The parts that actually fail are predictable. Keeping a small set in the garage costs very little and saves an entire storm.
Wear parts worth stocking
- Shear pins and shear bolts. Designed to break so the auger gearbox does not. Always use the correct pin, never a hardware store bolt.
- Auger and drive belts. The second most common failure, and cheap.
- Scraper bar. A worn bar leaves snow behind on every pass and is often mistaken for a power problem.
- Skid shoes. Wear unevenly and change how the machine sits.
- Spark plug. A yearly plug is cheap insurance on a gas machine.
- Friction disc. The usual cause of a machine that runs but will not self propel.
Accessories that earn their place
- Tyre chains. The single biggest traction upgrade on any slope.
- Cab or windshield. You are working into wind and thrown snow.
- Cover. Storing a machine damp is what kills friction discs and seizes cables.
- Drift cutters. Worth it if you routinely clear deep drifts.
Common questions
Can I substitute a bolt for a shear pin?
No. Shear pins break deliberately to protect the gearbox. A grade 5 bolt will not shear, so the gearbox absorbs the impact instead and a five dollar fix becomes a major repair.
How do I know which parts fit my machine?
Use the model and serial number from the plate on the machine, not the year of purchase. Manufacturers change specifications mid model run.
Something actually broken? See the repair guide.