Uploaded November 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Definitive Guide!
Today we'll be discussing the 4 main shear pins that MTD uses in both of their 2 stage, and 3 stage snow blowers.
This video will cover all of MTD's various brands of snow blowers from 2005 to present (that use a shear-pin, not a shear-bolt) including but not limited to the brands listed below;
Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Craftsman, Columbia, White Outdoors, Bolens, Remington, Yard-Man, YardWorks, Yard Machines, MTD Pro, MTD Gold, MTD and Black & Decker.
It should seem obvious that you would use a 2 stage shear pin in a 2 stage snow blower, and the 3 stage shear pins in a 3 stage snow blower.
All 2005+ MTD 2 stage snow blowers use either the shorter (.25" x 1.5") 738-04124A or longer (.25" x 1.75") 738-04155 shear pin.
Which one you need will depend on whether it's a 300, 500 or 600 series snow blower with a 3/4" auger shaft. Or the larger 800 and 900 series snow blower with the 1" auger shaft.
However, between 2015 and late 2017, all 3 stage MTD snow blowers were designed to use, and sold with the 2 stage 738-04124A GR2 shear pins installed in them.
In late August of 2017, MTD issued a service advisory (MTD-228) recommending that MTD dealers upgrade any and all 3 stage snow blowers (manufactured from 2015-2017), with the newly designed 738-05273 GR5 shear pin, that has the #3 on the head.
The reason for this service advisory, was because MTD noticed the weaker 2 stage GR2 shear pins were breaking far to frequently in their 3 stage snow blowers, so an upgrade to a stronger GR5 shear pin was needed.
All 3 stage MTD snow blower models manufactured after September 2017 should already have the 738-05273 GR5 shear pin (with the #3 on the head) installed in it.
If yours does not, the shear pins should be upgraded, as the newer GR5 shear pin is stronger than the old GR2 shear pin. Replacing these will reduce down time, as you shouldn't have to replace broken shear pins as often.
Additionally, all 3 stage MTD snow blowers manufactured after 2019+ require using the newly designed (and stronger) 738-06654 GR8 hex head shear pin (marked with the letter A on the head) in the central "3rd stage" accelerator fins.
The outer "1st stage" auger fins on 2019+ models require using the 738-05273 GR5 shear pins.
The reason I made this video, was to clear up any confusion there might be.
As shown in the video, I ran both the model and serial number of the Columbia snow blower into MTD's official website, and both the owners manual and illustrated parts list (parts diagram) showed that the 3 stage snow blower was supposed to take the 2 stage shear pins.
This happened because many of MTD's owners manuals and illustrated parts listings are outdated, and have not been updated.
Also, unlike the average consumer, I have access to an MTD dealer parts portal called "PartSmart" which grants me access to information that may not be publicly, or widely available at the time.
Follow the steps in this video, and you'll have the necessary information to install the correct parts into your 3 stage snow blowers!
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Definitive Guide!
Today we'll be discussing the 4 main shear pins that MTD uses in both of their 2 stage, and 3 stage snow blowers.
This video will cover all of MTD's various brands of snow blowers from 2005 to present (that use a shear-pin, not a shear-bolt) including but not limited to the brands listed below;
Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Craftsman, Columbia, White Outdoors, Bolens, Remington, Yard-Man, YardWorks, Yard Machines, MTD Pro, MTD Gold, MTD and Black & Decker.
It should seem obvious that you would use a 2 stage shear pin in a 2 stage snow blower, and the 3 stage shear pins in a 3 stage snow blower.
All 2005+ MTD 2 stage snow blowers use either the shorter (.25" x 1.5") 738-04124A or longer (.25" x 1.75") 738-04155 shear pin.
Which one you need will depend on whether it's a 300, 500 or 600 series snow blower with a 3/4" auger shaft. Or the larger 800 and 900 series snow blower with the 1" auger shaft.
However, between 2015 and late 2017, all 3 stage MTD snow blowers were designed to use, and sold with the 2 stage 738-04124A GR2 shear pins installed in them.
In late August of 2017, MTD issued a service advisory (MTD-228) recommending that MTD dealers upgrade any and all 3 stage snow blowers (manufactured from 2015-2017), with the newly designed 738-05273 GR5 shear pin, that has the #3 on the head.
The reason for this service advisory, was because MTD noticed the weaker 2 stage GR2 shear pins were breaking far to frequently in their 3 stage snow blowers, so an upgrade to a stronger GR5 shear pin was needed.
All 3 stage MTD snow blower models manufactured after September 2017 should already have the 738-05273 GR5 shear pin (with the #3 on the head) installed in it.
If yours does not, the shear pins should be upgraded, as the newer GR5 shear pin is stronger than the old GR2 shear pin. Replacing these will reduce down time, as you shouldn't have to replace broken shear pins as often.
Additionally, all 3 stage MTD snow blowers manufactured after 2019+ require using the newly designed (and stronger) 738-06654 GR8 hex head shear pin (marked with the letter A on the head) in the central "3rd stage" accelerator fins.
The outer "1st stage" auger fins on 2019+ models require using the 738-05273 GR5 shear pins.
The reason I made this video, was to clear up any confusion there might be.
As shown in the video, I ran both the model and serial number of the Columbia snow blower into MTD's official website, and both the owners manual and illustrated parts list (parts diagram) showed that the 3 stage snow blower was supposed to take the 2 stage shear pins.
This happened because many of MTD's owners manuals and illustrated parts listings are outdated, and have not been updated.
Also, unlike the average consumer, I have access to an MTD dealer parts portal called "PartSmart" which grants me access to information that may not be publicly, or widely available at the time.
Follow the steps in this video, and you'll have the necessary information to install the correct parts into your 3 stage snow blowers!
_______________________________________________
If you enjoyed the video, hit LIKE & SUBSCRIBE!
New videos every week!
Get up to 3 Months FREE NordVPN with this sign up link; ref.nordvpn.com/VDyPaQedOsk
Lube-Shuttle: lube-shuttle.ca (Promo Code ELIMINATOR for 5% OFF)
SOCIAL MEDIA:
instagram.com/elmn80r
facebook.com/EliminatorPerformance
twitter.com/ELMN80R
youtube.com/eliminatorperformance
DONATE:
paypal.me/ELMN80R
Bitcoin: 1NYgPvcvBWuhGRewsLE4Scy1cbzwndh5hZ
2ND CHANNEL:
EP Vlogs: youtube.com/channel/UCqati-ozlK-ADoRc6jG0YhQ
GEAR:
Camera: amzn.to/3MqXvUx
Camcorder: amzn.to/3MJqi8n
Tripod: amzn.to/3BMuy0I
Microphone: amzn.to/3Wq4FNp
Cheap Mic: amzn.to/43gcLKN
Old Headphones: amzn.to/45kl6im
New Headphones: amzn.to/3OpK2PD
Headphones for Music: amzn.to/3olPI2t
Editing Software: amzn.to/3OvpR2W
Photoshop: amzn.to/3OxgS1a
MUSIC:
Intro/Outro Music: Burnt - Jingle Punks
