Head-to-head · Best Snow Blowers

Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO vs Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2890

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.5). Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO is best for: users needing high-performance snow removal in heavy conditions. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Snow Blowers

Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO

4.6

1 sourceall derived

The Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO is a high-capacity, durable walk-behind snow blower with a powerful 306 cc engine that throws snow effectively in various conditions. Its Auto-Turn steering system makes maneuvering easy, though it takes some time to get used to. The machine offers good traction and a robust chute control mechanism. While the first gear is faster than typical models and the chute rotation requires reaching over the dash, the snow blower provides excellent value for its price point. It's best suited for users who need reliable performance in heavy or wet snow conditions.

Strengths

— Auto-Turn (automatic) steering is easy to use and makes turning simple
— High-capacity snow blower built to last with no premium gimmicks

Watch-outs

— First gear is faster than most, requiring adjustment period for users

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Ranked #4 in Best Snow Blowers

Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2890

4.5

1 source

A 28-inch two-stage gas snow blower that runs on tracks instead of wheels. Bob Vila tested it against nine other snow blowers on a loose-gravel driveway in Montana, rated it 9.6/10 and named it the top pick for gravel, citing its traction and its lever-adjusted blade height. Troy-Bilt lists it at $2,129.00.

Strengths

— Tracks did not spin on loose gravel or ice in Bob Vila's side-by-side test
— Trigger-controlled Touch N' Turn steering
— Electric start fired immediately in Bob Vila's test

Watch-outs

— Some assembly needed: handle bolts and chute, and possibly the throttle and chute cables
— The engine will not start unless the key is fully inserted, which Bob Vila notes is easy to forget
— Gas engine needs oil changes and tune-ups

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Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO

The Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO shares a 28-inch clearing width with the Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2890 and has a 306 cc engine against the Troy-Bilt's 272cc. Both are gas two-stage machines, and the Troy-Bilt runs on a track drive. The Ariens is four inches wider than the Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE and the battery-powered EGO Power+ Cordless 2-Stage Snow Blower, and at 267.5 lbs it weighs more than twice the Toro's 125 lbs.

Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2890

It matches the 28-inch clearing width of the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO on this page but uses a track drive, and its 272cc engine is smaller than the Ariens's 306cc. The Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE and EGO Power+ 2-stage are both 24-inch machines, and the EGO is battery powered where the Troy-Bilt is gas.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO	Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2890
Model	921072	31AH7FP4B66
Clearing Width	28 in	28 in
Engine	306 cc	272cc Troy-Bilt, recoil and push-button electric start
Power Source	Gas	Gas
Type	Two-Stage	Two-Stage
Drive	Disc-O-Matic	Track drive, friction disc, 6 forward / 2 reverse speeds
Weight	267.5 lbs.	—
Intake Height	—	20 in
Steering	—	Touch N' Turn trigger-controlled
Chute	—	High-impact polymer, 200° rotation, remote overhead crank
Warranty	—	3-year limited residential

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