Head to head
Honda HSS724AAWD vs Ariens Platinum 24 SHO
Quick take: The Ariens Platinum 24 SHO costs $950 less; the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO clears a wider 24" 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 | Honda HSS724AAWD | Ariens Platinum 24 SHO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$2,949 | ~$1,999 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 196cc Honda GX200 OHV | 389cc Ariens AX |
| Clearing Width | 23.8" | 24" |
| Intake Height | 21.7" | 21" |
| Throw Distance | up to 49 ft | up to 55 ft |
| Weight | 220 lb | 267 lb |
| Starting | Electric key start (onboard battery) + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | No | Yes |
| Drive & Handling | Hydrostatic wheel drive on 14-inch pneumatic tires — infinitely variable speed through a lever rather than a geared selector, so you match ground speed to the snow instead of picking the nearest gear. Chute direction and pitch move together on a single joystick. | 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. |
| Warranty | 3-year residential and commercial | 3-year residential |
Pros & cons
Honda HSS724AAWD
- ✓Hydrostatic drive lets you match ground speed exactly to conditions rather than picking a gear
- ✓GX200 is a commercial engine with a parts and service network to match
- ✓49-foot throw and 1,500 lb/min are strong for a 23.8-inch machine
- ✓Wheels turn far more easily than the tracked HSS724ATD, and cost less
- ✓Joystick chute control moves direction and pitch in one hand
- ✗Expensive for its 23.8-inch width — you are buying the engine and drivetrain, not the bucket
- ✗No heated grips at this price
- ✗Wheels give up the ice traction and bucket tilt that make the tracked version worth it
- ✗Honda's dealer-order model means parts and warranty work rarely happen same-day
- ✗23.8 inches is narrow for the money — the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO is wider and costs less
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
- ✗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