Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO vs Ariens Deluxe 30
Quick take: The Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO costs $100 less; the Ariens Deluxe 30 clears a wider 30" path per pass; the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO throws snow farther (up to 55 ft); the Ariens Deluxe 30 has heated grips for the January mornings this all exists for.
| Spec | Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO | Ariens Deluxe 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,799 | $1,899 |
| Rating | — | 4.5★ (119) |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 301cc Ariens AX | 301cc Ariens AX |
| Clearing Width | 28" | 30" |
| Intake Height | 21" | 21" |
| Throw Distance | up to 55 ft | up to 50 ft |
| Weight | 239 lb | 276 lb |
| Starting | 120V electric + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | No | Yes |
| Drive & Handling | 6 forward/2 reverse Disc-O-Matic with Auto-Turn triggerless steering and 16-inch directional snow tires. Dual-belt drive spins the 14-inch SHO impeller faster than the standard Deluxe for real 50-55 ft throws; in-dash remote controls both the 200-degree chute and deflector. | 6 forward/2 reverse Disc-O-Matic drive, Auto-Turn steering, and 16-inch directional tires — the 276 lb heft plants it in EOD piles but Auto-Turn still spins it at pass ends. Dual-belt impeller drive; 200-degree remote chute and deflector from the dash. Handwarmers are standard. |
| Warranty | 3-year residential | 3-year residential |
Pros & cons
Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO
- ✓SHO impeller throws wet snow 50-55 ft — clears wide driveways without windrowing back onto cleared area
- ✓Rated 72 tons/hour, up from 65 on the standard Deluxe 28 for only ~$150 more
- ✓21-inch-tall steel bucket handles deep plow berms at the road
- ✓301cc AX starts in one or two pulls even unplugged, per owner reports
- ✓Auto-Turn steering plus 16-inch directional tires make the 239 lb frame feel light
- ✓Cast-iron gear case (5-year warranty) and dual-belt drive are proven decade-plus hardware
- ✗Handwarmers are now a paid add-on — the previous generation's were standard
- ✗Some owners feel the new 301cc gives up a little top-end grunt vs the old 306cc/369cc options in deep slop
- ✗Auto-Turn needs careful skid-shoe setup on gravel or it pulls to one side
- ✗No airless or track option at this price point — deep unpaved terrain wants the RapidTrak
- ✗At $1,799 it's within $200 of the wider Deluxe 30, which tempts buyers into the wrong machine for throw distance
Ariens Deluxe 30
- ✓30-inch swath cuts session time by roughly a fifth vs a 24-inch on big flat driveways
- ✓Heated handgrips come standard on this trim — not optional like the smaller Deluxes
- ✓62-72 tons/hour capacity and 50 ft throw with the 14-inch impeller
- ✓276 lb of steel plants the bucket into hard EOD piles without riding up
- ✓Auto-Turn steering makes a big 30-inch machine turn like a 24
- ✓Cast-iron gear case with 5-year warranty and dual-belt drive shared with the Pro line
- ✗Same 301cc engine as the 28 SHO pulling a wider bucket — bogs sooner in deep wet snow
- ✗276 lb is a garage-space and dead-push problem if the drive ever fails
- ✗30-inch bucket won't fit narrow walks and gates that a 24 clears easily
- ✗Throw drops to ~50 ft vs 55 on the SHO because the width eats impeller speed
- ✗$1,899 is deep into Platinum 24 SHO territory, which throws farther in deep snow