Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Even though the drawing doesnt call them shear bolts, my 10 year old machine snapped one in three pieces.  Being the "nice guy" I was doing several senior citizen's sidewalk when I ate a cast iron water shut off cover.  Stopped the auger dead.  After a partial dissasembly to remove the stuck piece of metal I found the sheared bolt.  I removed the good side to see what I needed to buy and its a grade 5 , 2-1/2" hex head bolt with a special separate bushing/spacer.  It has no cut down areas on the shank like a regular shear bolt.
Looks like a special trip to the Toro dealer.  I dont have any spares since "Toro's dont require shear bolts".........yeah right!

Local hardware store genius said   " we just give people the grade 8 bolts instead" .......... YIKES!

Check with a hardware or fastener store, they should have something for you.  Also, Sears sell shear bolts for their Craftsman machines.  Maybe they'll fit.  Take the old bolt pieces with you when you go shopping.

The shear bolts need to be 2 1/2" long and were not available locally  It's the dam steel bushing/spacer that is a whole new problem...Toro part.  The auger has a larger hole on one side that the bushing sits flush  in.  I have no idea what the reason would be other then to make you spend the extra $4. for it.  

Whatever it cost spend for it because the alternative is a trashed gear box which will run you more then 4 bucks.

Just returned from a 30 mile round trip to the Toro dealer.  He doesnt stock any of the shear bolts or spacers for my 1996 824 Power shift.  I found that to be totally amazing.