Head to head
Toro Power Max HD 1428 OHXE vs Ariens Platinum 30 SHO
Quick take: The Ariens Platinum 30 SHO costs $550 less; the Ariens Platinum 30 SHO clears a wider 30" path per pass; the Toro Power Max HD 1428 OHXE throws snow farther (up to 65 ft); the Ariens Platinum 30 SHO has heated grips for the January mornings this all exists for.
| Spec | Toro Power Max HD 1428 OHXE | Ariens Platinum 30 SHO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$2,949 | ~$2,399 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 420cc Toro Premium OHV | 414cc Ariens AX |
| Clearing Width | 28" | 30" |
| Intake Height | 21" | 21" |
| Throw Distance | up to 65 ft | up to 55 ft |
| Weight | 304 lb | 274 lb |
| Starting | 120V electric + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | No | Yes |
| Drive & Handling | Six forward and two reverse speeds through a rear-wheel drive with Toro's one-hand operation levers, so the free hand works the Quick Stick or the speed selector without stopping the machine. | Six forward and two reverse speeds through the Disc-O-Matic friction drive, with Auto-Turn steering — lean into a turn and the machine pivots, with no trigger releases to pull. |
| Warranty | 5-year residential, 1-year commercial | 3-year residential, 5-year gear case |
Pros & cons
Toro Power Max HD 1428 OHXE
- ✓65-foot throw is the longest in this catalog and keeps snow off the area you just cleared
- ✓A one-year commercial term on a residential machine is genuinely rare
- ✓One-hand operation frees the other hand for the chute or the speed lever mid-pass
- ✓21-inch intake with drift breakers takes a plow berm without layering
- ✓420cc has reserve for a long gravel-free driveway in wet snow
- ✗304 lb — heavy to turn, heavy to store, and awkward on a sloped driveway
- ✗Heated grips are a $-extra accessory, not standard, despite dealer copy that says otherwise
- ✗$2,949 is the most expensive machine in this catalog
- ✗Far more machine than a typical two-car suburban driveway needs
Ariens Platinum 30 SHO
- ✓414cc and the SHO impeller move a genuinely large volume — Ariens rates it at 82 tons per hour
- ✓Handwarmers and a remote deflector are standard, unlike the Toro flagship
- ✓Auto-Turn pivots without trigger releases, which matters on a 274 lb machine
- ✓Five-year gear case warranty on a cast-iron case
- ✓30-inch width cuts a two-car driveway in noticeably fewer passes than a 24
- ✓LED headlight and an in-dash chute lever rather than the Deluxe line's crank
- ✗Auto-Turn is sensitive to uneven tire pressure and skid-shoe setup and will pull to one side if they drift
- ✗274 lb and 32 inches wide — measure the shed door before buying
- ✗55-foot throw trails the Toro 1428 OHXE's 65 feet
- ✗Overkill for a single-car driveway in a moderate-snow state