if you can live with either width, 28” will allow you to consider the ariens professional line vs the platinum line, i chose these two lines in my example as this is where i was in 2023…i could not entertain a 28” machine or i would have hands down gone with the pro28. the pro28 offers 420cc vs 369cc power, an almost 15% increase at an additional $500/$600, spread that over the life of an ariens and it is an easy pill to swallow…good luck with your decision.

 

I was told there are some distinct differences for the insides of BOTH. I was warned to stay away from the Box stores .Can you or anyone elaborate?

 

i too have always heard that big box customers can dictate to manufacturers target costs and with that quality, i suppose that is true, i also understand that dealers provide preferential treatment to their customers when servicing units, i suppose that too is true. i purchased my platinum sho24 from an authorized ariens dealer but have not yet needed to experience their service.
the only other difference when comparing the two machines on the ariens site is that the pro28 has a taller bucket and auger diameter at 16” (+2”) but with the same 14” impeller, machine weight us also different, the pro 28 is much heavier than the platinum sho24.

 

id vote for a plat24.. 369cc atop a 24in wide bucket will have the power for whatever.. all while being easy to move around.. now.. how big an area you clear.. could also play a role.. get yourself down to the closest ariens dealer.. and see which bucket you prefer lugging around.. that pro28 will be heavier to change direction.. a delux 28sho would also be in my radar.. as personally.. a pro28 is just more than i would wanna swing... but if its in your means.. and that heavier bucket doesnt bother you ( if your downsizing your current.. mayeb it is?) id go with that! lol

 

I use a 200cc 20", and electric single stage exclusively for past few years. Haven't even had enough snow to even justify a big motor machine. Location, and weather pattern are the #1 determinate of blower size in my book, I do not buy into the "get the biggest machine you'll ever need" school. In fact, 30 years of experience has taught me that what most people need is the smallest machine that will still get them through 15" slowly. It ends up being a far more pleasant experience for 95% of snow events where it's only 3-4", and faster too.

 

New guy and first time snowblower user. Given that, I realize that I have almost zero credibility here. That said I will share my first experience.

After much research I decided that the Deluxe 24 would be perfect for me. I live in the neighborhood cul-de-sac and would be doing mostly driveways and sidewalks. While shopping stumbled across a deal on a Deluxe 28 that I could not pass up so I bought it. Used for the first time last. I am 62 and healthy (former wrestler). I found that the Deluxe 28 took quite a bit of man handling. I realize that I am new and clumsy. My technique will get better with each use.

I was impressed with it's power but it did not handle the wet slushy stuff at the end of the driveway. It almost clogged on me twice but didn't. Could have been my inexperience. I intend on (already ordered) installing an impeller kit. Hand warmers would have been nice since it was 18 degrees. If I were doing simple straight lines the 28 was great. I have a somewhat of a crowded garage. After my first use in my environment I am thinking that the Platinum 24 SHO might have been a better choice. Time will tell. Just my humble opinion. Get one with hand warmers and the biggest engine they make...like the Professional 28. If you want to go a lot smaller the Platinum 24 SHO would be my objective. I will find one.

 

The Deluxe 24 with the 250cc engine will do you well and very maneuverable too.

 

HillnGullyRider wrote: I do not buy into the "get the biggest machine you'll ever need" school.
That may apply the majority of the time but in my experience using toro 521 and 622 machines [which served me well the majority of times] several times, most often in March, when a considerable depth [8”+] fell, these small toro machines still came through for me EXCEPT along the 80 foot curb line… the municipal plowed ridge, already soft and heavy being March with added road salt to further add to the slush factor, became too much for the little toros to handle. I finally upgraded to the platinum sho24. while in only my second year of use i have not yet duplicated what is described above, i have the utmost confidence that my ariens will get the job done effortlessly. since i am a one machine owner, i want the most robust machine i can have to be ready for anything.
i am not saying that there is a right or wrong answer, just pointing-out machine selection from my perspective.

 

My 20" is 2 stage and I've never stalled it on any 15" berm, plus I've had it through grey snow plow piles taller than the handlebars, granted it takes 3 times as long as a pro model, but it still digs you out......unfortunately they no longer make that model. So a good 24" is what most flatlanders, with smaller suburban driveways, need. Wide and heavy is good for longer rural with 10+" frequently, but becomes less than ideal to dig out of storage for light snowfall on short driveways, requires significantly more storage space, and is more difficult and costly to keep maintained.