Ariens Platinum 24 SHO vs Honda HSS928ATD
Quick take: The Ariens Platinum 24 SHO costs $1,600 less; the Honda HSS928ATD clears a wider 28" path per pass; the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO throws snow farther (up to 55 ft); the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO has heated grips for the January mornings this all exists for.
| Spec | Ariens Platinum 24 SHO | Honda HSS928ATD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,999 | $3,599 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 389cc Ariens AX | 270cc Honda GX270 |
| Clearing Width | 24" | 28" |
| Intake Height | 21" | 21.7" |
| Throw Distance | up to 55 ft | up to 52 ft |
| Weight | 267 lb | 276 lb |
| Starting | 120V electric + recoil | Electric key start (onboard battery) + recoil |
| Heated Grips | Yes | No |
| Drive & Handling | 6 forward/2 reverse Disc-O-Matic with Auto-Turn steering and one-hand interlock so your right hand stays free for the dash-mounted remote chute and deflector. Standard handwarmers, LED headlight, and the SHO impeller pushed by the biggest engine Ariens puts on a 24-inch bucket. | Hydrostatic track drive you steer by leaning on the bars — infinitely variable speed means you match ground speed to snow load perfectly instead of hunting gears. The electric joystick flicks the chute anywhere in seconds, and the auger-height lever raises the bucket for gravel or drops it to scrape. |
| Warranty | 3-year residential | 3-year residential and commercial |
Pros & cons
Ariens Platinum 24 SHO
- ✓389cc on a 24-inch bucket gives the highest power-to-width ratio in the Ariens walk-behind line
- ✓Throws heavy wet snow a legitimate 50-55 ft, so nothing lands back in your cleared path
- ✓Heated handgrips, LED light, and remote deflector are all standard at this trim
- ✓One-hand interlock control frees your other hand for constant chute adjustments
- ✓24-inch width tracks through gates and sidewalks a 28 can't fit
- ✓Cast-iron gear case with 5-year warranty and dual-belt SHO drive
- ✗The EZ-Launch EFI engine of the previous Platinum SHO (921053) was discontinued — the new carb 389cc gives up cold-start ease and fuel economy
- ✗$1,999 for a 24-inch cut is width-per-dollar you could beat with a Deluxe 28 SHO at $200 less
- ✗267 lb is very heavy for a 24 — dense to move around a small garage
- ✗Overkill for regions that see under a foot per storm; the extra torque goes unused
- ✗Dealer-network product — big-box availability and posted reviews are thin
Honda HSS928ATD
- ✓Track traction and low center of gravity handle slopes wheeled machines can't
- ✓Infinitely variable hydrostatic speed in forward and reverse
- ✓Electric joystick chute control is the best in the business
- ✓52-foot throw clears wide driveways without re-blowing the same snow
- ✓Onboard battery key start — no cord, reliable in deep cold
- ✓3-year warranty covers commercial use, not just residential
- ✗$3,599 street price is nearly double a comparable wheeled Ariens Deluxe
- ✗Wet-snow chute clogging plagued earlier HSS928 units — insist on the updated chute
- ✗No trigger steering, so tight turns take real effort at 276 lb
- ✗No heated grips at a price where Husqvarna and Ariens include them
- ✗Dealer-only sales and seasonal stockouts make it hard to buy mid-winter