Front of a red two-stage snow blower on an icy driveway at dusk, auger spirals on the shaft, with a work glove holding spare shear bolts in the snow

Snow blowers

Snow blower shear pin sizes and part numbers by brand

8 sources

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Quick answer

There's no one-size snow blower shear pin. Ariens says to look up the part number in the service parts section of your owner's manual, because you need a pin that breaks at the right torque. Cub Cadet and Troy-Bilt sell 738-04124A (1/4 x 1-1/2 in) for most of their 2-stage models. Ariens and Toro sell their own kits by model family.

Genuine shear pins, by brand:

Cub Cadet / Troy-Bilt 738-04124A shear pin Ariens shear bolt kit 72100600 Ariens shear bolt kit 73203900 Toro Power Max auger bolt kit 139-9900

Where the shear pins are

Pin locations from Troy-Bilt and the MTD manual; count from Ariens and Cub Cadet. Your parts diagram shows the exact layout.

A shear pin (some makers call it a shear bolt) holds each auger to the auger shaft. Troy-Bilt says they sit along the main auger shaft, in the center of each auger spiral. If a rock or chunk of ice jams the auger, the pin snaps so the gear case doesn't take the hit (Ariens).

How many? Ariens says every two-stage snow blower has at least one shear pin on each side of the auger gear case. Cub Cadet says its 2- and 3-stage machines have 4 to 6, depending on clearing width, one for each auger flight. Count yours before you buy so you have spares for all of them.

Part numbers by brand

Machine	Shear pin part	What the maker lists
Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt and other MTD-built 2-stage	738-04124A	.25 x 1.5 in, for most 2-stage models; replaces 738-04124. Held with a bow-tie cotter pin, 714-04040.
MTD-built 3-stage, side augers	738-05273	Black, round head (manual 769-21930).
MTD-built 3-stage, center accelerator	738-06654	Hex head. The manual notes one more shear pin in the rear accelerator.
Ariens Deluxe, Platinum, Professional	Kit 72100600	3-pack shear bolt kit; replaces 52100100.
Ariens Classic, Compact, Sno-Tek, Crossover	Kit 73203900	3 shear bolts with nuts; replaces 53200500. Ariens says to confirm fit with its model lookup.
Toro Power Max	Kit 139-9900	Power Max auger bolt pins kit; replaces 133-2575.
Toro Power Max Heavy Duty	Kit 133-2576	Install sheet lists 2 bolts 5/16 x 2-1/2 in with spacers and locknuts, plus 2 bolts 1/4 x 2 in with locknuts.

These are examples, not a fit guarantee. Model years change parts, and the manual for your exact model number wins. The MTD manual says to never use anything but its listed OEM pins and that damage from doing otherwise isn't covered by warranty.

Sources disagree on the count. Ariens says "at least one" per side; Cub Cadet says 4 to 6 per machine. Both can be right, since wider machines have more auger flights. Your parts diagram shows the real number.

Guides in this section

GuideBolt instead of a shear pin?Why the makers say no, and what to do if you snap one mid-storm.Read guide

Fix guideShear pins keep breakingThe causes the makers point to, and the once-a-season fix most people skip.Read guide

Fix guideAuger not turningCable, belt, shear pins, then the gearbox, in the order the makers check.Read guide

Engine off, key out, spark plug wire off before you touch the auger. Ariens and Cub Cadet both say this. Clear a clog with the clean-out tool, not your hands (MTD manual).

How we work: part numbers come from Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Ariens and Toro pages and the MTD operator's manuals. We don't test snow blowers ourselves. Sources are listed below.

Questions people ask

Are snow blower shear pins universal?

No. Ariens says to use the part number from the service parts section of your owner's manual, because the pin has to shear at the right torque for your machine.

What size shear pin does a Cub Cadet or Troy-Bilt 2-stage use?

Cub Cadet and Troy-Bilt list 738-04124A, a .25 x 1.5 inch pin, for most of their 2-stage snow blowers. Check your model's parts list to confirm.

How many shear pins does a snow blower have?

Ariens says every two-stage snow blower has at least one on each side of the auger gear case. Cub Cadet says its 2- and 3-stage machines have 4 to 6, one per auger flight.

Where are the shear pins on a snow blower?

On the auger shaft. Troy-Bilt says they sit in the center of each auger spiral. 3-stage machines also have pins on the accelerator.

Sources

Last checked Oct 24, 2026. Part numbers come from Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Ariens and Toro; troubleshooting from Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt and the MTD manual. Stop the engine and pull the spark plug wire before touching the auger.