For over 60 years, Ariens has been one of the most trusted names in snow blowers, offering quality American-made machines at a fair price. What began as a small operation producing under 2,000 units a year has bloomed into a massive operation that’s produced well over four million snowblowers.
As Ariens has grown, so has their product line. Today, we’re going to take a look at the Ariens Deluxe 28 vs 28 SHO to see how these two popular snow blowers stack up against each other to help you choose the best one for your needs.
Which Is Best Ariens Deluxe 28 vs 28 SHO
The Ariens Deluxe line of snowblowers is revered as some of the market’s best machines. When Mother Nature decides to drop mountains of snow in your neighborhood, both the Deluxe and the Deluxe SHO will be able to make quick work of your plowing. Still, depending on your needs, you’ll find one is a better fit for you than the other.
The Deluxe 28 is a proven performer with quality components and premium features that most other snow blowers in this price range.
The Deluxe 28 offers a 254cc Ariens CC engine with their proprietary Disc-o-Matic drive system, which provides eight speeds in total (6 forward, 2 reverse). With its large engine, wide clearing path, and heavy-duty steel auger and impeller, the Deluxe 28 chomps down an impressive 65 tons of snow every hour, and it can throw snow as far as 50 feet.
Beyond all the power, it’s an easy machine to use. Convenient features like electric start, remote control, auto-turn axel system, and LED headlight make the Deluxe 28 a pleasure to use, whether it’s the early morning or the dead of night.
The Deluxe 28 is arguably the best snow blower on the market for regions that receive 50-100 inches of snow each year.
The SHO model is another edition of the Deluxe 28, and as such, they share almost identical specs and features. The only differences between the two are their engines, and by extension, the amount of snow they’re able to clear per hour.
The SHO’s 306cc engine is about 15% larger and more powerful than the Deluxe 28. It clears a whopping 72 tons per hour, and it also offers a bit longer throw, with a max of 55 feet. The SHO is best for locales that regularly receive 100 inches of snow or more every winter and places with heavy, wet snow.
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Ariens Model Comparison
Here’s how these two Deluxe models stack up against each other side by side.
Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO
- Power Type: Gas
- Engine Size: 15 ft/lbs
- Propulsion: Disc-o-Matic
- Number of Gears: 6 forward, 2 reverse
- Clearing Height: 21”
- Clearing Width: 28”
- Throwing Distance: >55 feet
- Snow Clearance: 72 tons/hr
- Tires: 16” Directional Snow Tread
- Chute Turning Radius: 200°
- Chute Control: In-Dash Lever
- Headlights: LED
- Heated Handle: Optional
- Cup Holder: Optional
Ariens Deluxe 28
- Power Type: Gas
- Engine Size: 12.5 ft/lbs
- Propulsion: Disc-o-Matic
- Number of Gears: 6 forward, 2 reverse
- Clearing Height: 21”
- Clearing Width: 28”
- Throwing Distance: >50 feet
- Snow Clearance: 65 tons/hr
- Tires: 16” Directional Snow Tread
- Chute Turning Radius: 200°
- Chute Control: In-Dash Lever
- Headlights: LED
- Heated Handle: Optional
- Cup Holder: Optional
Chassis Build Quality
The build quality on Ariens snowblowers is what sets them apart from most of the competition, and that’s evident when you examine the chassis of these two snow blowers. The Deluxe 28 and SHO model feature a high gauge steel chassis that’s finished with a durable powder coat.
Great care is taken in the factory during the chassis assembly, and all of the different components feel rock solid and dependable.
Size
Even though the SHO model has a larger engine, both machines are identical in size. Whether you opt for the SHO model or the Deluxe 28, they’re 58.6” long, 29.9” wide, and 45.3” tall.
Weight
Ariens produces heavy-duty snowblowers that can stand up to anything the elements dish out. As you’d imagine, they’re pretty heavy. The Deluxe 28 comes in at 249.8 pounds, while the SHO model, with its slightly larger engine, tips the scales at 267.5 pounds.
Are Ariens Reliable Snowblowers?
As a family-owned company in business since 1933, Ariens has built a sterling reputation for reliability, ease of use, and service. Here’s what you can expect from an Ariens snowblower.
Maintenance
Ariens snow blowers are notoriously easy to maintain, and virtually all of the machine’s wear parts are easy to access for repair or replacement.
Regular snowblower maintenance is essential to preserving the effectiveness of the machine. Keeping up with basic maintenance necessities should keep your Ariens snowblower running in top shape for a generation.
Warranty
Both the Deluxe 28 and 28 SHO come with a solid warranty of three years with a five-year warranty on the gearbox. One thing worth noting is the warranty shrinks dramatically for commercial users. If you’re using the machine as part of your business, the warranty drops to 90 days with a one-year warranty on the gearbox.
After Sales Customer Support
Ariens does a reasonably good job on the support front. You’ll find a robust library of FAQs and manuals for all their products on their website. You can also contact them through their website for questions you need answering.
Ariens tries to push the bulk of their after-sales support off to their dealer network. While most Ariens dealers provide exemplary service and can assist you with any issue you’re having, it would be nice if they handled more of their after-sales support in-house.
Verdict: Ariens Deluxe 28 Vs. 28 SHO Snowblower
When it comes to the Ariens Deluxe 28 vs. 28 SHO snowblower, both these machines are proven performers that can reliably handle anything Mother Nature dishes out. While the 28 SHO offers a larger engine with slightly more power, it doesn’t feel necessary given how well the Deluxe 28 performs.
Best Ariens Snow Blower
Ariens Deluxe 28-inch Snowblower
If you’re dealing with especially harsh winters and you need to clear 100+ inches of snow every year, it will probably be worth it to spend the extra money for the SHO model. Otherwise, the Ariens Deluxe 28 is the perfect snowblower for 99% of the time.
The Deluxe 28 is arguably the best snow blower on the market for regions that receive 50-100 inches of snow each year.
