Head to head
Honda HSS724AAWD vs Honda HSS724ATD
Quick take: The Honda HSS724AAWD costs $350 less.
| Spec | Honda HSS724AAWD | Honda HSS724ATD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$2,949 | ~$3,299 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 196cc Honda GX200 OHV | 196cc Honda GX200 |
| Clearing Width | 23.8" | 23.8" |
| Intake Height | 21.7" | 21.7" |
| Throw Distance | up to 49 ft | up to 49 ft |
| Weight | 220 lb | 243 lb |
| Starting | Electric key start (onboard battery) + recoil | Electric key start (onboard battery) + recoil |
| Heated Grips | No | No |
| 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. | Hydrostatic track drive with infinitely variable speed — feather the lever and the tracks creep or hustle with zero gear hunting. No trigger steering; you steer with handlebar leverage, but the electric joystick chute and lever-set auger height (great for gravel) make it feel like heavy equipment in miniature. |
| Warranty | 3-year residential and commercial | 3-year residential and commercial |
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
Honda HSS724ATD
- ✓Track drive delivers unmatched traction on slopes and hardpack
- ✓Hydrostatic transmission gives truly infinite speed control in both directions
- ✓Auger height adjustment lets you float the bucket over gravel or scrape pavement clean
- ✓49-foot max throw from a 24-inch class machine
- ✓Onboard-battery electric key start — no extension cord in a snowstorm
- ✗Around $3,299 for a 23.8-inch cut — double the price of wider wheeled rivals
- ✗Pre-fix units had a notorious wet-snow chute-clogging problem; confirm the updated chute on used or old stock
- ✗No trigger steering — turning the tracks takes muscle compared to an Ariens with auto-turn
- ✗No heated grips even at this price
- ✗Honda has shrunk its US snow blower business (single-stage axed), so long-term dealer stock is a question mark