Head to head
Yard Force YF24-DS21-GSB2 24" Two-Stage vs PowerSmart 24" Two-Stage (PS24)
vs
Quick take: The PowerSmart 24" Two-Stage (PS24) costs $500 less.
| Spec | Yard Force YF24-DS21-GSB2 24" Two-Stage | PowerSmart 24" Two-Stage (PS24) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,099 | ~$599 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 208cc Briggs & Stratton | 212cc PowerSmart OHV |
| Clearing Width | 24" | 24" |
| Intake Height | 21" | 20" |
| Throw Distance | up to 40 ft | up to 40 ft |
| Weight | 163 lb | 187 lb |
| Starting | 120V electric + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | No | No |
| Drive & Handling | Six forward and two reverse speeds, self-propelled, with a steel auger and a SuperBrite LED on the dash. | 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. |
| Warranty | 2-year residential | 2-year limited |
Pros & cons
Yard Force YF24-DS21-GSB2 24" Two-Stage
- ✓A Briggs & Stratton engine in a tier where unbranded clones are the norm
- ✓163 lb is genuinely light for a 24-inch two-stage
- ✓21-inch intake matches machines costing several hundred more
- ✓6 forward and 2 reverse speeds
- ✗No heated grips
- ✗Two-year warranty, and Yard Force has a thin service presence in the US
- ✗Light weight cuts both ways — less planted than a heavier machine in wet snow
- ✗Very little owner history to go on; the brand is a recent US arrival
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
- ✓120V electric start fires easily in the cold
- ✓187 lb is light for a 24-inch two-stage, easing storage
- ✗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