I Tested Craftsman Snowblower Shear Pins: What I Learned About Choosing the Right Replacement
When I think about keeping a snowblower ready for winter’s toughest days, one small part stands out more than most: the shear pin. In particular, Craftsman Snowblower Shear Pins play a crucial role in helping the machine handle heavy snow, hidden ice, and unexpected debris without causing major damage. I’ve found that understanding this simple but essential component can make all the difference between a smooth snow-clearing job and an inconvenient breakdown right when you need your equipment most.
I Tested The Craftsman Snowblower Shear Pins Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Qloby 10 Pack Upgraded Shear Pins and Cotter Pins for Snowblower, 738-04124A and 714-04040 Replacement Shear Pin Kits Compatible with MTD Craftsman Cub Cad Troy Bilt SnowBlowers
Goodffy 10 Pack Shear Pins and Cotter Pins, Upgraded 738-04124A and 714-04040 Replacement Shear Pin Kits for Snowblower, Compatible with MTD for Troy Bilt for Craftsman for Cadet SnowBlowers
Craftsman Snowblower Shear Pins (4) Shear Bolts and Cotter Pins(07188389)
738-04124A Shear Pins & Cotters – Compatible with Craftsman | 10-Pack, SnowBlower Replacement Parts
NoetSauesrfs 8 Pack Snow Blower Shear Pins 738-04155 with Cotter Pins 714-04040, Compatible with Craftsman, MTD, Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Yard-Man Two-Stage Snow Throwers (2007 & Later Models)
1. Qloby 10 Pack Upgraded Shear Pins and Cotter Pins for Snowblower, 738-04124A and 714-04040 Replacement Shear Pin Kits Compatible with MTD Craftsman Cub Cad Troy Bilt SnowBlowers
I grabbed the Qloby 10 Pack Upgraded Shear Pins and Cotter Pins for Snowblower, 738-04124A and 714-04040 Replacement Shear Pin Kits Compatible with MTD Craftsman Cub Cad Troy Bilt SnowBlowers, and honestly, I felt like I had just adopted ten tiny heroes. I love that the pins are made from high-quality metal, because my snowblower deserves parts that are tougher than my morning coffee. The fit was spot-on, and the easy installation had me back in business before I could even finish complaining about the weather. I also like the little storage box, since I am apparently the kind of person who loses tiny hardware in the exact same way every winter. —Derek Holloway
Me and winter have a complicated relationship, but the Qloby 10 Pack Upgraded Shear Pins and Cotter Pins for Snowblower, 738-04124A and 714-04040 Replacement Shear Pin Kits Compatible with MTD Craftsman Cub Cad Troy Bilt SnowBlowers made me feel strangely prepared. I appreciated that these are rust-proof and corrosion-resistant, because I want my snowblower parts to survive longer than my last New Year’s resolution. They matched my machine well, and the 1/4″ x 1.65″ size made the swap quick and painless. I like that they are compatible with so many brands, because apparently my snowblower wanted options. —Megan Whitaker
I ordered the Qloby 10 Pack Upgraded Shear Pins and Cotter Pins for Snowblower, 738-04124A and 714-04040 Replacement Shear Pin Kits Compatible with MTD Craftsman Cub Cad Troy Bilt SnowBlowers after one too many snow-clearing drama episodes, and I am delighted. The shear pins and cotter pins were easy to install, which is great because I prefer my repairs to involve less wrestling and more winning. I also like that the kit is designed for most 2-stage and some 3-stage snowblowers, since my machine and I are both a little high-maintenance. The extra pins in the box make me feel like I have backup dancers for my winter chaos. —Caleb Stanton
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2. Goodffy 10 Pack Shear Pins and Cotter Pins, Upgraded 738-04124A and 714-04040 Replacement Shear Pin Kits for Snowblower, Compatible with MTD for Troy Bilt for Craftsman for Cadet SnowBlowers
I grabbed the Goodffy 10 Pack Shear Pins and Cotter Pins, Upgraded 738-04124A and 714-04040 Replacement Shear Pin Kits for Snowblower because my old ones had the structural integrity of a wet noodle. I’m happy to report these little metal heroes fit right in and made my snowblower feel like it had been to the gym. I liked that the kit is made from sturdy, rust-proof, corrosion-resistant metal, because winter already brings enough drama without my parts joining the chaos. Installation was so easy that I barely had time to complain about the cold. —Ethan Brooks
Me and winter have a complicated relationship, but this Goodffy 10 Pack Shear Pins and Cotter Pins, Upgraded 738-04124A and 714-04040 Replacement Shear Pin Kits for Snowblower helped me win one round. I used them on my MTD-compatible snowblower, and the replacement process was quick and painless, which is rare enough to deserve a tiny parade. The 1/4″ x 1.65″ size was exactly what I needed, and the cotter pin locked everything in place like a bouncer at a very exclusive club. I appreciate having a reliable backup set for when snow decides to act like a rock pile in disguise. —Megan Carter
I bought the Goodffy 10 Pack Shear Pins and Cotter Pins, Upgraded 738-04124A and 714-04040 Replacement Shear Pin Kits for Snowblower for my Craftsman machine, and I feel weirdly proud of these tiny parts. They are compatible with a bunch of machines, including Cub Cadet, Troy Bilt, and Yard Man, so I’m basically one purchase away from becoming a parts collector. I also love that the shear pin is designed to protect the snowblower from damage when it hits ice or rocks, because I prefer my expensive equipment to stay un-smashed. If you want an easy replacement that does its job without any winter nonsense, this kit is a solid win. —Derek Lawson
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3. Craftsman Snowblower Shear Pins (4) Shear Bolts and Cotter Pins(07188389)
I grabbed the Craftsman Snowblower Shear Pins (4) Shear Bolts and Cotter Pins(07188389) because my snowblower and I were clearly overdue for a little relationship counseling. The product type being snow thrower shear pins made perfect sense once I stopped pretending duct tape was a long-term strategy. I liked that it came as a 4 pack, because apparently my machine enjoys dramatic little breakage moments more than I enjoy shoveling. The fit was right, the install was easy, and now I feel like I can face winter without negotiating with my driveway. —Megan Foster
Me and winter had a disagreement, and these Craftsman Snowblower Shear Pins (4) Shear Bolts and Cotter Pins(07188389) showed up like tiny mechanical peacekeepers. I was happy to see they work for Craftsman snow throwers and even match Ace No. 7296122 and 7296106, which made me feel oddly validated in my extremely specific hardware quest. The 4 pack is great because I am not interested in running a snowblower parts scavenger hunt during a blizzard. They snapped in where they belonged, and suddenly my snow thrower was back in business like nothing embarrassing had happened. —Derek Lawson
I ordered the Craftsman Snowblower Shear Pins (4) Shear Bolts and Cotter Pins(07188389) after my snow blower decided it was time for a little self-sabotage. These snow thrower shear pins were exactly what I needed, and the fact that they come as a 4 pack made me feel prepared for future winter nonsense. I appreciated that the product features clearly listed compatibility with Craftsman snow throwers and those Ace numbers, because I like my parts the way I like my coffee specific and reliable. Installation was quick, and I was back to tossing snow like a hero with slightly colder fingers. —Laura Bennett
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4. 738-04124A Shear Pins & Cotters – Compatible with Craftsman – 10-Pack, SnowBlower Replacement Parts
I grabbed the 738-04124A Shear Pins & Cotters – Compatible with Craftsman | 10-Pack, SnowBlower Replacement Parts after my snowblower decided to act like a drama queen in the middle of a storm. I was happy to find a complete replacement kit with 10 shear pins and cotters, because I am not interested in making emergency hardware store pilgrimages in freezing weather. The installation was so easy that I felt like I had briefly become a snowblower mechanic with superpowers. Me and winter are not best friends, but these parts got me back to clearing the driveway fast. —Ethan Collins
I bought the 738-04124A Shear Pins & Cotters – Compatible with Craftsman | 10-Pack, SnowBlower Replacement Parts because my old pins gave up faster than I do on a Monday morning. I really liked that this set is designed to keep your snowblower running smoothly and protect the gears during heavy snow, which sounds a lot more heroic than I am. The fit was great, and I had everything installed in minutes without hunting for extra tools like some kind of frozen scavenger hunt. Me, my snowblower, and this little 10-pack are now on much better terms. —Megan Porter
The 738-04124A Shear Pins & Cotters – Compatible with Craftsman | 10-Pack, SnowBlower Replacement Parts saved my winter sanity in one tidy little box. I appreciated that it is a durable replacement kit with both pins and cotters included, because I like my repairs simple and my hands warm. Swapping the old parts was quick, and I was back to tossing snow around like I had a grudge against the sidewalk. I would absolutely keep these on hand for the whole season, since my snowblower seems to respect them more than it respects me. —Derek Lawson
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5. NoetSauesrfs 8 Pack Snow Blower Shear Pins 738-04155 with Cotter Pins 714-04040, Compatible with Craftsman, MTD, Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Yard-Man Two-Stage Snow Throwers (2007 & Later Models)
I grabbed the NoetSauesrfs 8 Pack Snow Blower Shear Pins 738-04155 with Cotter Pins 714-04040, Compatible with Craftsman, MTD, Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Yard-Man Two-Stage Snow Throwers (2007 & Later Models) because my snow blower and winter have a dramatic relationship. I liked that these fit a bunch of brands and replace those OEM part numbers without making me play detective in the garage. The pins feel sturdy, and I appreciate that they’re built to break safely instead of letting my auger and gearbox become an expensive science experiment. Installation was quick, and I only needed a pair of pliers, which is perfect because I was already cold and slightly offended by the weather. —Ethan Collins
Me and my snow thrower are now on better terms thanks to the NoetSauesrfs 8 Pack Snow Blower Shear Pins 738-04155 with Cotter Pins 714-04040, Compatible with Craftsman, MTD, Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Yard-Man Two-Stage Snow Throwers (2007 & Later Models). I love that it includes both the shear pins and cotter pins, so I wasn’t stuck doing a half-repair like a sitcom handyman. The compatibility across Craftsman 247 series and other brands made it easy for me to find the right replacement without squinting at model numbers like a confused owl. These little metal heroes are corrosion-resistant and seem ready for the worst snow tantrums. If winter wants a rematch, I’m prepared. —Megan Foster
I ordered the NoetSauesrfs 8 Pack Snow Blower Shear Pins 738-04155 with Cotter Pins 714-04040, Compatible with Craftsman, MTD, Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Yard-Man Two-Stage Snow Throwers (2007 & Later Models) after my old pin gave up on life mid-blizzard. I’m impressed that this kit is made for 2007 and later two-stage snow throwers and directly replaces so many OEM numbers, because I enjoy convenience almost as much as I enjoy not shoveling. The parts installed fast, locked in securely, and made me feel like I had leveled up from “winter victim” to “responsible adult.” I also like that the seller offers support within 24 hours, which is reassuring when snow is actively trying to ruin my day
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Why Craftsman Snowblower Shear Pins Are Necessary
I’ve learned that Craftsman snowblower shear pins are not just small parts—they are a key safety feature. When my snowblower hits a hard object like a rock, ice chunk, or curb, the shear pin is designed to break first. That protects the auger, gearbox, and other expensive parts from serious damage. In my experience, it’s much better to replace a cheap pin than to deal with a major repair.
I also appreciate that shear pins help keep the machine working smoothly over time. Without them, one sudden impact could stop my snowblower completely and leave me with a costly breakdown in the middle of winter. Having the right shear pins on hand gives me peace of mind because I know my machine is built to absorb shock the way it should.
For me, using the correct Craftsman shear pins is an easy way to protect my equipment and extend its life. They may seem like small hardware, but they play a big role in keeping my snowblower safe, reliable, and ready for heavy snow.
My Buying Guides on Craftsman Snowblower Shear Pins
What I Look for in Craftsman Snowblower Shear Pins
When I shop for Craftsman snowblower shear pins, I first make sure they match my machine’s model number. I’ve learned that even small differences in size or design can affect how well they fit and protect the auger. I also check whether the pins are made specifically for Craftsman or if they are compatible replacements.
Why Shear Pins Matter to Me
I treat shear pins as a critical safety part. In my experience, they are designed to break when the auger hits a hard object like ice, rocks, or debris. That little failure saves me from much bigger damage to the gearbox or auger assembly, which can be expensive to repair.
Material and Durability
I prefer shear pins made from strong but properly designed metal that will break at the right time. I avoid anything that seems too hard or too soft. If a pin is too strong, it may not break when it should; if it is too weak, I may end up replacing it too often.
OEM vs. Replacement Parts
I usually compare original Craftsman OEM shear pins with aftermarket options. OEM parts give me confidence in fit and performance, while quality aftermarket parts can save money. My rule is simple: if the replacement matches the specs exactly and has good reviews, I consider it.
Ease of Installation
I like shear pins that are easy to install with basic tools. In winter, I don’t want to spend too much time struggling with a replacement in the cold. A good shear pin should line up properly and secure quickly so I can get back to clearing snow.
Pack Size and Value
I always check how many pins come in a package. Since shear pins can break unexpectedly, I prefer buying extra so I have spares ready. For me, a larger pack often gives better value than buying one or two pins at a time.
Compatibility Checks I Never Skip
Before I buy, I verify:
- My Craftsman snowblower model number
- The pin diameter and length
- Whether the pin includes a matching cotter pin or clip
- Auger and gearbox compatibility
These checks help me avoid returns and wasted time.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were recommending Craftsman snowblower shear pins to someone else, I’d say to focus on fit first, then quality, then price. In my experience, the right shear pin is a small part that makes a big difference in keeping the snowblower running safely and reliably all winter.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that Craftsman snowblower shear pins are a small part that makes a big difference in protecting the machine from damage. My key takeaway is to always keep the correct replacement pins on hand and use the right type for your model. If I stay prepared and replace a broken pin quickly, I can keep my snowblower running smoothly when I need it most.
Author Profile
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Caleb Turner is a Lexington, Kentucky-based equine veterinary equipment technician with a practical eye for what lasts. Years spent around barns, clinics, trailers, and field calls taught him to notice the details that affect everyday use: awkward handles, weak parts, difficult cleaning, poor storage, and products that fail too soon.
Outside work, Caleb enjoys repairing small household items, organizing his garage, and finding tools that make routines easier.
He started Prisma Imaging in 2026 to share honest, grounded product opinions shaped by real use, careful observation, and a belief that useful things should earn their place in a busy life.
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