride up under any condition, heavier and more power! The 828 is underpowered for this machine. Got the 928 two years ago and its a great machine but the 8 is a much smaller engine in comparison and will struggle capacity wise in snow over 10 inches and end of driveway plowed snow banks.

[@johnpolishak]

Great video that explained everything

[@michaelhogue6814]

This is my new favorite snow blower video on your channel. Good work Paul. I just replaced my faithful 40yo Ariens with a new Platinum 24". My only complaint was that the transmission would fully engage with very little travel of the lever. That made it difficult to keep it from jerking away or having the bucket pop up. So I loosened the cable so the transmission wouldn't fully engage until the lever was about an inch and a half from the handle. I really like how it operates now. But now the cable is really floppy with the lever in the idle position. Do you think the floppy cable could be a problem?

[@PaulSikkema]

I set them so there is just a little slack in the cable when the lever is released. That way the handle engages when you press on it about half-way and the spring expands about 1/2 inch. That gives you the proper tension on the drive/friction wheel. The cable won't come off it is flopping around but you do want the proper tension on the friction wheel so it doesn't slip.

[@fuenstock]

My local shop has the Ariens deluxe 24, 28 and compact 24. Do you think it’s best to go deluxe and skip the compact for the added features? We have a 6 car driveway and a long curved walkway. We live in central idaho. Which do you think would be a good choice for me?

[@PaulSikkema]

If you had the chance to use each snowblower for one season you will pick the Deluxe series everytime. 24 or 28? Either width will be a good choice.

[@fuenstock]

Thanks. That’s what I was thinking. I’ll go straight to deluxe and skid the compact model.

[@fuenstock]

I’ll probably go the deluxe 24 since we have cars parked in driveway I have to maneuver around.

[@horch1111]

Fantastic review - thank you! Few things are as crucial in the winter as my Toro!!! One thing - inside, by my auger, I have what looks like a fluid (change) plug on a transmission-like mechanism. I didn't see it on the video.

[@PaulSikkema]

That is the front auger gearcase. If the plug is on the top of the case don't worry about it. You never need to change the gear oil. If the plug is on the side or bottom - use your phone to take a picture of it. The next time you are the Toro dealer ask them how to check the oil level.

[@anndziubaksiomos5904]

Thanks for this very informative video, Paul. Part of our driveway has cobblestone. It seems both are capable of handling an uneven surface, but is there one you would recommend over the other for this?

[@PaulSikkema]

I have no preference between these two snowblower. Both will work well for you BUT I do recommend your purchase the optional poly skid shoes. The metal shoes that come standard on snowblowers may scratch your pavers.

[@Doobie2100]

Hi Paul, can you do a video on the Toro 1432 hydro and Toro 1432 friction disc inside view, of the components? Thanks

[@PaulSikkema]

I don't have the 1432 friction disk available. Here is the transmission parts diagram: www.toro.com/en/parts/partdetails?id=55471&iid=466792&pid=517669 The only hydro they have is the Power TRX 1432. Here is the parts diagram for inside the trans case. www.toro.com/en/parts/partdetails?id=56883&iid=471446&pid=524217 I never made a video showing the inside of the tranny case on the power TRX because it's too big and heavy to tip it up on its nose.

[@Jeremy-gy1uh]

Thank you for what you do your videos are helping me out a lot! I live in Minnesota and my driveway is 35 feet wide and 42 feet long. I have never owned a snowblower before and after researching and watching your videos I think I have it narrowed to Ariens either the Deluxe 24 or the Deluxe 28 sho or the Platinum 24. I don't want to be underpowered with the regular deluxe 28. For a driveway my size do you think the 24 inch would be enough or do you think the 28 is a better choice for me?

[@PaulSikkema]

The Deluxe 24 has the same size engine as the Deluxe 28 so it will have more power for heavy wet snow. The Platinum 24 has a LOT more power. So, south of Minneapolis the snow is sometimes very wet and the Platinum is a better choice.North of Minneapolis the Deluxe will work just fine because the snow tends to be dryer most of the time.

[@Jeremy-gy1uh]

Thanks for the response! Do you think the 28 sho would be a good choice or should I stick with the one of the 24 inch options?@@PaulSikkema

[@PaulSikkema]

The 28 will get you done about 15% faster because it's wider. The SHO will throw snow a little farther if that is something you want. Either way all your neighbors with their old crappy snowblowers will stop and watch your new machine throw snow much farther than theirs ever could. :)

[@johnphillips6689]

I have the 24" deluxe Ariens after getting used to it I love it. The power or assisted steering whatever you want to call it took some time to get used to though. My question 254 cc equals how many horse power

[@PaulSikkema]

We are not allowed to use HP anymore on small gas engines here in the U.S. but it's around 8

[@pryme2013]

@@PaulSikkema why are we not allowed to use hp anymore?

[@PaulSikkema]

A lawsuit a while back convinced the courts that HP is not a fair representation of the actual power at the blades on a push mower. To stay away from similar lawsuits the manufactures just dropped the HP engine designation for all walk-behind and hand-held gas powered equipment.

[@pryme2013]

@@PaulSikkema thanks for the information. Wondered why they always show torque only. Do you know about toro mowers too? Was looking at this huge toro push mower it was like 30" and had a 233cc engine. Wonder how good it is, spendy at 1,299 though. Could get a small rider for that

[@PaulSikkema]

Yes, you could get a small rider but you won't get the quality of the Toro TimeMaster. If you like to walk I highly recommend it! The only disadvantage it has is the fuel tank is small. you'll have to fill it up with fuel every 45 minutes. I have two video I'll list below using the TimeMaster. By the way. I just started mine last week. It sat in a dry storage shed with 1/2 tank of E10, 87 octane fuel with SeaFoam in it since last Sept. It started right up! Here are the videos. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnbWopeundx5qdE kzbin.info/www/bejne/h323npJ7ad6Do7c You can buy it through Home Depot here: homedepot.sjv.io/qnnGZN

[@plmn93]

Great overview. Their internals appear to be either made from different materials or with different finishes. Would be interesting to look at 5-10 year old ones to see any differences in how they hold up.

[@PaulSikkema]

Both Ariens and Toro have spent the last 50 years designing components that hold up. As long as you don't leave your snowblower outside - on dirt - all year long they both will last you 25 years and longer.

[@plmn93]

@@PaulSikkema Ha, you mean like that SkipRope guy? Yeah it's a mystery how his machine got so rusty blowing salt and storing it outside under a tarp and not doing any maintenance. Seriously though, I have noticed the metal on the new Ariens machines is not the same as on my 2002 824. The bare steel no longer has that yellow/gold color. It's obviously treated differently, but I don't know enough to know what that difference is or what the consequences may be, though I'm pretty certain the reason was cost savings. I'll find out I guess as after years of waffling I finally bought a new Platinum 24 after the dealer made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

[@PaulSikkema]

After setting outside all summer I'll bet he didn't change the oil before he started it. With all the moisture in the crankcase my guess is if he checked it now the oil will look like chocolate milk...