Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Best residential sized snowblower?

I have 2 Ariens 28 SHO's. They are very good.
I do like the HP to bucket size of the platinum 24, but prefer the simpler chute control of the Deluxe series.

Can't go wrong with Ariens. They all have 14 inch impellers, which makes a big difference in throwing distance, and not clogging in slush.
I have never clogged either of mine.

I'm fine with a 24", I'd actually prefer it. A 24" with a big motor like the ariens platinum would be ideal assuming everything else can hold up.

I'm with you on the platinum size and engine. The chute control seems overly complicated....nothing wrong with a hand crank. I really wish they would do a 24" deluxe sho.

I would think the Deluxe 24 would be fine for most snows. Heck it has the same size engine as the Deluxe 28. Might just have to slow down more in very deep, heavy snow.
I actually wanted 2 Deluxe 24's, but found both 28SHO's on Marketplace for price I couldnt refuse.

Buy any brand of snowblower you want........Just be sure it has a HONDA engine on it.

We live in LAKE EFFECT CENTRAL, MEEEECHIGAN. We get 250-300 inches of the white stuff every year and sometimes more. And I have a big and long driveway. My long lived 828 I gifted to my son; still going strong after 25+ years. Now running a newer 928 which is even better. Almost all of the pros up here run Hondas too. The neighbors call me when their "POS, BOT ON END OF SEASON SALE SB" has broken or crapped out again.

If you want the best and longest lasting, buy a Honda SB in the first place.. Buy Once, Cry Once.

I've been running a Honda HS928 snowblower for the last 5 years, or so. It's a 2006 model that I bought from a friend, when they left the state. It's a beast! If I get the angle just right, I can hit Russia from my driveway!

I've run Toro, Ariens, Ryobi, Craftsman, and Husqvarna over the years, and this Honda is the best snowblower I've ever operated. It has a hydrostatic drive, with tracks, starts easy, and chews through snow like no tomorrow.

The only things I've had to fix are a few broken shear pins over the years, but that's an easy fix. The hardest part about replacing a shear pin is finding the 10mm socket.

Same here.

I was hoping for something Honda powered right away. But after seeing prices I'm out. $2,000 is my max.

You might be able to score a used Honda blower from someone moving South to warmer climes. Try Craigslist or FB Market place and such. But of course, now is absolutely the worst time to be looking for such a deal on a snowblower......

now is the time to buy a mower on craigslist

I’ve been very happy with my Ariens 28. Several seasons under its belt and very reliable in pretty bad conditions at times.

+1

(Just read back thru the earlier posts)

Yamaha yt 624

My 28" 3X Cub Cadet kicked some more butt today, a big drifted over driveway on the old dairy farm across the road where I caretake and hunt. It also cleaned the three jacked up aprons on the garage and the junk of concrete snow left on the exit from the highway! I would normally get my nephew to help me out with his skidsteer, but it is broke down.

Airens, 24", electric start, pull start backup, self propelled, 2 stage, tosses snow darn good.

That "in stock" looks good if it is a quality machine. That Chinese POS from Home Depot was in stock at the time.......

No longer made, parts hard to find,or unavailable after 3 years, only blows dry snow about 5 feet now- wet snow doesn't make it out the tube.

My big Honda, from local dealer, on tracks, with down payment back in May/June, cut-off date for ordering was July1.) was supposed to be here in late September or October, then December Not!

Dealer staff has no idea when it will get here, where it (they) is/are etc. Manager doesn't disclose any info about same to staff. I'm figuring since he doesn't, it's gonna be July, or maybe next fall now. If ever. Fuggin showroom is crammed with ATV, UTV, boats, motors, motorcycles....

The plow berms (so far a third the cost of the new unobtanium) are 5 feet high in driveway and lots. Gonna be a problem with any amount of new snow, or without attending to with a skid steer or removal - and those don't cost any $25 rented or contract.

I am not a happy camper..... nor are the others waiting on the unobtaniums. The stack of orders like mine is about 2" high.

Same one I have here in the valley. I love this machine! Not sure what year mine is but I bought it new and it's a beast.

I run two Ariens regularly, a 24" deluxe at home and a 22" cheapest that could be bought at work. The home one has been solid for the last twelve years. The one at work hasn't been right since three years after purchase. The engine and trans didn't hold up. As far as Honda SB's, the folks had an older tracked model for years. It lives with coworker now, and is still the finest example of blower tech I've seen. They're well worth the money.

I scored a 10plus year old airens st24 for nothing. It had old gas in it and never ran past year 1. I cleaned the carb and it runs great. We've had over 36" of snow fall here and it impresses me. It's only a 5hp 24" 2 stage....but punches well above it's belt.

As I shuffle around the house, watching it snow, with a 105 degree temp, a new blower is looking really good.


Merry Christmas, Gents