Head to head
Ariens Deluxe 24 vs Toro Power Max 824 OE
vs
Quick take: The Toro Power Max 824 OE costs $100 less; the Ariens Deluxe 24 throws snow farther (up to 50 ft).
| Spec | Ariens Deluxe 24 | Toro Power Max 824 OE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,499 | ~$1,399 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (247) | 4.5★ (1,129) |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 252cc Ariens AX | 252cc Toro Premium OHV |
| Clearing Width | 24" | 24" |
| Intake Height | 21" | 20" |
| Throw Distance | up to 50 ft | up to 45 ft |
| Weight | 246 lb | 184 lb |
| Starting | 120V electric + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | No | No |
| Drive & Handling | 6 forward/2 reverse Disc-O-Matic drive with Auto-Turn steering — no triggers, it just follows your lean. Dual-belt impeller drive resists slip in wet loads. 200-degree remote chute and remote deflector are both worked from the dash without leaving the handles. | Friction-disc drive with 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds; no triggers and no auto-steer at this trim, so you muscle it through turns - at 184 lbs that's manageable. The Quick Stick joystick moves chute and deflector together in one motion, and Toro's Anti-Clogging System self-regulates intake so you're not stopping to dig out the chute. |
| Warranty | 3-year residential | 3-year limited |
Pros & cons
Ariens Deluxe 24
- ✓Oversized 14-inch impeller throws wet snow 40-50 ft — noticeably farther than 12-inch-impeller rivals
- ✓21-inch intake height takes tall plow berms without ramming
- ✓Auto-Turn steering pivots with zero trigger-squeezing — effortless at pass ends
- ✓Cast-iron gear case with alloy gears carries a 5-year warranty
- ✓Strong resale value — used Deluxe 24s routinely fetch over half of new price years later
- ✗Heated grips are optional now — Toro and Cub Cadet rivals bundle comfort features at this price
- ✗246 lb makes it a handful to move unpowered; Toro's 826 OXE is ~50 lb lighter
- ✗Auto-Turn can pull to one side on uneven or gravel surfaces until skid shoes are set carefully
- ✗Multiple owner reports of factory fasteners loosening in the first hours — check torque at assembly
- ✗$1,499 street price is $200+ over big-box house brands with similar paper specs
Toro Power Max 824 OE
- ✓45-foot throw from the proven 252cc Toro Premium OHV engine
- ✓Anti-Clogging System keeps wet snow moving without chute dig-outs
- ✓Hardened gearbox with no shear pins to shear or stock
- ✓Quick Stick beats crank-style chute controls decisively
- ✓Works on gravel and concrete alike with 20-inch intake height
- ✓6 forward / 2 reverse speeds cover crawl-to-jog pacing
- ✗No triggerless steering - 184 lbs is a workout in tight turns
- ✗No hand warmers, headlight, or premium touches at this trim
- ✗Friction-disc speed selection needs occasional cable adjustment
- ✗Engine-stall-on-impact protection alarms first-time owners
- ✗24-inch width means more passes than the 26- and 28-inch trims