[chargin]

Too bad, anyone has experience with the platinum 24 SHO or the somewhat equivalent Toro? I'm also considering Husqvarna since they have the same engine as the Ariens.

My neighbor has a Platinum 24 SHO

It does live up to it's name when it comes to throwing snow.

It has been in the shop several times for various issues though.

He has to refill gas tank to complete his driveway which is kind of big, but he did not have to do that with his previous blower.
I don't know if they are still putting the same size tank on there or if they now put a larger tank on it.

 

[Huntergreen]

I was in the same situation. My toro 824 XL , 20 years old, has preformed and still works well. It always struggled with the end of drivewa monster, so I recently bought the platinum 24 sho hoping the larger engine will go through faster. So far, no snow so I can't give a review.

 

[Shovel]

Either machine should be fine..I would consider dealer location in my choice.
If both have dealers close then its whichever one you like the best...do you need additional throwing distance due to alot of snowfall and run out of room to put it?..then I would lean towards the ariens SHO..that extra throwing distance takes alot of extra power..something to consider. ..If not lean toward the toros..people really like either machine.
The newer toros seem to handle slush rather well...for some reason they seem less apt to clog with slush as a side bonus...the engines run a slower rpm that the ariens which contributes to a longer engine life


Sent from my SM-A115U1 using Tapatalk

 

[140278]

when my late partners and i ran the ope shop we sold both toro and husky, i'm sorry to say we did more work on the huskys than the toro's

 

[GoBlowSnow]

I truly believe the 24SHO will be the best bang for the buck and provide the best long term reliability. Toro is a fine machine, but I feel like I am supporting a genuine family owned business and great people there in Wisconsin when I buy Ariens, and they've been building snowblowers longer than anyone else. Great customer service when I need to order parts from them, and what not. I've not had a 24 SHO but I have had a 28 SHO and loved it.

 

[Kiss4aFrog]

Welcome to SBF Deault

Too bad, anyone has experience with the platinum 24 SHO or the somewhat equivalent Toro? I'm also considering Husqvarna since they have the same engine as the Ariens.

Since it is a 5 year old thread and you are changing the question from the topic of generic "Toro vs Ariens" to now a specific Ariens and toss in a Husky you would be better served by starting your own thread instead of trying to revive this one.
Well more like hijacking. 😕

.

 

[Deault]

My apologies, but I didn't toss in the Husky, those are not in Canada. Nonetheless you're right, all I wanted was feedback after many years from the original poster, see if the machine held up after years of use, bbut I've already moved on to other threads on the topic.

 

[don7]

I can give an update here, I have an Sho Platinum 24 EFI purchased Dec 2016 -- one more year on $99 5yr extended warranty. No issues so far, it started on first pull tonight actually. I do start it a couple times in the off season though. But no battery issues or engine problems. Looks and runs like new so far (as it should since I use it < 10 times a season and take care of it lol).

The power vs chute width ratio is welcome and the reason so bought it. My parents have a long drive with houses on either side -- so I can throw snow straight ahead and re-throw it no problem to work the snow down the driveway. My old ariens was not as responsive to load changes whereas this one doesn't skip a beat when it hits the heavy stuff. No rust (that I've seen at least...). I do touch up rock damage in in chute/bucket with ariens touch up paint at end of season when I change the oil and give it a once over. I've also pulled bottom cover and all looked good.

No auto-turn issues for me. I have the polymer skids (I never tried metal actually, they may be fine) and concrete drives. I blow the grass for our small dog and it actually handles the grass just fine -- granted nothing like on concrete, but very manageable

Complaints:

• speed control dial was too easy to turn for my liking, I added a rubber gasket under knob to add some friction.
• wish it had led light instead of halogen (switch would be nice too). Doesn't bother me enough to I monkey with it though
• I'd take a bigger gas tank. I can do two houses. Guessing 1.5hrs run time? Usually takes me an hour total to do two houses. I guess it's fine, but I just need to fill every time I use it.
• I had rust coming from rear axle early on. I cleaned up and added anti-seize and it's been fine for two seasons now.
• rubber sleeves on clutch levers can slide off -- I've been meaning to add a bit of polyurethane glue or pull them off.

That's about it, so far so good

 

[don7]

Actually on the topic of longevity -- I had an Ariens 20" 5hp auger propelled 2 stage from ~2000 (big spoked skinny wheels). That one still runs great (I gave it to family). I also had a single stage ariens 7hp I believe...last I heard if ran fine as well. I never really liked that one though. It never went straight, didn't throw great. The Toros seem to have mastered the single stages. Or so it seem watching neighbors.

In general I think snow blowers are going to last quite a while just because they get so little use -- at least in the Midwest.

 

[foggysail]

I can give an update here, I have an Sho Platinum 24 EFI purchased Dec 2016 -- one more year on $99 5yr extended warranty. No issues so far, it started on first pull tonight actually. I do start it a couple times in the off season though. But no battery issues or engine problems. Looks and runs like new so far (as it should since I use it < 10 times a season and take care of it lol).

The power vs chute width ratio is welcome and the reason so bought it. My parents have a long drive with houses on either side -- so I can throw snow straight ahead and re-throw it no problem to work the snow down the driveway. My old ariens was not as responsive to load changes whereas this one doesn't skip a beat when it hits the heavy stuff. No rust (that I've seen at least...). I do touch up rock damage in in chute/bucket with ariens touch up paint at end of season when I change the oil and give it a once over. I've also pulled bottom cover and all looked good.

No auto-turn issues for me. I have the polymer skids (I never tried metal actually, they may be fine) and concrete drives. I blow the grass for our small dog and it actually handles the grass just fine -- granted nothing like on concrete, but very manageable

Complaints:

• speed control dial was too easy to turn for my liking, I added a rubber gasket under knob to add some friction.
• wish it had led light instead of halogen (switch would be nice too). Doesn't bother me enough to I monkey with it though
• I'd take a bigger gas tank. I can do two houses. Guessing 1.5hrs run time? Usually takes me an hour total to do two houses. I guess it's fine, but I just need to fill every time I use it.
• I had rust coming from rear axle early on. I cleaned up and added anti-seize and it's been fine for two seasons now.
• rubber sleeves on clutch levers can slide off -- I've been meaning to add a bit of polyurethane glue or pull them off.

That's about it, so far so good

If I searched for bitches about my Ariens 28 Pro.....................it would be the puny fuel tank!!! The 420cc engine does every thing required including swallowing fuel.