Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I am looking to buy a 26" or28'"snowblower.  I am torn between the Honda HS928wa and the Ariens 28" Deluxe.  Also is the Ariens Pro model worth the difference? 

I live in Western Mass and we do get a fair amount of snow.  I have had great service from two Honda mowers and several Honda cars.  I will spend the extra money if I can see the value.  I have never tried a Honda blower.  I have read in consumer reports that it is hard to steer because of the drive system.  I have looked at the Ariens but nobody has been able to explain to me the difference in the drive system between the deluxe and the pro.  The new deluxe model (1128le) has a lever to disengage the axle and the pro has the same lever for traction control?  The two local dealers can't explain the difference.  Is the pro worth another $800 in the same 28" size.  Could I ever wear out the deluxe?

The  Hondas use a hydrostatic transmission, considered a significant plus - at significant cost.

The Ariens Pro models have an automotive style differential that allows each wheel to be driven at different speeds, allowing for easy manueverability. For EOD snow and other difficult conditions, the differential can be locked with a trigger so that both wheels are driven at the same speed. Most real off-road vehicles have locking differentials for the same reason. somewhere here is a description of the two systems by an Ariens engineer.

The LE version normally drives both wheels in locked mode, but you can unlock one wheel with a trigger. This makes it easy to manuever, but only one wheel is driven in that mode. The reason this makes sense is the most folks blow long, relatively straight swaths and only have to turn around at each end. 

The Pro models also have an OHV engine and cast iron auger  gear case. As the OHV engines are quieter and use less fuel, and the resale value of Pro models is substantially higher, many folks who live in regions with heavy snow are willing to spend the extra money. It really comes down to how much money you want to spend, how big an area you clear, and snowfall, which in your area is pretty significant. The Pro model is probably less $$ than the Honda, I'd guess.

The local dealer I go to for parts doesn't even have LE's on the floor - they have Pros, then Tor o for the lower cost models, and the full line of Simplicity.  Maybe they're punishing Ariens because the LE is being sold at Home Depot . HD seems to charge the charges the same price, for the most part, but most of them seem to do a poor job of assembly and refer you to a local dealer for service anyway.

Either model is an excellent machine.

The new Sears/Craftsman and equivalent Husqvarna/Poulan models (All are AYP/Electrolux) have Hydrostatic transmissions AND Differential Lock-Out Traction Control.

Craftsman calls it:
Auto/Hydro trasmission
Power steering

Husqvarna calls it:
Differential lock-out
Infinite speed drive with ”Creeper” speed

How long have you owned your Craftsman?

I don't own it. In fact, I'm looking to buy a Toro. The Craftsman's controls are way to stiff for my liking. Cheers, Sabesh.

sabesh wrote:

Actually there are  really  no differentials used in the Husqvarna and the Husqvarna  built Craftsman snow blowers.     There is a solid , one piece axle that connects the wheels together, however on each end   of this axle, just before it goes into a wheel,  is a clutch   operated   by  individual trigger controls.  The  drive is true 2 wheel drive , except when a trigger is squeezed
which releases the power to that wheel  for turning either gradually or a zero turn.    As you say, Craftsman calles it power steering.   Husqvarna calls it differential lockout, even though there is no actual differential in the drive train.

THe hydrostatic transmission is built by Hydro Gear,  the largest manufacturer of hydrostatic transmissions and transaxles ,and is the same in the Husqvarna and the Husqvarna built Craftsman models 

That's ariens deluxe and honda is a weird two blowers to be torn between considering the Honda is in a whole nother price and performance class. Honda easily takes this matchup.
I would go with the honda over the ariens pro as well, without even batting an eye. Easy decision.

FWIW - This thread is over 5 years old.......Not sure if the OP is still in the decision mode???

I didn't look at the date of the op, I should have though because there has been a ton of ancient threads bumped here lately.

One man's crusade to discuss ancient threads that has anything to do with Husqvarnia, hydrostatic, and Craftsman.