Honda HSS724ATD vs Ariens Deluxe 24
Quick take: The Ariens Deluxe 24 costs $1,800 less; the Ariens Deluxe 24 clears a wider 24" path per pass; the Ariens Deluxe 24 throws snow farther (up to 50 ft).
| Spec | Honda HSS724ATD | Ariens Deluxe 24 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,299 | $1,499 |
| Rating | — | 4.5★ (247) |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 196cc Honda GX200 | 252cc Ariens AX |
| Clearing Width | 23.8" | 24" |
| Intake Height | 21.7" | 21" |
| Throw Distance | up to 49 ft | up to 50 ft |
| Weight | 243 lb | 246 lb |
| Starting | Electric key start (onboard battery) + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | No | No |
| Drive & Handling | 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. | 6 forward/2 reverse Disc-O-Matic drive with Auto-Turn steering — no triggers, it just follows your lean. Dual-belt impeller drive resists slip in wet loads. 200-degree remote chute and remote deflector are both worked from the dash without leaving the handles. |
| Warranty | 3-year residential and commercial | 3-year residential |
Pros & cons
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
- ✓Holds resale value dramatically better than box-store brands
- ✗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
Ariens Deluxe 24
- ✓Oversized 14-inch impeller throws wet snow 40-50 ft — noticeably farther than 12-inch-impeller rivals
- ✓21-inch intake height takes tall plow berms without ramming
- ✓Auto-Turn steering pivots with zero trigger-squeezing — effortless at pass ends
- ✓Cast-iron gear case with alloy gears carries a 5-year warranty
- ✓Dual-belt impeller drive keeps power on in heavy slop where single belts slip
- ✓Strong resale value — used Deluxe 24s routinely fetch over half of new price years later
- ✗Heated grips are optional now — Toro and Cub Cadet rivals bundle comfort features at this price
- ✗246 lb makes it a handful to move unpowered; Toro's 826 OXE is ~50 lb lighter
- ✗Auto-Turn can pull to one side on uneven or gravel surfaces until skid shoes are set carefully
- ✗Multiple owner reports of factory fasteners loosening in the first hours — check torque at assembly
- ✗$1,499 street price is $200+ over big-box house brands with similar paper specs