Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO vs Toro Power Max HD 828 OAE
Quick take: The Toro Power Max HD 828 OAE costs $50 less; the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO throws snow farther (up to 55 ft).
| Spec | Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO | Toro Power Max HD 828 OAE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,799 | $1,749 |
| Rating | — | 4.5★ (401) |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 301cc Ariens AX | 252cc Toro Premium OHV |
| Clearing Width | 28" | 28" |
| Intake Height | 21" | 21" |
| Throw Distance | up to 55 ft | up to 45 ft |
| Weight | 239 lb | 240 lb |
| Starting | 120V electric + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | No | No |
| 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. | Triggerless steering plus 6F/2R friction-disc drive makes the 240-lb HD feel smaller than it is - tip it into a turn and it swings around. 16-inch lug tires claw up plow berms, the Quick Stick flicks the steel chute through 200 degrees, and the commercial gearbox has no shear pins; strike something hard and the engine stalls instead. |
| Warranty | 3-year residential | 3-year limited |
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
Toro Power Max HD 828 OAE
- ✓Tallest-in-class 21-inch steel bucket swallows drifts and berms
- ✓Commercial gearbox with no shear pins to replace
- ✓Triggerless steering makes the heavy chassis genuinely nimble
- ✓Anti-Clogging System maintains throw distance in wet snow
- ✓16-inch deep-lug directional tires grip icy inclines
- ✓LED headlight standard for early-morning clearing
- ✗Hand warmers cost extra ($126 kit) at a $1,749 price point
- ✗252cc engine is unchanged from cheaper non-HD trims
- ✗240 lbs and a big footprint - it dominates a single-car garage
- ✗Replaced the higher-displacement 928 OAE, which some buyers miss
- ✗Overkill for driveways under 60 feet or light-snow regions