7 Snow Blower Replacement Parts You Should Keep On Hand
Winter is inevitable. You can't stop it; you can only hope to contain it.
If you own a snow blower to dig you out of the season's unavoidable snowstorms, containing winter means ensuring your machine is properly maintained and operating at 100 percent. It also means being prepared for any situation, including damaged or broken snow blower parts.
Having snow blower replacement parts on hand will not only save you from being stranded with a half-cleared driveway when an important part breaks, but also ensures you won't have to go out to buy parts in a pinch or wait for backup parts to be delivered to your home. All you'll need to do is grab the spare part you already own, safely replace it on your snow blower and get back to clearing your driveway.
What snow blower replacement parts should you keep on hand in case of an emergency? Below are seven that we'd recommend you buy before winter arrives. Cub Cadet Genuine Parts are available at your local authorized Cub Cadet dealer and online .
Important: Consult your operator's manual and/or illustrated parts list for exact part numbers and/or location of these components on specific units. Find your machine operator's manual here .
Snow Blower Belts – Your snow blower has two belts, one that operates the drive system for the wheels and another that drives the auger. These belts will wear down over time and, as a result, should be checked regularly. If they're not, one of the belts could break in the middle of using your snow blower. That's why keeping one or two extra belts on hand is recommended.
Spark Plug – Your snow blower's spark plug can corrode and accumulate buildup if it isn't cleaned or serviced after every season. If you encounter starting trouble with your snow blower, you may have to replace the spark plug so make sure you have spares at the ready.
Oil, Lubricants and Fuel Additives – Protecting your engine is a vital part of ensuring your snow blower will last. This means checking and changing the snow blower's oil on a regular basis, as well as maintaining a clean fuel system with in-season treatments and off-season stabilizers. Always have oil, lubricants and fuel additives in your garage in case you need them.
Skid Shoes - The skid shoes on your snow blower offer protection to its shave plate and auger housing, as well as the surface that you're removing snow from. Due to the nature of the skid shoes' purpose, they're going to wear down and need to be replaced. Buy a pair as backups and make sure to replace both at the same time.
Ignition Key - It's not uncommon for a snow blower's ignition key to get lost or broken during use or maintenance, which could put a real damper on your snow-clearing efforts if you don't have any spares close by. You won't be able to start your snow blower without one.
Shear Pins – Your snow blower's shear pins are the first line of defense against gear or gearbox damage when the machine's augers are jammed. If that happens, the shear pins are designed to break to protect the other parts of your snow blower. So, grab yourself a shear pin kit in case this happens to you.
Shave Plate - Your snow blower's shave plate is going to be worn down and damaged after enough use so it will likely need to be replaced at some point. If that happens to be while you're clearing your driveway and you don't have a backup, you'll be in trouble. Make sure you have a backup shave plate at your disposal.