You can minimize your need for replacement parts and snowblower repairs if you take proper precautions when operating your snowblower and you always check it to make sure it's in proper working condition. It's better to sniff out a damaged snowblower part early on and replace it, than to be stuck out in the middle of a storm and end up with a snowblower you can't use, and one that's probably in worse condition than it would have been in if you caught the problem right away.

I always keep spare snowblower parts on hand at all times, so I can prevent myself from running into a common problem and then being out of commission. How would you even get to the store if you couldn't clear your driveway because your snowblower is broken? That's why I keep some spare parts on hand at all time. Browse a selection of replacement parts for snowblowers.

So what are some of the most common snowblower repairs and snowblower parts that break? First, a problem many people run into is a broken shear pin. What some people don't understand is that it's an almost inevitability that you're going to have broken shear pins. That's why they are designed to do!

You see, shear pins are designed by nature to break down to prevent more serious engine components to become damaged. Think of them as the electrical fuse box of your snowblower. In your house, if something is overloaded, all of the wiring in the house doesn't catch on fire or explode. The fuse switches off, effectively limiting the problem and requiring that you go switch the fuse back on. In the case of shear pins, they actually break, separating the power train from the shaft.

I highly recommend keeping a handful of extra snowblower shear pins on hand. That way when it happens, and it will happen, you can let your machine cool down and then easily change in the new shear pin and keep on working.

One of the other most common snowblower repairs is replacing a snowblower v belt, or snowblower belt, that broke. Your snowblower v belts should last for several years, but that depends on how much you use your snow thrower and how hard the machine gets taxed when it does operate. I also recommend keeping extra belts on hand in case one breaks while you are using it. Always check your belts before you use the snowblower for the first time of the season to check for wear and tear.

Before you go take your snowblower into the shop or take apart the entire engine yourself to try to spot a problem, always check those two places first. The shear pins and the belts are the most common snowblower parts that break and will need repair. But they are just the beginning!

• From there you can encounter problems with your roller chain or the roller itself.
• If your machine can't even turn on to begin with, it may be a simple problem with a damaged spark plug.
• Noticing extra amounts of dark smoke, strong fuel smells and so on could be symptoms of a fuel line or fuel filter problem.
• Depending on the model and quality of snowblower you are using, the impeller blades or paddles themselves can become damaged.

These are just some of the most common snowblower repairs I've encountered, as well as a brief listing of some of the replacement parts for snowblowers that you may want to familiarize yourself with. If you are looking for parts for snowblowers, browse our selection of cheap snowblower parts for all brands and models. And check out our listings of Tecumseh engines and Tecumseh engine parts.

Snowblower Safety Tips

• First and foremost, one of the best snowblower safety tips is to never reach in with your hands to try to fix a jam. Even if your snowblower is turned off, there could be something lodged in there creating built up tension that can release when the jam is removed. Read more about fixing snowblower jams. And of course, in any situation, keep your hands and feet away from any moving parts.
• Never leave a running snowblower unattended. If you're snowblower is turned on, you should always be right behind it.
• A snowblower safety tip for single stage snowblowers is to never operate them on a gravel or rocky surface. A single stage snowblower can pick up and launch small rocks making it dangerous for people and property nearby.
• Don't try to cover too much ground too quickly when using your snow thrower. Take your time, relax and get the job done. Your snow thrower will function more efficiently in this manner and you'll avoid any problems.
• If you use an electric snowblower, an important snowblower safety tip is to make sure your cord is completely intact without any rips or tears. Also make sure you keep an eye on where the cord is, so you avoid tripping over it or getting it stuck in an awkward position.
• As temping as it may be, don't try to make any personal modifications to your snowblower that remove the essential safety features your model may have installed!
• Try to check your snowblower frequently for any damages, worn parts and so on. Replacement snowblower parts are usually cheap, but working with a damaged snowblower can ruin more expensive pieces, can cause frustration and can be potentially hazardous.
• Always refuel your snowblower while it's off. Don't leave the engine running and then try to fill it up. This holds true for any repairs or inspections as well, and it's one of the most crucial snowblower safety tips I can tell you, always have the engine off before doing any kind of work on your snowblower. You should even disconnect the spark plug before making repairs.
• Supervise a child or teenager using a snowblower for the first time, and if possible, always supervise them. Even if they are responsible and have used a snow thrower many times over, it's easier or a teen to lose focus or lose control of a heavy machine.
• Consider using ear plugs when using a large or heavy duty snowblower. The decibel level from snowblower engines can get quite loud and can be damaging.
• Stay moving in a forward motion, pushing your snowblower along. Of course, many snowblowers today have reverse functions and different speeds. But an important snowblower safety tip is to only push your snowblower forward at a comfortable pace while the machine is in a forward gear.
• It might seem pointless, but make sure to read your owner's manual! There will be important usage instructions and guides, and it's always good to know and understand your machine.

There are other snowblower safety tips to consider and many of them involve using common sense. Of course you never want to operate a snowblower if you're drunk or if you're very tired. You want to be able to be mentally alert, have quick reaction time and strong physical control. If you have any other snowblower safety tips that you've picked up along the way, please share with the rest of us!

Why do snowblower jams occur?

A snowblower can jam for several reasons, but it's basically either a jam in the auger or a jam in the discharge chute. A jam can sneak up on you if the snow is particularly wet or icy, if you were moving very quickly through an area or if your auger isn't properly breaking all of the chunks down into smaller pieces. Additionally it's possible that other objects can get lodged in the machinery, such as rocks, frozen mud or grass and so on.

So how do I fix the snow blower jam?

First you want to make sure to turn the snowblower off. Please note, that just because the snowblower is turned off, it's not safe to just stick your hand in there and start moving things around! Even NHL player Joe Sakic can attest to that, as he injured himself recently doing just that and has to miss 3 months of the season!

What happens is that when your snowblower has a jam, the blades or paddles on the auger can get twisted up and basically stuck in the position. It's the elements causing the jam that are keeping the auger stuck in that fashion, so if you remove those ice or snow chunks, then guess what, the blades will return to their normal position at full speed! Clearly that's a situation you need to steer clear of.

So instead of just reaching your hand in there and hoping nothing goes wrong during your snowblower repairs, you should use either the shaft of a shovel or other garden tool, or a long and skinny stick that's lying around. Begin prodding and breaking down any large ice chunks or any clumps of wet snow or foreign materials. If you didn't notice anything jammed there, or the jam wasn't completely cleared, then simply do the same thing to the chute to see if you can free anything up.

There you go, you just fixed a snow blower jam, you didn't lose a finger and your back and ready for action! But what if that didn't fix your problem and your snowblower still is struggling?

You may need replacement parts for a snowblower

Sometimes your snowblower won't be jammed but it will break down. Additionally, a worn down or broken part can lead to frequent jams, and overtaxing a snowblower when jammed can lead to breaking parts.

But most snowblower replacement parts are cheap enough to purchase and easy enough to install. Be sure to browse our listing of our parts snowblowers that can match almost any make, model or brand of snowblower.