Head to head
Cub Cadet 2X 28 IntelliPOWER vs Ariens Deluxe 28
vs
Quick take: The Ariens Deluxe 28 costs $30 less; the Ariens Deluxe 28 throws snow farther (up to 50 ft); the Cub Cadet 2X 28 IntelliPOWER has heated grips for the January mornings this all exists for.
| Spec | Cub Cadet 2X 28 IntelliPOWER | Ariens Deluxe 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,679 | ~$1,649 |
| Rating | — | 4.5★ (418) |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 272cc Cub Cadet IntelliPOWER 875-SU | 252cc Ariens AX |
| Clearing Width | 28" | 28" |
| Intake Height | 21" | 21" |
| Throw Distance | up to 40 ft | up to 50 ft |
| Weight | — | 233 lb |
| Starting | Push-button electric + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | Yes | No |
| Drive & Handling | Six forward and two reverse speeds through a friction-disc all-wheel drive, with trigger-controlled power steering on both handles and a remote overhead crank for the 200-degree chute. | 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. |
| Warranty | 3-year residential, 5-year auger gearbox | 3-year residential |
Pros & cons
Cub Cadet 2X 28 IntelliPOWER
- ✓All-wheel drive genuinely helps on slopes and loose surfaces where one driven wheel spins
- ✓Trigger power steering on both handles makes a 28-inch machine turn like a smaller one
- ✓Heated grips and dual LED headlights included rather than optional
- ✓Five-year auger gearbox warranty
- ✓200-degree remote chute crank works from the dash mid-pass
- ✗Cub Cadet publishes no weight for it anywhere, which makes it hard to judge against rivals
- ✗40-foot throw is ordinary for a 28-inch machine — the Ariens Platinum 30 SHO throws 15 feet farther
- ✗Rated to about 12 inches of snow, so a deep berm still needs layering
- ✗Street price varies widely, from roughly $1,499 at retail against a $1,679 list
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
- ✗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