PowerSmart 24" Two-Stage (PS24) vs Troy-Bilt Storm 2425
Quick take: The PowerSmart 24" Two-Stage (PS24) costs $630 less.
| Spec | PowerSmart 24" Two-Stage (PS24) | Troy-Bilt Storm 2425 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599 | $1,229 |
| Rating | 4.1★ (470) | — |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 212cc PowerSmart OHV | 208cc Troy-Bilt 270-XU OHV |
| Clearing Width | 24" | 24" |
| Intake Height | 20" | 20" |
| Throw Distance | up to 40 ft | up to 40 ft |
| Weight | 187 lb | 208 lb |
| Starting | 120V electric + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | No | No |
| Drive & Handling | 6 forward / 2 reverse self-propelled drive on 13-inch snow tires — no power steering, so you horse it around turns like an old-school two-stage. The chute cranks through 180 degrees (not the 200 of MTD rivals) with manual pitch, and an LED light helps on dark mornings. | 6 forward / 2 reverse friction-disc drive with Just One Hand operation — you can hold the drive lever and still work the center-mount crank chute or the dashboard remote pitch lever with the other hand. No trigger steering, so end-of-run turns take some muscle. |
| Warranty | 2-year limited | 3-year residential, lifetime chute |
Pros & cons
PowerSmart 24" Two-Stage (PS24)
- ✓Unbeatable price — frequently $550-650 versus $1,200+ name brands
- ✓Handles 8-12 inch storms and surprises owners in wet snow
- ✓Simple 30-minute assembly with decent instructions
- ✓120V electric start fires easily in the cold
- ✓187 lb is light for a 24-inch two-stage, easing storage
- ✓6F/2R self-propelled drive with grippy 13-inch tires
- ✗Thin sheet metal — housing corners bend and paint chips early
- ✗Chute lock nut and choke lever are known failure points
- ✗Parts availability and customer service are widely panned
- ✗No power steering, heated grips, or remote pitch control
- ✗180-degree chute rotation trails the 200 degrees of MTD rivals
Troy-Bilt Storm 2425
- ✓Among the lowest prices for a name-brand 24-inch two-stage
- ✓Just One Hand design keeps both chute controls reachable mid-pass
- ✓Electric start plus recoil is dependable in the cold
- ✓At 208 lb it is easy to handle and store for a two-stage
- ✓Serrated 12-inch steel augers self-feed into crusted snow
- ✓X-Trac 15-inch tires grip acceptably without chains
- ✗208cc engine is undersized for wet snow at full 24-inch width
- ✗No trigger power steering — turning takes real effort
- ✗No headlight or heated grips at this price
- ✗MTD friction-disc gearing: first gear still fast for deep snow
- ✗20-inch intake is shallower than Cub Cadet's 21-inch equivalents