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

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 I came across this interesting review while searching for info on shear bolts. "Level of Expertise Intermediate", He wrote the following:  I could not find any reference to SNOW BLOWER SHEER PINS in your SNOW BLOWER ACCESSORIES lists. WHY NOT ? ? ? I did do an additional search and your web site did then bring up the Sheer Pins. Sheer pins are a consumable item. I've found, when using my snow blower, that i use approximately two sheer pins per day, sometimes more. These items are essential to proper operation of snow blowers. Lowes should list these sheer pins with Lowes Snow Blower accessories. Thanks for hearing me out.

I'm having a bit of difficulty accepting the the notion that a shear pin is designed to such specific tolerances that only one machine can accept and use them.  After all, we're talking snow blowers here.  A machine designed to perform work in an environment that will occasionally cause the auger to break a pin.  

The idea of using "only" the manufacturers pins sounds more like a cash grab for dealers than anything else.  I've heard of some ridiculous prices for shear pins.  Some as much as $1.25 a piece.  Not a chance that I'll pay that.  Not when I can get a suitable bolt from the hardware store for  fifteen cents.

 I've used low grade bolts on old Craftsman machine augers that worked just fine.  Never broke a lot of them and when necessary, they did break.  My Simplicity uses a non-threaded pin with a clip in the end so there's no chance of over-tightening it.  Discussing shear pins is of no use if the auger is rust welded to the drive shaft.  Make the effort to grease the auger shafts at the end of every season.  Take out the shear pins and spin them after greasing. 

Couldn't agree more with the remarks about greasing the shafts and spinning them. Not sure if this is important but the manual on my machine lists a torque specification for the shear bolts at 11 ft/lb. With regard to the Toro-Their design allows for the slippage of the belt before the pin lets go. I have a neighbor who jammed a newspaper and the belt slipped to the extent it started to smoke. I think I would rather pay for a pin than a belt. It's also a lot easier to change a pin than a belt. Marc