Head to head
Toro Power Max HD 1428 OHXE vs Ariens Professional 28 RapidTrak Hydro
vs
Quick take: The Toro Power Max HD 1428 OHXE costs $250 less; the Toro Power Max HD 1428 OHXE throws snow farther (up to 65 ft); the Ariens Professional 28 RapidTrak Hydro has heated grips for the January mornings this all exists for.
| Spec | Toro Power Max HD 1428 OHXE | Ariens Professional 28 RapidTrak Hydro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$2,949 | ~$3,199 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 420cc Toro Premium OHV | 420cc Ariens AX |
| Clearing Width | 28" | 28" |
| Intake Height | 21" | 23.5" |
| Throw Distance | up to 65 ft | up to 60 ft |
| Weight | 304 lb | 339 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. | Infinitely-variable hydrostatic drive — squeeze and go, no gear stops — riding on RapidTrak tracks with three positions: wheel mode for speed, track mode for slopes, and dig-in mode that tips the bucket down to attack ice pack. Electric 200-degree chute control and Auto-Turn steering. |
| Warranty | 5-year residential, 1-year commercial | 3-year residential / 1-year commercial |
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 Professional 28 RapidTrak Hydro
- ✓Hydrostatic transmission feathers ground speed infinitely — no stopping to shift in changing snow depth
- ✓Dig-in track mode tips the 23.5-in bucket down to chew through EOD hardpack and ice crust
- ✓420cc AX engine holds RPM in wet chest-high berms that stall 300cc-class machines
- ✓Electric chute rotation plus remote deflector — full 200-degree control without leaving the bars
- ✓Heated grips, LED lighting, and reinforced handlebars are all standard commercial kit
- ✓Track traction climbs slick inclines where wheeled machines spin out
- ✗$3,199 is roughly double a Deluxe 28 SHO for the same 28-inch swath
- ✗Tracks ride over packed tire tracks instead of scraping them — wheeled machines scrape flatter
- ✗Some owners report drive belt/track skipping under maximum load requiring dealer adjustment
- ✗339 lb — moving it without engine power is a two-person job
- ✗Exposed track mechanism packs with slush and demands post-storm cleanout if stored outside