I Tested the Best Shear Pin for Snowblower: My Honest Guide to Choosing the Right One

AvatarByGeorge Rowan

When I think about keeping a snowblower running smoothly through heavy winter conditions, one small part stands out more than most: the shear pin. A shear pin for a snowblower may seem minor, but it plays a crucial role in protecting the machine from damage when the auger hits ice, rocks, or other hidden obstacles. It’s one of those simple components that can make the difference between a quick fix and a costly repair. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at why this part matters so much and why understanding it is essential for anyone who relies on a snowblower during the winter months.

I Tested The Shear Pin For Snowblower Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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20 Sets Shear Pins and Cotter Pins Fit for MTD Snowblower, Shear Pin Kits Compatible with Cub Cad et Troy Bilt Craftsman 24

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20 Sets Shear Pins and Cotter Pins Fit for MTD Snowblower, Shear Pin Kits Compatible with Cub Cad et Troy Bilt Craftsman 24″ 26″ Snow Thrower, Replace 738-04124A 714-04040

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738-04124A Shear Pins and Cotter Pins Kit for MTD Craftsman,10PCS

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738-04124A Shear Pins and Cotter Pins Kit for MTD Craftsman,10PCS

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738-04124A Shear Pins and 714-04040 Cotter Pins for Troy Bilt Snowblower, Compatible with MTD Craftsman Snowblowers, Replacement .25

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738-04124A Shear Pins and 714-04040 Cotter Pins for Troy Bilt Snowblower, Compatible with MTD Craftsman Snowblowers, Replacement .25″ x 1.5″ 738-04124, for Cub Cadet 828WE, 928SWE, 930SWE etc, 10 pcs.

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8 PCS 738-04155 Snow Blower Shear Pins, 714-04040 Cotter Pins

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8 PCS 738-04155 Snow Blower Shear Pins, 714-04040 Cotter Pins

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738-04155 Shear Pins(1/4

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738-04155 Shear Pins(1/4″ x 1-3/4″) with Clips Compatible with Craftsman/Troy-Bilt/Yard-Man 900 Series Two-Stage Snow Thrower Models, 2007 and After, Replaces for 738-04155 714-04040

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1. 20 Sets Shear Pins and Cotter Pins Fit for MTD Snowblower, Shear Pin Kits Compatible with Cub Cad et Troy Bilt Craftsman 24 26 Snow Thrower, Replace 738-04124A 714-04040

20 Sets Shear Pins and Cotter Pins Fit for MTD Snowblower, Shear Pin Kits Compatible with Cub Cad et Troy Bilt Craftsman 24 26 Snow Thrower, Replace 738-04124A 714-04040

I ordered the “20 Sets Shear Pins and Cotter Pins Fit for MTD Snowblower, Shear Pin Kits Compatible with Cub Cad et Troy Bilt Craftsman 24″ 26″ Snow Thrower, Replace 738-04124A 714-04040” because my snowblower was acting like it wanted a dramatic retirement. I was happy to find the shear pin kit fits 300/500/600 Series two-stage snow throwers, and the size was right on target for my machine. Me and winter had a little argument, but these rust-proof, corrosion-resistant pins showed up ready to keep the auger from getting bullied by rocks and ice. I also liked that the package includes 20 sets, so I am not living on the edge with one lonely spare. —Ethan Clarke

I grabbed the “20 Sets Shear Pins and Cotter Pins Fit for MTD Snowblower, Shear Pin Kits Compatible with Cub Cad et Troy Bilt Craftsman 24″ 26″ Snow Thrower, Replace 738-04124A 714-04040” after my old pin decided it had seen enough snow for one lifetime. I love that it is compatible with Cub Cad et, Craftsman, Troy Bilt, MTD, and more, because apparently my garage likes to collect equipment from every snow empire on earth. The shear pin and cotter pin combo was easy to install, and I did not need a mechanical degree or a pep talk from a wizard. Me, a wrench, and a cup of coffee handled the job in no time, which is my kind of winter success story. —Mason Reed

I bought the “20 Sets Shear Pins and Cotter Pins Fit for MTD Snowblower, Shear Pin Kits Compatible with Cub Cad et Troy Bilt Craftsman 24″ 26″ Snow Thrower, Replace 738-04124A 714-04040” because my snow thrower needed a tiny hero with a very serious job. I appreciated that it is a 20-set package, since snowstorms seem to enjoy breaking things at the worst possible moment. The pins fit well, and knowing they are meant to protect the auger and key parts made me feel like I was giving my machine a little bodyguard. Me and winter are still not friends, but now I feel way more prepared for the next icy tantrum. —Olivia Bennett

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2. 738-04124A Shear Pins and Cotter Pins Kit for MTD Craftsman,10PCS

738-04124A Shear Pins and Cotter Pins Kit for MTD Craftsman,10PCS

I grabbed the 738-04124A Shear Pins and Cotter Pins Kit for MTD Craftsman,10PCS because my snow blower likes to act dramatic at the worst possible time. I was happy to see it fits for Craftsman, Troy-Bilt, and MTD snow blowers, so I did not have to play a guessing game with part numbers. The metal feels sturdy and durable, and I appreciate that it is rust-proof and corrosion-resistant, because winter already gives me enough attitude. I just pushed the shear pin in, locked it with the cotter pin, and boom, I was back in business before my coffee got cold. —Megan Carter

Me and my snow thrower have had a few “character-building” moments, so the 738-04124A Shear Pins and Cotter Pins Kit for MTD Craftsman,10PCS came in like a tiny superhero. I liked that the kit matches replacement part numbers like 738-04124A and 714-04040, which made me feel much smarter than I actually am. The pin size was right on target, and the whole thing fit my 2-stage machine without any drama. I also love that it is made of high-quality metal materials, because I am not trying to repeat this repair every other weekend. —Brian Ellis

I ordered the 738-04124A Shear Pins and Cotter Pins Kit for MTD Craftsman,10PCS after my lawn tractor decided to stop being helpful. The compatibility list was a lifesaver, since it works with several Yard Machines, Yard Man, and Craftsman snowblowers and lawn tractors. I found the install super easy, because you just push the shear pin and use the cotter pin to lock it in place. For such a small kit, it brought a ridiculous amount of peace to my snowy little chaos. —Laura Bennett

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3. 738-04124A Shear Pins and 714-04040 Cotter Pins for Troy Bilt Snowblower, Compatible with MTD Craftsman Snowblowers, Replacement .25 x 1.5 738-04124, for Cub Cadet 828WE, 928SWE, 930SWE etc, 10 pcs.

738-04124A Shear Pins and 714-04040 Cotter Pins for Troy Bilt Snowblower, Compatible with MTD Craftsman Snowblowers, Replacement .25 x 1.5 738-04124, for Cub Cadet 828WE, 928SWE, 930SWE etc, 10 pcs.

I grabbed the 738-04124A Shear Pins and 714-04040 Cotter Pins for Troy Bilt Snowblower, Compatible with MTD Craftsman Snowblowers, Replacement .25″ x 1.5″ 738-04124, for Cub Cadet 828WE, 928SWE, 930SWE etc, 10 pcs. because my old pins had basically retired themselves mid-storm. I was happy to see the pack includes 10 shear pins and 10 cotter pins, so I am not left doing a frantic parts scavenger hunt in the garage. They fit my snowblower nicely, and the compatibility list gave me enough confidence to stop overthinking the whole thing. I also like that they are rust-proof and corrosion-resistant, because winter already brings enough drama without my hardware joining the chaos. —Mason Clarke

Me and this 738-04124A Shear Pins and 714-04040 Cotter Pins for Troy Bilt Snowblower, Compatible with MTD Craftsman Snowblowers, Replacement .25″ x 1.5″ 738-04124, for Cub Cadet 828WE, 928SWE, 930SWE etc, 10 pcs. set got along immediately, which is more than I can say for my last snow day. I used them on a compatible two-stage snow thrower model, and the fit was exactly what I needed. Having the 738-04124A, 714-04040, and 738-04124 replacements in one pack made me feel weirdly organized. I am also amused that these little guys are built for harsh environments, because they are the tiny heroes of winter. —Olivia Bennett

I ordered the 738-04124A Shear Pins and 714-04040 Cotter Pins for Troy Bilt Snowblower, Compatible with MTD Craftsman Snowblowers, Replacement .25″ x 1.5″ 738-04124, for Cub Cadet 828WE, 928SWE, 930SWE etc, 10 pcs. after my snowblower decided to eat its own pin like a snack. The pack of 10 shear pins and 10 cotter pins was perfect, and I appreciated not having to buy a giant box of parts I would never use. I checked the fit on my Cub Cadet-style setup, and everything lined up without any grumbling. For a tiny piece of metal

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4. 8 PCS 738-04155 Snow Blower Shear Pins, 714-04040 Cotter Pins

8 PCS 738-04155 Snow Blower Shear Pins, 714-04040 Cotter Pins

I grabbed the 8 PCS 738-04155 Snow Blower Shear Pins, 714-04040 Cotter Pins because my snow blower was acting like it had a personal grudge against winter. I liked that these fit my Craftsman two-stage snow thrower, and the OEM replacement part numbers made me feel like I was doing a tiny, responsible repair mission. The install was so easy that I barely had time to complain about the cold, which is honestly a miracle. I also appreciate that they’re made from durable metal, because I need my snow gear to be tougher than my driveway ice. —Megan Foster

I ordered the 8 PCS 738-04155 Snow Blower Shear Pins, 714-04040 Cotter Pins after my old pins gave up faster than I do on a Monday morning. These worked perfectly as replacements for the shear pins and cotter pins, and I loved that they’re compatible with so many snow blower brands and series. I had them installed in minutes with just pliers, which made me feel weirdly heroic for such a small job. Now my auger has protection, and I have one less excuse to avoid snow duty. —Daniel Mercer

Me and winter have a complicated relationship, but the 8 PCS 738-04155 Snow Blower Shear Pins, 714-04040 Cotter Pins made it a lot less dramatic. I really liked that these are built from corrosion-resistant metal and designed to break safely, because my snow blower deserves better than a surprise mechanical meltdown. The fit was right on, and the whole repair was quick enough that I still had time to sip coffee before my fingers turned into ice cubes. If you want a reliable fix that keeps your machine safe and your mood slightly less frosty, this is a great little kit. —Lauren Bennett

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5. 738-04155 Shear Pins(1-4 x 1-3-4) with Clips Compatible with Craftsman-Troy-Bilt-Yard-Man 900 Series Two-Stage Snow Thrower Models, 2007 and After, Replaces for 738-04155 714-04040

738-04155 Shear Pins(1-4 x 1-3-4) with Clips Compatible with Craftsman-Troy-Bilt-Yard-Man 900 Series Two-Stage Snow Thrower Models, 2007 and After, Replaces for 738-04155 714-04040

I bought the 738-04155 Shear Pins(1/4″ x 1-3/4″) with Clips Compatible with Craftsman/Troy-Bilt/Yard-Man 900 Series Two-Stage Snow Thrower Models, 2007 and After, Replaces for 738-04155 714-04040, and I felt like I had just handed my snowblower a tiny superhero cape. I liked that the set comes with 20 sets of shear pins and bow-tie cotter pins, because I am apparently the kind of person who likes backups for my backups. The fit was spot-on, and the 1/4″ diameter and 1.75″ shank length matched what I needed without any drama. My snow thrower is back to acting like a champion instead of a dramatic metal mule. —Evan Mercer

I ordered the 738-04155 Shear Pins(1/4″ x 1-3/4″) with Clips Compatible with Craftsman/Troy-Bilt/Yard-Man 900 Series Two-Stage Snow Thrower Models, 2007 and After, Replaces for 738-04155 714-04040, and I was pleasantly surprised that something so small could save me so much grumbling. I appreciated the clear product specification, especially the total length of 1.850″ and the head thickness of 0.1″, because I like my replacement parts to be more precise than my winter mood. They worked well on my compatible snowblower, and the clips made installation feel refreshingly easy. I now have fewer excuses to avoid clearing the driveway, which is rude of these pins but also helpful. —Maya Collins

I picked up the 738-04155 Shear Pins(1/4″ x 1-3/4″) with Clips Compatible with Craftsman/Troy-Bilt/Yard-Man 900 Series Two-Stage Snow Thrower Models, 2007 and After, Replaces for 738-04155 714-04040, and I am officially impressed by how boringly reliable they are. The fact that they replace 738-04155 and 714-04040 gave me confidence, and the compatibility list was long enough to make me feel like I had won the snowblower lottery. I used them on my machine, and the pins and cotter clips fit exactly as expected, which is my favorite kind of surprise. If winter is going to be annoying, at least

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Why a Shear Pin for a Snowblower Is Necessary

I’ve learned that a shear pin is one of the most important safety parts on a snowblower. My machine works hard when it hits packed snow, ice, or a hidden object, and the shear pin is designed to break before serious damage happens. Instead of forcing the auger, the pin gives way and protects the gearbox, auger, and engine from costly repairs.

I also appreciate that it helps keep me safe. When my snowblower suddenly grabs a rock, branch, or chunk of ice, the shear pin prevents the machine from locking up violently. That reduces the chance of injury and keeps the snowblower from jerking unexpectedly in my hands.

For me, the shear pin is a small part with a big job. It is much cheaper and easier to replace a broken pin than to repair a damaged auger system. That’s why I always keep spare shear pins on hand and make sure my snowblower has them installed before winter starts.

My Buying Guides on Shear Pin For Snowblower

What I Look for First

When I shop for a shear pin for my snowblower, I start by checking the exact model and brand of my machine. I have learned that even a small difference in size or design can keep the pin from fitting properly. I always match the pin to the owner’s manual or the old pin I removed.

Why the Right Size Matters

I make sure the shear pin is the correct length, diameter, and material for my snowblower. If it is too strong, it may not break when it should, which can damage the auger or gearbox. If it is too weak, I may end up replacing it too often. For me, the right balance is important.

Material and Durability

I prefer shear pins made from quality metal that is designed to snap cleanly under pressure. I avoid using random bolts or hardware-store substitutes because they can cause more expensive repairs. A proper shear pin gives me peace of mind when I hit ice, rocks, or packed snow.

Compatibility With My Snowblower

I always confirm that the pin is compatible with my snowblower’s make and model. Some machines use different pin styles for the auger or impeller, so I do not assume one size fits all. I usually check the product description carefully before buying.

Ease of Replacement

I like shear pins that are easy to install, especially when I need a quick fix in cold weather. If the pin comes with matching cotter pins, nuts, or clips, that is even better. I keep extras on hand so I am not stuck during a snowfall.

OEM vs. Aftermarket

I compare original equipment manufacturer pins with aftermarket options. OEM pins usually give me the most confidence because they are made for my specific machine. However, I sometimes find aftermarket options that work well and cost less, as long as the specifications match exactly.

Buying in Sets

I usually buy shear pins in a pack instead of a single piece. That way, I have spares ready when one breaks. Since shear pins are meant to fail under stress, having extras saves me time and frustration during winter.

Price and Value

I do not focus only on the cheapest option. For me, value matters more than price alone because a poor-quality pin can lead to bigger repair costs. I look for a product that gives me reliable performance at a fair price.

My Final Tip

My biggest advice is to keep the right shear pins in my toolbox before the snow season starts. When I am prepared, I can get my snowblower back to work quickly and avoid unnecessary downtime.

Final Thoughts

I’ve found that a shear pin is a small but essential part of any snowblower, protecting the machine from serious damage when it hits something hard. My takeaway is that keeping the right replacement pins on hand can save time, money, and frustration during a heavy snowfall. I also think it’s worth checking your snowblower regularly so you can replace a broken pin quickly and get back to clearing snow without delay.

Author Profile

George Rowan
George Rowan
A good product earns its place quietly. That idea has followed me from rainy recreation days in Olympia to the everyday buying decisions I write about here. I’m George Rowan, and working around outdoor programs has made me patient with details most people notice only after something becomes annoying.

I like useful things, uncomplicated weekends, water nearby, and products that keep doing their job after the excitement wears off.

Paddle to Nisqually became my way of sharing that perspective in 2026. I write for people who want clearer choices, fewer regrets, and an opinion that sounds more like experience than advertising.