Shear Pin and Cotter Pin

Shear pins act as a safety mechanism for your snow blower. They are designed to break intentionally if the auger hits a solid object like a rock or ice chunk, preventing the impact force from damaging the more expensive auger gearbox.

This kit is compatible with many MTD, Cub Cadet, and Craftsman models. To be certain, check your owner's manual for part numbers 738-04124A, 738-04124, or 714-04040, which are the standard replacements for these specific pins.

Shear pins are consumable parts that are meant to fail under stress. Having a supply of 20 pins and 20 cotter keys ensures you have immediate replacements on hand during a storm, so you don't have to stop clearing snow to hunt for parts.

Replacing a pin is a straightforward process that typically requires only basic tools like pliers to remove the old cotter pin. It is a standard maintenance task that most snow blower owners can perform quickly without professional help.

No, you should never replace a shear pin with a standard bolt or a stronger grade of metal. Using a bolt that doesn't break under pressure will transfer the impact force directly to your gearbox, which can lead to costly, permanent damage to your machine.