Husqvarna ST 330 vs Ariens Deluxe 30
Quick take: The Husqvarna ST 330 costs $50 less; the Ariens Deluxe 30 throws snow farther (up to 50 ft).
| Spec | Husqvarna ST 330 | Ariens Deluxe 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,849 | $1,899 |
| Rating | 3.4★ (17) | 4.5★ (119) |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 389cc Husqvarna OHV | 301cc Ariens AX |
| Clearing Width | 30" | 30" |
| Intake Height | 23" | 21" |
| Throw Distance | up to 40 ft | up to 50 ft |
| Weight | 274 lb | 276 lb |
| Starting | Electric key start + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | Yes | Yes |
| Drive & Handling | Friction-disc drive (6F/1R) with trigger power steering and a high-capacity belt system that resists the slip smaller Husqvarnas suffer. Heated grips, remote chute and deflector controls, and an included drift-cutter deflector extension; at 80 dB it's also notably quieter at the operator's ear than most big two-stages. | 6 forward/2 reverse Disc-O-Matic drive, Auto-Turn steering, and 16-inch directional tires — the 276 lb heft plants it in EOD piles but Auto-Turn still spins it at pass ends. Dual-belt impeller drive; 200-degree remote chute and deflector from the dash. Handwarmers are standard. |
| Warranty | 3-year limited; 10-year gearbox/impeller | 3-year residential |
Pros & cons
Husqvarna ST 330
- ✓Big 389cc engine keeps chute velocity up even in wet, dense snow
- ✓Heated grips and quieter 80 dB operator noise make long sessions bearable
- ✓23-inch intake plus included drift extension handles deep storm totals
- ✓Cast-iron gearbox/impeller with 10-year warranty
- ✓Undercuts Ariens Platinum 30 SHO by several hundred dollars
- ✓Trigger power steering tames the 274-lb chassis
- ✗Middling 3.4-star owner average (17 reviews, Acme Tools) — quality control is hit or miss
- ✗Included in the July 2023 CPSC auger-pulley recall; confirm the free fix on early units
- ✗Friction-disc/belt drive can slip under maximum load where hydro rivals don't
- ✗274 lb is ponderous in tight quarters despite power steering
- ✗Displacement is listed inconsistently across retailers (369cc vs 389cc), reflecting sloppy spec management
Ariens Deluxe 30
- ✓30-inch swath cuts session time by roughly a fifth vs a 24-inch on big flat driveways
- ✓Heated handgrips come standard on this trim — not optional like the smaller Deluxes
- ✓62-72 tons/hour capacity and 50 ft throw with the 14-inch impeller
- ✓276 lb of steel plants the bucket into hard EOD piles without riding up
- ✓Auto-Turn steering makes a big 30-inch machine turn like a 24
- ✓Cast-iron gear case with 5-year warranty and dual-belt drive shared with the Pro line
- ✗Same 301cc engine as the 28 SHO pulling a wider bucket — bogs sooner in deep wet snow
- ✗276 lb is a garage-space and dead-push problem if the drive ever fails
- ✗30-inch bucket won't fit narrow walks and gates that a 24 clears easily
- ✗Throw drops to ~50 ft vs 55 on the SHO because the width eats impeller speed
- ✗$1,899 is deep into Platinum 24 SHO territory, which throws farther in deep snow