I bought my Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO 6 years (100+ hours of use) ago and it has been an exceptional machine for the price. We live in the snow belt (average annual snow fall of 130"), and have a 250' U shaped driveway, it has handled big snowfalls, wet snow and 3+ feet EOD piles. It has been trouble free and the Auto Turn steering is fantastic.
IMHO the Deluxe 28 SHO is one of the best bang for your $ machine on the market.
I think you know which machine I would choose, if the machine checks out after an in person inspection.

 

I bought my Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO 6 years (100+ hours of use) ago and it has been an exceptional machine for the price. We live in the snow belt (average annual snow fall of 130"), and have a 250' U shaped driveway, it has handled big snowfalls, wet snow and 3+ feet EOD piles. It has been trouble free and the Auto Turn steering is fantastic.
IMHO the Deluxe 28 SHO is one of the best bang for your $ machine on the market.
I think you know which machine I would choose, if the machine checks out after an in person inspection.

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Wow - now that's a lot of snow! I use my 2007 Polaris Sportsman 800 ATV/Plow for the bulk of my snow cleanup but have a few long sidewalks and a large patio I use a snowblower to clear. I'm looking forward to the new to me Ariens as if it'll handle what you pictured - it'll handle what we typically get here southeastern Wisconsin. Last year was pretty slim for snow but you just never know when a big storm will hit. Thanks for the pics. Here's a few pics of my circular driveway. At 67, I find that what was once fun speeding around the driveway on my ATV has become not so much fun....lol. Funny how that happens!

 

28 sho by alot
best blower for the money period
put an impeller kit on it free to 30 bucks
change the gov spring to highest rpm hole
It will out blow anything new that cost 3500 bucks or less

 

Appreciate the comments. The fellow accepted my $700 offer and I'm picking it up Thursday. I forgot to mention that the fellow had the dealer install the optional Ariens heated grips before he brought it home. Now to try to sell my Toro. Seeing as I'm upgrading to a better unit for $700 I'm thinking of asking $400 for my Toro. Any opinion on that price - high/low? It's in showroom condition - I clean all my stuff after each use and armor-all and lube appropriate parts while I'm having a few cold ones in my garage at night. Thanks again for the input.

 

Sounds like you did well for a 2 year old machine.
Post some pics when you get the machine home.

I would hold off selling it until the fall, when demand and prices will be higher.

What did you pay for the machine new 6 years ago? What does that model sell for now?
What are sellers asking for similar used Toro machines in your area?
You should be able to get more than $400.00 this fall/winter for a mint condition 6 year old machine IMHO.

 

These machines have minimal lube from the factory.
Before next winter I would suggest performing the recommended annual maintenance and lubrication as outlined in the owners manual as well as an oil change.
Something not covered in the manual is greasing the inner right axle stub, which is covered in the video below.

Owners manual and service manual attached, if you did not get one with the machine:

 

You'll be happy with the SHO.

 

Picked up my blower today. Sounds great and everything seems fine. The muffler and a few other parts look a bit weathered but I’ll see what I can do to get them up to snuff. Not sure if it is 2 or 3 years old - he told me 2 on the messages but in person said it may be 3. Called Ariens when I got home but they were closed for the day.

 

Not sure if it is 2 or 3 years old

The manual for that model/serial number is copyright 10/2020; probably within a few months, since it covers S/N 180000+.

 

I have noticed that most new ariens machines seem to come with very narrow tires. I understand that they should be better than the older wide tires, but are they really !

 

I have noticed that most new aliens machines seem to come with very narrow tires. I understand that they should be better than the older wide tires, but are they really !

yes they are more down force
rollout is better

 

Wow, the picture of your property looks like a Thomas Kinkaid portrait. I'd say keep your older machine until the fall for top price. Toro machines are really dependable machines. You should ask high top price for a well-maintained machine.

 

While my 28 Deluxe is not an SHO model, it now sports a 14hp Predator engine and means business in heavy snow. Nothing stops this bad boy. It's kind of my homemade SHO.