You've seen them in the driveways of that one neighbor who always seems to finish clearing their snow three times faster than everyone else. It’s usually orange. It’s definitely loud. And if it has that specific "SHO" badge on the side, it’s basically the monster truck of the suburban winter.
The Ariens Platinum 24 SHO is a weird beast. Most people look at a 24-inch snowblower and think "entry-level." They assume it’s for small walkways or maybe a dusting of powder in a mild climate.
They are wrong.
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This isn't a "compact" machine in anything but width. It is a high-performance, oversized engine strapped to a narrow bucket, designed for people who have limited storage space but get absolutely hammered by heavy, wet "heart attack" snow. Honestly, it's kind of overkill for a three-car driveway in Virginia, but if you’re in the Lake Erie snow belt or the high Rockies, it’s a literal lifesaver.
The SHO Secret: It’s All About the Impeller
When you see "SHO," it stands for Super High Output. But what does that actually mean? It isn't just a marketing sticker.
In a standard snowblower, the impeller—the fan-like part that actually flings the snow out of the chute—spins at a set speed determined by the pulley ratio. On the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO, Ariens modified those pulleys and belts to make that impeller spin significantly faster than their Deluxe or Classic models.
Why the speed matters
- Throwing Distance: We are talking up to 55 feet. If you have a wide driveway and a standard blower, you end up throwing the same snow twice. The SHO clears the whole width in one go.
- Handling the Slush: Fast impellers don't clog as easily. When the snow is basically 90% water and looks like mashed potatoes, a slow impeller just turns it into a plug. The SHO centrifugal force is high enough to whip it out before it sticks.
- Tonnage: This 24-inch machine is rated to move about 73 tons of snow per hour. For context, some 28-inch blowers from other brands move less.
A Massive Engine in a Small Frame
Most 24-inch snowblowers come with a 200cc or maybe a 250cc engine. The Platinum 24 SHO features the Ariens AX 369cc engine.
Think about that for a second.
It’s the same engine they put on much larger 30-inch machines. Because the bucket is narrower, the engine doesn't "feel" the load as much. You can bury this thing in a two-foot drift at the end of your driveway—the kind the city plow leaves to ruin your morning—and the engine won't even bog down. It just eats.
The torque is rated at 15 lbs-ft, which is plenty for anything short of a glacier. I’ve seen people on forums like Reddit’s r/Snowblowers argue that the EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) version is better for high altitudes, and they aren't wrong. If you live at 7,000 feet, get the EFI. But for most of us, the standard carbureted AX369 is a tank. It starts in one or two pulls, even when it's -10°F outside.
Auto-Turn and the "Light Front End" Debate
Let’s talk about the steering. Ariens uses a technology called Auto-Turn.
There are no triggers to squeeze. No levers. You just turn the handles, and the internal gears sense the change in direction and unlock one wheel. It makes a 280-pound machine feel like it weighs 50.
But there’s a trade-off.
Because the engine is so heavy and sits back toward the handles, the front "bucket" can feel a little light. Some users complain that when they hit a hard-packed drift, the front of the machine wants to ride up over the snow instead of digging in.
"I ended up buying the front weight kit for mine," says one owner on a popular equipment forum. "It’s just a piece of steel you bolt to the housing, but it keeps the scraper bar glued to the pavement."
If you have a gravel driveway, the light front end is actually a blessing. It won't dig in and hurl rocks into your neighbor's window. If you have smooth asphalt and want that "scraped clean" look, you might need to lean into it a little or grab those optional weights.
Small Luxuries That Aren't Just for Show
The Platinum series is Ariens' "luxury" tier before you get into the true commercial Professional units. You get heated handgrips as standard.
Are they necessary? No. You’re wearing gloves.
Are they amazing? Absolutely.
After 45 minutes in a blizzard, that warmth seeping through your mittens prevents your fingers from turning into icicles.
You also get the Quick-Turn chute control. Instead of cranking a handle twenty times like you’re starting an old Model T, you just flick a lever. It rotates the chute 200 degrees in about a second. It’s one of those things you don't think you need until you use a machine without it and realize how much time you’re wasting.
Comparison: Platinum 24 vs. Deluxe 28
This is the big dilemma for most buyers. The price point is often similar.
The Deluxe 28 SHO is wider, so you finish the "open" parts of your driveway faster. But it has a smaller engine (306cc) than the Platinum 24.
If you have a massive, flat suburban lot with light snow, get the 28. If you have a cramped driveway, limited garage space, or you deal with heavy, icy lake-effect snow, the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO is the superior choice. It’s more maneuverable. It’s easier to store. And it has more "grunt" per inch of clearing width.
Maintenance: Don't Kill Your Investment
These machines cost north of $2,000 in 2026. You can't treat them like a $500 big-box store special.
- Grease the Axles: This is the #1 thing people miss. If you don't grease the hex shaft and the axles, the wheels will eventually seize.
- Fuel Stability: If you aren't using ethanol-free gas, you’re asking for a clogged carb by next November. Use a stabilizer like SeaFoam or Sta-Bil 360.
- Skid Shoes: Check them. If they wear down to the housing, you’re looking at a multi-hundred dollar repair. Flip them once they show wear; they’re reversible for a reason.
Actionable Next Steps for Potential Owners
If you're tired of your current blower dying every time the snow gets wet, here is how to move forward with a Platinum 24 SHO:
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- Measure your storage: This machine is roughly 26.4 inches wide at its widest point. Make sure you have a clear path in the garage.
- Check your local dealer: Don't buy this from a big-box retailer if you can avoid it. A local power equipment dealer will have it assembled, tested, and "run-in" before you take it home. Plus, they’ll actually service it when things go wrong.
- Verify the Model Year: Ensure you are getting the updated AX369 engine (or the 389cc in the latest 2026 iterations) rather than an older 2021-2022 stock model that might have sat in a warehouse.
- Skip the EFI unless necessary: If you live below 3,000 feet, the carburetor model is simpler, cheaper to fix, and just as reliable if you use good fuel.
The Platinum 24 SHO isn't for everyone. It's for the person who wants the most power possible in the smallest footprint. It’s a specialized tool for serious winter, and once you use one, going back to a standard "Deluxe" machine feels like trying to mow a lawn with scissors.