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

I am trying to decide between th Ariens Delux 24 or 27. The only reason I am considering the 27 is because it has the trigger to unlock one wheel for easy turning. As I understand it with the 24", people make one of two choices when using it, either both wheels locked, or one unlocked. My questions is: 1. When using the 24" with wheels locked, is turning 180" at the end of a sidewalk, or cleaning the EOD very difficult? I'm 50 now, will I be able to do it at 75? 2. When using the 24" with one wheel unlocked, does it take a lot of effort to keep it running straight? Can you take one hand off the handles to turn the chute, or will it pull too hard? 3. Is it worth going to the Delux 27to get the better handling of the remote wheel lock/unlock feature? Any advice is appreciated.

I have an Ariens with the trigger lock and I love the feature.  It's a few years old, the 11.5hp 28" model.  Before this one I had a 5hp 24" Ariens.  The 24 inch machine was light enough to maneuver with both wheels always locked but it lacked the weight to get thru end of driveway snow.  The lager machine handles anything but because of it's weight I would really struggle to maneuver it without the trigger lock-unlock feature.

Thanks for the responses. These responses,together with some additional late night reviewing of this site, has helped me decide to go with the delux 27 model. I was actually considering the 24 platinum model, but could not justify the extra cost.