The most important difference is that the Pro 28 has a 249CC engine to drive the 220lb machine and blow snow. Once you go up to at least the 30" the engine are either 287CC or 305CC which will greatly improves the power needed to move heavy wet snow and break through the banking at the end of the street. Also look at the height of the auger. alot of the less expensive ones have only 14" tall augers versus the Honda's 20" with the ice breaking design. If you have an incline or a long driveway then the tractor tread design is better than tires and chains and have the ability to scrape the driveway by the foot pedal height design instead of the side skids. Check out Honda 928TA.
The PRO 28 and 32 are much beefier. 16" augers, and 342cc's; cast iron gearboxes and around 300 pounds, yet pretty nimble.
You're quoting the deluxe or platinum lines. But if I were in the 32's price range, I'd look into the Honda's. Still think the wheeled version would be my preference but the hydro is appealing instead of feathering a friction disc drive for the truly heavy areas. Everything is a trade off. No such thing as a perfect machine.
2011 Ariens Pro 28; Toro 210R, older Powerlite and a generic single stage w/ Tec. engine.
God Bless America!
