Ariens Platinum 30 SHO (30") 414cc Two-Stage Snow Blower

We ordered this machine on a Tuesday and it was delivered to our driveway three days later! Uncrated it, was delighted to see all parts right there on the machine (not in a separate bag!) ready for setting up. Diagram (no narrative) instructions are not great, but I could do steps one and two and my techy son did the last three.

Took about an hour. The next day, ten inches of snow fell and I fired up the machine. It is easy to handle,blows snow like crazy and what's not to like? But nothing is perfect, right? So I ask the designers why the main chute is mechanically controlled but the top (deflector) is powered? By the way, you can skip the added cost of tire chains. This thing has plenty of traction--even uphill. This is a dandy machine!

We ordered this machine on a Tuesday and it was delivered to our driveway three days later! Uncrated it, was delighted to see all parts right there on the machine (not in a separate bag!) ready for setting up. Diagram (no narrative) instructions are not great, but I could do steps one and two and my techy son did the last three.

Took about an hour. The next day, ten inches of snow fell and I fired up the machine. It is easy to handle,blows snow like crazy and what's not to like? But... more

only used the snow blower a couple of times but has worked great so far. my only 2 complaints I have are:

1 - Hand control warmer button gets bumped and turns off. it should have a covered switch or relocate the switch so it doesn't turn off. 2 - The snow chute gets stuck in the far left or far right position. need to use both hands to change the direction of the shooting snow.

One hand to work the controls & one hand to hit the deflector to get it to move. My only other complaints are with the people that sold me the snow blower. Snow Blowers Direct offers free shipping on their snow blowers, I thought the extra small shear bolts I bought would easily fit in the snow blower box and shipped free.

They were shipped in a separate box and ended up paying over $13 in shipping for something that should have been shipped with the blower. The sales persons didn't know how to handle the free interest they offer. kept being put on hold for long periods while they where trying to figure the procedure for free financing with the banking institution they used.

only used the snow blower a couple of times but has worked great so far. my only 2 complaints I have are:

1 - Hand control warmer button gets bumped and turns off. it should have a covered switch or relocate the switch so it doesn't turn off. 2 - The snow chute gets stuck in the far left or far right position. need to use both hands to change the direction of the shooting snow.

One hand to work the controls & one hand to hit the deflector to get it to move. My only other complaints... more

Used it in two snow falls in Michigan so far. First one about 12 inches of medium weight snow. Did 10 driveways and the sidewalks in our neighborhood. I was just getting used to the operating controls but was impressed by the power.

Second snow fall was more ice but about six inches of snow. Same 10 driveways and sidewalks. Really handled the ice well. The machine is more expensive, but worth it. Fast, strong, powerful and easy to control. Starts easy too.

I ordered this 30" machine, with the largest engine possible, in December 2016 following two significant snow events in northwest Wyoming -- we had 24" followed shortly after by another 12". The well below-zero temperatures combined with 50-60 mph winds created enormous 4-6 ft drifts in places that required a 40000-lb front-end loader to clear.

This created huge mounds on the sides that acted like snow fences whenever the wind blew, which filled in the roadway again with 4-ft drifts. I would try and clear the road with a quad plow, but often got stuck. Even when I eventually got through, the plow just shoved the snow to the side causing the road to narrow even more. I needed a way to throw the snow out of the road.

That's where this beast came in. It probably took me 2 hours to put together, and yes, the picture instructions aren't the best, but ultimately no big deal. I was glad to see it came filled with engine oil, so I didn't have to mess with that. I was surprised when it started on the first pull. I put it to work immediately clearing 3-4 ft drifts along the road the quad plow couldn't manage. I loved seeing the machine throw 30-ft snow plume out of the road.

With this much snow, I had to manhandle the machine to keep it going as the wheels spun on top of some snow-packed spots, but I managed fine (and since have ordered chains). I had to make several passes to dig down through the drifts -- the machine, and myself were completely covered in powder snow. My only complaint is the gas tank is rather small and I had to stop every 30-45 minutes (??) to refill, and gas goes everywhere - but so what.

Much rather fill a gas tank than be laid up in bed with a sore back. This is a serious machine and takes care of business -- it was the perfect application for me. I am impressed with the engine, and have had no problems with anything mechanical after 10-12 hours of use. Oh, and I have a gravel road and the machine throws a lot of small rocks, etc, but have not had any problems yet with jamming the auger. The machine comes with 2 extra shear pins, but I bought 6 extra just to have on hand. So far so good.

I ordered this 30" machine, with the largest engine possible, in December 2016 following two significant snow events in northwest Wyoming -- we had 24" followed shortly after by another 12". The well below-zero temperatures combined with 50-60 mph winds created enormous 4-6 ft drifts in places that required a 40000-lb front-end loader to clear.

This created huge mounds on the sides that acted like snow fences whenever the wind blew, which filled in the roadway again with... more

Used it for the first time yesterday, the snow was wet and a little heavy, it worked pretty good so far, and my drive way is fairly large, but it is pulling to the left a little - have to check air in the tires to see if that will fix it.

This is my 1st snow blower I ever had and ever used in my life and I'm in my mid 60's, lets see how things go.

March 14,16 2017 After 2 days of snow with a total of 30" I love this machine. I cleared my driveway and walkway 3 times to keep ahead of the total. This Ariens really can throw show a long distance. Hand warmers work great when temp was 15 with wind chill of -3. Engine power increases automatically when needed. Like the pile at the end of driveway after the snow plow goes down the street. Power increases pile gone.

This blower is a good machine. It starts quickly, even in cold weather. The electric start is great. The manual start works fine, especially after the engine is warm. The blower works great in powdery snow. It does clog once the snow is warmer and starting to compact into slushy snow.

It is not too difficult to clear, but it is a nuisance. I suspect this is true of all snow blowers in slushy cold snow. The machine was easy to assemble and get adjusted but it did take some time. All in all, I like the machine and am happy I purchased it.

This blower is a good machine. It starts quickly, even in cold weather. The electric start is great. The manual start works fine, especially after the engine is warm. The blower works great in powdery snow. It does clog once the snow is warmer and starting to compact into slushy snow.

It is not too difficult to clear, but it is a nuisance. I suspect this is true of all snow blowers in slushy cold snow. The machine was easy to assemble and get adjusted but it did take some time. All in... more

This snow blower has lived up to its name. Haven't had very much snow far, but for what snow we have had, it started on the first pull and went right through. Even plowed right through what the city snow plow stacked on my driveway. Have had no problems.

I've had this about a week. It arrived in a crated box. There was minor damage to the chute angle cable (cracked sheath) but otherwise good. Setup was easy. It started right up although I haven't had a chance to use it yet. Waiting for more snow!

I have Ariens self propelled and zero turn mowers and have always been impressed with their quality.

The snow blower arrived the week after Christmas. It was delivered in a large box on a palette. I paid for the lift gate service and the driver wheeled the box from the truck into my garage. I don't know if that is part of the service, but it was greatly appreciated since the box is too large and heavy to move.

Some assembly is required to attach the chute, skid plates, and cable controls. The assembly instructions were extremely frustrating since they consist solely of pictures with no text. For $1,800 they could have and should have put more effort into writing the assembly instructions. I was not able to keep the discharge chute in place and I contacted Ariens with that question.

Their response was to email me a copy of the same unhelpful drawing that was in the assembly instructions. We have had one measurable snow fall and the Ariens handled it easily. The hand warmers were a very nice improvement over my last snow blower.

The snow blower arrived the week after Christmas. It was delivered in a large box on a palette. I paid for the lift gate service and the driver wheeled the box from the truck into my garage. I don't know if that is part of the service, but it was greatly appreciated since the box is too large and heavy to move.

Some assembly is required to attach the chute, skid plates, and cable controls. The assembly instructions were extremely frustrating since they consist solely of pictures with no... more

The only disclaimer is that I haven't been able to use this yet!! (Insurance that it doesn't snow...)

Great quality construction, easy enough to put together, but I know what others mean by the instructions aren't the best. It started first pull, even though it has electric start. The auto turn feature is awesome - you just need to let it work for you.

Pricing and delivery by PED was excellent.

"Looking forward" to the snow.