i am a toro guy,,,i have an ariens but thats me some like hondas i think all do a good job,,,,its how they last

I don't think you will notice a difference even then.

You can find those cleats and others here: amzn.to/2Ms6Xfx

The SnowMaster is ONLY good for hard surfaces - it doesn't work well at all on gravel and turf. The Ariens Deluxe and the Toro 826 will throw snow twice as far if you need to get it away from your driveway. The Toro 826 OHAE has the new automatic steering so it is a lot easier to turn than your old 826. Capacity is about the same but no one complains about it not handling heavy/wet snow. It has a 10 inch impeller. The Ariens Deluxe 24 will handle any snow you get with it 14 inch impeller. It also has larger tires and autamatic steering. It is one of the best 24 inch snowblowers for heavy/wet snow. The only snowblowers better than this are the Ariens Platinum 24 and the Ariens Great Lakes Edition.

You know you can adjust the drive speeds easily

I use the oil recommended in the operator's manual but - most have switched to 5W20 Synthetic. While the oil will last 10 years in a residential snowblower most brands recommend changing it every year. A heavy-duty grease from Tractor Supply, Farm & Fleet or Fleet Farm is a great choice. Gearbox: Check the oil when you first get the snowblower. After that every 5 years or so check the oil in the gearcase.

Yes, I always liked the MTD electric chute. There are about a dozen engineering choices that allow the Toro and Ariens snowblowers to throw a lot more snow than all the other snowblowers including the MTD/Craftsman. Specifically, it's not the plastic chute itself - it's the width of the chute and the impeller opening - plus other factors. Ariens does have an electric chute and the thumb joystick is even easier to use and faster than the Craftsman/MTD one. It's on the dealer only Special Edition models. Here is a video where I explain how the MTD snowblower move snow through them. The snowblower in the video has the plastic chute like yours.

@@PaulSikkema Thanks for the reply. Do you have a video of the dealer model with the joystick chute?

Robert shows off the Kraken with the electric chute about the 18:45 mark here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g8WDbNOix52bl30.html

Tough choice. The Toro should clear 2-8 inches off the driveways because it wider - but because the 24 inch Platinum has a much bigger engine it will clear the driveways just as fast - because you can walk faster. Both will handle any snow you get and won't plug on the heavy/wet stuff. All that said, if you can find one, the 928 does have one advantage - the double jointed chute allows you to put snow right by the snowblower if you have really tight areas to clear.

My guess the cable is to tight or binding. Check the other end. Check to make sure the cable is routed correctly. Here is a link to the manual and the set-up guide www.toro.com/en/parts/partdetails/?id=52145

Dealers carry all the models. There is no difference. But - Lowes, The Home Depot, farm stores and other "big Box" stores only carry the models they think will sell well to their customers - generally the smaller, cheaper models. If you want a specific model - for example an Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO the dealer will carry it - Lowes won't. The same is also true with zero-turn mowers. For example the Toro SS was available also at the dealer. It's the same mower wherever it's sold. It's just that the box stores don't carry all the models.

@@PaulSikkema Thanks...this helps lots!

Paul's reviews are spot on and steered me to the 828OAE. I live in the Midwest and have a large circle drive. It took me an hour to clear 8"-10" and the Toro worked great. The only grip was the 1/4" bolts that hold the wheel on broke. I suspect it was over torqued when assembled. I have not had any problems since then. Watch all of Paul's reviews and make your decision based on what you need.

I suggest EFI is the most important part of your decision. EFI will automatically adjust for your high elevation and give you a lot more power for clearing all that snow. (Up to 20% more than a regular carb) If you want a RapidTrak I strongly suggest waiting until the fall. Ariens will have EFI models available then.

@@PaulSikkema Thanks Paul, Any other suggestions if dont want RapidTrak?

For what you have to clear any of the Ariens EFI models will work well. The Deluxe 30 EFI is the least expensive. I also have a solid rumor that Ariens is adding more EFI models this fall. I should know more about them in July.

I'm guessing you are talking about the Toro 2-stage electric? ^ AH will start and move the snowblower but it will only give you about 10-15 minutes of runtime. Three 7.5 AH batteries is 21 AH and that will give you up to an hour of runtime.

How long is long? Where do you live? Please give me the city/state so I can figure how much snow you get. That will help me narrow the choices down to a couple of units for you.

Heated handgrips are nice to have. More power is ALWAYS appreciated. NY is a very long state and the average snowfall varies greatly from 10 feet to 30 inches on average. So, if you live in the Buffalo area over to Fort Drum you will NEED the extra power. If you live in the Hudson Valley - not so much. Long Island usually gets the heavy, wet stuff so you'll be glad you got the larger engine out there.

@@PaulSikkema Thanks, appreciate it!

I forgot to add, I live in the Chicago area.

And I need a 2 stage, since I'm 74 and a single stage has gotten pretty hard for me to handle.

Consumer Reports is very inconsistent in how they review. ( they use sawdust to review snowblowers!) That said, The Toro 828 is a perfect snowblower for the Chicago area. It clears as good as any other 2-stage on the market and it is a LOT easier to use than the Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm. (or Cub Cadet 30 MAX) The 828 is balanced very well so it is easy to maneuver and with the automatic steering it's as easy to turn as a single-stage. How you set the scraper bar is how well it clears. In your case, for hard surfaces set the clearance under the scraper bar at 1/8 inch. (the thickness of a paint stirring stick) If you have gravel or turf to clear set the gap at 1/4 inch (use 1/4 inch plywood or the cardboard box the snowblower came in) Yes, everyone is having supply chain issues. Many manufactures are only making the more popular models - that's why the 928 is not available.

Impeller kits are garbage. They help MTD and other older snowblowers to throw more snow but they are not needed or recommended on Ariens and Toro machines. They screw up how the Ariens snowblowers handle snow. Ariens snowblowers use the "gap" between the impeller and housing to offload snow. That gap and the open front auger allow the engine to maintain a higher rpm - letting it throw snow farther. Watch this video starting about minute 18 - I explain how your snowblower handles snow.

@@PaulSikkema Which video?

Sorry - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gd6IqLGLvKqwiZs.html

@@PaulSikkema 👍

Yes, I'm fine. All the snow went around me this year. I got less than 7 inches all winter and that was in 1-2 inch snows. Plus, with all the parts shortages none of the manufactures had anything for us KZfaqrs to show off. I'll be back shortly with mowers!

The term Midwest is a little to large for me to help you in finding a dealer. Would you please reply back with the City, State. I know Ariens doesn't have to many dealers in eastern Iowa but most of the John Deere dealers in the area can service the snowblowers.

@@PaulSikkema Paul I am from Normal, IL. Zip is 61761. My local Lowe’s is the dealer but not sure if they does any service. Thanks .

Check out Quality Truck & Equipment Co. They are listed on Ariens website. 1201 E Bell Street Bloomington, IL 61701 US 309-662-5344

@@PaulSikkema thank you

@@PaulSikkema Thanks Paul .

All four will last you a long time. My first choice for your area and driveway size is the Platinum 24. The 14 inch impeller will handle any snow you get, including the heavy/wet stuff. With it's huge engine for the size of the snowblower it will throw the snow the farthest and 12 inches + snow won't slow it down. Second choice from your selection is the Deluxe 28 SHO. It's 4 inches wide than the Platinum 24 so you will be able to clear lighter, 4-6 inch snow about 20 % faster than the Platinum 24. The 28 SHO has a larger engine than the cheaper Ariens Deluxe 28 and you'll want that extra power in your area for the Nor'easter's you can get. The Toro HD 828 is a good snowblower but you will wish you had a larger engine most of the time. (It compares to the Ariens Deluxe 28) Since Toro discontinued the 928 HD you have to move up to the 1428 HD to get the power you want for your area. I don't recommend the Toro 826 for your area. It has a smaller 10 inch impeller and doesn't handle the 12 inches + snows you can get as well as the other snowblowers on your list.

@@PaulSikkema Thanks very much for the info, Paul! Much appreciated

@@PaulSikkema Hi again Paul. Still reviewing and reading on snowblowers. I know you mentioned Toro discontinued the HD 928 but what about the HD 1030? It has a bigger motor, larger impeller and looks pretty good. Is about the same price as the Deluxe 28 SHO. What do you think? I have a Toro dealer in my town. Closest Ariens dealer is about 20 miles away. Thanks again

The 1030 will work well for you.

@@PaulSikkema Thanks Paul! It's a tough decision!

If you don't use a closed vacuum system to change the oil the Ariens is the easiest because the drain tube sticks out the back of the machine. Also Toro wants you let a dealer change the belts - they even don't show you how in the manual. Everything else is the same. So, that makes the Ariens easier.

And the tiny little chute deflector on the Toro is a selling point for Ariens.

@@PaulSikkema haha true. Why I got the 928.

@@mct8888 so do we ... love it.

@@mct8888 The Toro 928 OAE HD is a beast!

I'm back, check out the new video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e8CGppWkzc-anWw.html

I'm guessing you are talking about the Ariens? If you are you may be missing the e-clip. Watch this video where Donyboy73 goes through the axle parts. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rd5mjalnrrbQe6M.html

@@PaulSikkema yes Ariens brand new 24 deluxe. It doesn’t have anything on the left side to hold the shaft in place

The axle goes all the way through and is held in place with the e-clip shown in the video on the right side of the snowblower. Get to your dealer to get one or most hardwares stores also carry the right size clip.

Just so you know - both units have the same DI300 auto-locking differential. (auto-steer) For some reason a very few people think a snowblower should go straight by itself with NO interaction from the operator. Those few people have spent all their time online complaining how the autoturn "they don't work like they used to." That said, If you buy either of these snowblowers it will take you one snow clearing of your driveway to realize how easy they are to use. Just grab the handles, clear snow, and when you turn around just push down on the handles so the front comes off the ground an inch and then make your turn. No triggers to pull to get it to turn. You can even zero-turn with them if you want. Since you have mostly gravel I suggest setting the clearance between the scraper bar under the front auger housing to 3/8 inch. That will allow you to clear the snow without picking up too many rocks. The Ariens 28 Deluxe is a little heavier than the Toro Power Max so it will have the best traction up the hill. The Deluxe 28 also has more capacity (and wider width) so if you are in a hurry it will clear your driveway about 10 minutes faster. The Toro 826 OAHE does have heated hand grips while the Ariens Deluxe 28 does not. (the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO has heated handgrips and a larger engine to get done even faster) I have a dozen snowblowers here that I use to make videos. If I just have to clear my own driveway and sidewalks I ALWAYS grab a snowblower with the AutoTurn because it is so much easier to use. Because you don't have to use the triggers to steer you can make small course corrections and spin around quickly at the end of the driveway. The AutoTurn makes these machines much faster to use overall.

The Ariens Deluxe 24 has a 14 inch auger/impeller. The Toro has a 10 inch impeller. The Ariens handles heavy/wet snow a lot better. It doesn't clog.

@@PaulSikkema Thank you Paul!

@@PaulSikkema Sorry to bother you, now if I were to say the Ariens Compact 24 vs the Toro 826 oxe if they are both 1500$ here in Canada which one would you recommend? Thank you Paul.. I hope I am not bothering you

Now it gets weird...If the Ariens Compact 24 is the 2020 version with the AutoTurn then that Compact and the 826 is the 826 OHXE (2020 version) then the 826 is the better choice because it has handwarmers. If the Ariens Compact 24 is the 2020 version with the AutoTurn then and the 826 is the OXE then the only difference is the two inches. If the Ariens Compact 24 is the 2019 version without the AutoTurn then either the Toro 826 OXE or the 826 OHXE is a better choice because they both have the automatic steering (AutoTurn) Finally, the Ariens Deluxe 24 is better than all of these. It does not have handwarmers but it has the larger 14 inch impeller and the AutoTurn. It will clear anything including slop.

Thank you! Would the 252cc engin do a difference compared to the 223cc one from the ariens compact?

That's because the Ariens was downwind from the microphone and the Toro was up wind. The wind was strong enough to make that much of a difference.

@@PaulSikkema Oh ok, that makes sense, because the Toro was LOUD.

It really depends on where you have to put your snow. 1. Some owners have to put all their snow in the backyard. That means throwing the snow the length of their garage or more. So being able to throw the snow 40 feet or more really helps speed up the process. 2. My neighbor could only put the snow to the west of his driveway. He had a single-stage so the snow pile was always taller than his pickup. So each time it snowed his driveway would drift shut right away. If he had a snowblower that would throw the snow 40 feet he would not have had that huge snow pile and wouldn't have gotten the drifting each time it snowed. 3. Large areas. I now have a parking lot that can hold 20 cars. I like to move the snow all to one side and having a snowblower that will throw 50 feet means I don't have to "rethrow" the snow. 4. When living in areas the get 80-200 inches of snow the more power you have and the farther you can throw it makes a huge difference. You can get it out of the way so you don't get as much drifting and the extra power lets you get done a lot faster than the smaller capacity machines that only throw it 20-30 feet. 5. A lot of areas, for example, Nothern Iowa and Western Minnesota, get a lot of wind after a snowstorm. Being able to get the snow far away from the driveway really helps to keep the drifting to a minimum - especially if your driveway runs north and south. 6. EGO - It's always fun to watch all the neighbors stop and watch you throw snow with the high-capacity snowblower and clear your driveway twice as fast as they can with their tired, old, wimpy machines.

You'll like the extra power on the Ariens. I'm noticing the Toro 828 is a little underpowered- especially for the type and amount of snow you can get in Minneapolis. (I lived in Chippewa Falls for 15 years so I know the snow you can get :)

thank you Paul!@@PaulSikkema