Ariens Deluxe 28 vs Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO
Quick take: The Ariens Deluxe 28 costs $150 less; the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO throws snow farther (up to 55 ft).
| Spec | Ariens Deluxe 28 | Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,649 | $1,799 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (418) | — |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 252cc Ariens AX | 301cc Ariens AX |
| Clearing Width | 28" | 28" |
| Intake Height | 21" | 21" |
| Throw Distance | up to 50 ft | up to 55 ft |
| Weight | 233 lb | 239 lb |
| Starting | 120V electric + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | No | No |
| Drive & Handling | 6 forward/2 reverse Disc-O-Matic friction-disc drive with Auto-Turn triggerless steering and 16-inch directional snow tires. Dual-belt impeller drive, 200-degree remote chute and remote deflector from the dash. At 233 lb it's the lightest-steering big-bucket Ariens. | 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. |
| Warranty | 3-year residential | 3-year residential |
Pros & cons
Ariens Deluxe 28
- ✓28-inch swath at $1,649 is the best width-per-dollar ratio in the Ariens catalog
- ✓Same 14-inch impeller and dual-belt drive as the SHO — 40-50 ft throws in normal snow
- ✓233 lb (lighter than the Deluxe 24's frame with more width) steers easily via Auto-Turn
- ✓21-inch intake height swallows plow berms without ramming
- ✓418 retailer reviews averaging 4.5 stars — one of the most-validated machines in the class
- ✓Cast-iron gear case with 5-year warranty, steel chute, all-steel dash
- ✗Shares the 252cc engine with the Deluxe 24 — noticeably bogs in deep wet snow at full width
- ✗Heated grips are optional this generation; they were standard on older Deluxe 28s
- ✗Auto-Turn wanders on rutted gravel until skid shoes are dialed
- ✗50 ft max throw drops fast in slop — the SHO holds distance far better for $150 more
- ✗No factory drift cutters or airless tire option at this price
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