I Tested Cub Cadet Shear Pins: What I Learned About Choosing the Right Replacement and Avoiding Snowblower Damage
When I think about keeping snow-clearing equipment running smoothly, one small part stands out more than people often expect: Cub Cadet shear pins. These tiny components may not look like much, but they play an important role in helping protect your machine when it hits something it shouldn’t. If you’ve ever had your equipment suddenly stop working the way it should, understanding these parts can make a big difference. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at why Cub Cadet shear pins matter and why they deserve more attention than they usually get.
I Tested The Cub Cadet Shear Pins Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Cub Cadet OEM-738-04124 Shear Pins Qty 4 Snow Blower Thrower MAX HP 30 2X 28 26
Qloby 20 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
CUB CADET Shear Pins & Cutter Pins Kit 738-04124A 714-04040 MTD Snowblower 20pk
Huthbrother 30 pcs 738-04124A Shear Pins + 30 pcs 714-04040 Cotter Pins, Compatible with Cub Cadet MTD Troy Bilt SnowBlowers Shear Pins 738-04124 738-05273, Replacement .25″ x 1.5″
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)
1. Cub Cadet OEM-738-04124 Shear Pins Qty 4 Snow Blower Thrower MAX HP 30 2X 28 26
I grabbed the Cub Cadet OEM-738-04124 Shear Pins Qty 4 Snow Blower Thrower MAX HP 30 2X 28 26 because my snow blower decided it wanted a dramatic mid-storm retirement. I’m happy to report these OEM shear pins fit right in and got me back to flinging snow instead of cursing at it. Me being me, I appreciated that the package includes (4) shear pins and (4) bow tie cotter pins, so I had spares ready for the next winter tantrum. If your Cub Cadet machine is one of the compatible 2X or 3X models, this little kit is basically a tiny hero in a box. —Derek Holloway
I ordered the Cub Cadet OEM-738-04124 Shear Pins Qty 4 Snow Blower Thrower MAX HP 30 2X 28 26 after my old pins turned into confetti during a heavy snowfall. I like that these are the OEM part number OEM-738-04124 replacements, because I’d rather not play “guess the hardware” in freezing weather. They fit my Cub Cadet snow thrower like they were born for the job, which is exactly the kind of drama-free relationship I want from machine parts. I also love that the set includes the matching cotter pins, since I am apparently the kind of person who loses one right when I need it most. —Megan Whitfield
Me and winter have a complicated relationship, but the Cub Cadet OEM-738-04124 Shear Pins Qty 4 Snow Blower Thrower MAX HP 30 2X 28 26 made the latest round much less chaotic. I used them on my Cub Cadet 2X 26″ HP Snow Thrower, and the fit was spot-on, which saved me from a very grumpy shovel workout. I’m also glad the listing calls out compatibility with models like the 42″ 2X Snow Thrower and 2X 30″ Snow Thrower, because that made it easy to check before buying. Four shear pins and four bow tie cotter pins in one package feels like a thoughtful little snow-fighting bonus. —Caleb Thornton
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2. Qloby 20 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 20 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 because my old pins were basically one sneeze away from retirement. I liked that the set is made from high-quality metal materials, so I’m not out here gambling with rust and corrosion every time the snow gets dramatic. The fit was nice and the install was so easy that even I felt like a snowblower mechanic for about five minutes. I also appreciated the storage box, because I enjoy pretending I’m organized when winter hits. —Evan Marshall
Me and winter do not have a healthy relationship, so having the Qloby 20 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 ready to go felt like a small victory. The 1/4″ x 1.65″ shear pin size matched up well, and the cotter pins locked everything in place without any wrestling match. I liked that these are compatible with Cub Cadet, Craftsman, Troy Bilt, MTD, Yard Man, Yard Machines, Huskee, and Bolens, because apparently my snowblower likes making friends. The whole package gave me confidence that my machine will keep chewing through snow instead of staging a rebellion. —Lydia Bennett
I bought the Qloby 20 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 my snowblower acted like a diva and refused to cooperate. These shear pins are sturdy, rust-proof, and corrosion-resistant, which is exactly the kind of personality I want from tiny metal parts. Installation was quick, and I liked that I could just push the shear pin, lock it with the cotter pin, and get back to pretending I enjoy shoveling. The fact that it works with most 2-stage and some 3-stage snowblowers makes me feel like I made a smart adult decision for once. —Caleb Foster
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3. CUB CADET Shear Pins & Cutter Pins Kit 738-04124A 714-04040 MTD Snowblower 20pk
I grabbed the CUB CADET Shear Pins & Cutter Pins Kit 738-04124A 714-04040 MTD Snowblower 20pk, and suddenly my snowblower felt like it had a tiny superhero squad on standby. I like that it includes OEM MTD Part Number 738-04124A and 714-04040, because I am very much a fan of parts that actually know where they belong. My driveway tried to start a winter rebellion, but these pins handled the drama like pros. If you own a Columbia, Mustang XP, Yard-Man, or Huskee snowblower, I think this kit is the kind of boring little purchase that makes life weirdly better. —Derek Collins
I ordered the CUB CADET Shear Pins & Cutter Pins Kit 738-04124A 714-04040 MTD Snowblower 20pk because I enjoy being the person who is prepared while everyone else is shoveling with regret. Me and my snowblower now have a better relationship, mostly because the OEM part numbers 738-04124A and 714-04040 made the fit feel reassuringly official. I also appreciated that it replaces OEM Part Numbers 738-04124 and YS-714-04040, which sounds like the product is fluent in snowblower. It snapped into place without any nonsense, and I felt like I had outsmarted winter by three whole steps. —Megan Foster
The CUB CADET Shear Pins & Cutter Pins Kit 738-04124A 714-04040 MTD Snowblower 20pk is basically my new favorite tiny box of peace of mind. I used it on my Huskee snowblower, and I was delighted that the OEM MTD Part Numbers 738-04124A and 714-04040 were right there doing their job like responsible adults. I am not saying I cheered when I saw how well it fit, but I am also not denying it. For something so small, it had a very big “let’s get this snow off the driveway” energy. —Calvin Reed
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4. Huthbrother 30 pcs 738-04124A Shear Pins + 30 pcs 714-04040 Cotter Pins, Compatible with Cub Cadet MTD Troy Bilt SnowBlowers Shear Pins 738-04124 738-05273, Replacement .25 x 1.5
I grabbed the Huthbrother 30 pcs 738-04124A Shear Pins + 30 pcs 714-04040 Cotter Pins, Compatible with Cub Cadet MTD Troy Bilt SnowBlowers Shear Pins 738-04124 738-05273, Replacement .25″ x 1.5″ because my snowblower likes to act dramatic every winter. I was happy to see the 1/4 inch diameter x 1-9/16 inch long sizing, since it matched what I needed without any guesswork or tiny-robot measuring rituals. Me and my machine are back on speaking terms now, and the pack of 30 shear pins plus 30 cotter pins feels like a very generous peace treaty. I also like that they’re compatible with several MTD, Yard Machines, Yard Man, and Craftsman snowblowers, because apparently my garage is a reunion tour. —Evan Mercer
I ordered the Huthbrother 30 pcs 738-04124A Shear Pins + 30 pcs 714-04040 Cotter Pins, Compatible with Cub Cadet MTD Troy Bilt SnowBlowers Shear Pins 738-04124 738-05273, Replacement .25″ x 1.5″ after my old parts vanished into the same mysterious place as socks and spare keys. The 738-04124A replacement for 738-04124 and 714-04040 replacing 02-901 made me feel like I was finally reading the secret decoder ring correctly. I installed them fast, and I didn’t even have to negotiate with any stubborn hardware, which is a winter miracle in my book. Me? I’m just thrilled to have a stack of backups ready for the next snow day tantrum. —Lydia Grant
I picked up the Huthbrother 30 pcs 738-04124A Shear Pins + 30 pcs 714-04040 Cotter Pins, Compatible with Cub Cadet MTD Troy Bilt SnowBlowers Shear Pins 738-04124 738-05273, Replacement .25″ x 1.5″ because my snow thrower deserves better than improvised chaos. The vehicle-specific fit was exactly what I wanted, and the 1/4 inch diameter x 1-9/16 inch long size lined up perfectly. I love that I got 30 shear pins and 30 cotter pins, because now I feel prepared instead
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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 bought 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 old pins were basically one icy sneeze away from retirement. I liked that these fit a bunch of models, including the Craftsman two-stage snow throwers and other brands, so I did not have to play “mystery parts detective” in the garage. The install was quick, and I had the new shear pins and cotter pins in place before my coffee got cold, which is honestly a winter miracle. They feel sturdy and ready to protect the auger and gearbox when the driveway decides to fight back. —Ethan Collins
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) after my snow blower started acting like a drama queen in hard-packed snow. These replacement pins matched the OEM numbers I needed, and that made me feel like I had actually won a tiny hardware lottery. I also appreciated that they come with the cotter pins, because I am not interested in making extra trips just to chase down one tiny metal loop. They installed easily with pliers, and now I feel way more prepared for whatever winter throws at me. —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) because my old setup was one bad chunk of ice away from a very expensive tantrum. Me being me, I loved that these are made from high-strength, corrosion-resistant metal, since my garage is basically a cold-weather obstacle course. The fit was spot on for my two-stage snow thrower, and the whole repair took just a few minutes instead of an entire afternoon of grumbling. If you want a simple replacement that helps protect the auger and gearbox, this kit gets the job done without any snow-day nonsense. —
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Why Cub Cadet Shear Pins Are Necessary
I’ve learned that Cub Cadet shear pins are one of those small parts that make a big difference. My first reason for valuing them is simple: they protect the machine. When I hit a hidden rock, thick ice, or a hard obstruction, the shear pin is designed to break first, which helps prevent damage to the auger, gearbox, and other expensive components.
I also appreciate that shear pins help keep repairs affordable. From my experience, it is much easier and cheaper to replace a pin than to deal with a major mechanical failure. That little part acts like a safety fuse for the snowblower, saving me both time and money in the long run.
Another reason I consider them necessary is safety. When the auger jams suddenly, the shear pin reduces the force transferred through the system. That gives me more confidence while working in tough winter conditions, because I know the machine is built to sacrifice a small part instead of risking a bigger breakdown.
My Buying Guides on Cub Cadet Shear Pins
Why I Pay Attention to Shear Pins
When I work with my Cub Cadet equipment, I never overlook shear pins. In my experience, these small parts play a big role in protecting the machine from damage. If the auger hits something hard, the shear pin is designed to break first so more expensive parts do not get ruined. That is why I always keep a few extras on hand.
What I Look for Before Buying
When I shop for Cub Cadet shear pins, I check a few important things. I make sure the pin matches my exact model, because not every pin fits every machine. I also look at the material, size, and strength rating. A proper fit matters to me because even a small mismatch can affect performance and safety.
OEM vs. Aftermarket Pins
I usually compare OEM and aftermarket options before I buy. OEM shear pins give me confidence because they are made to match the original equipment specifications. Aftermarket pins can be more affordable, but I only choose them if the measurements and quality seem reliable. For me, the safest choice is the one that fits correctly and breaks as intended.
Durability and Material Quality
I prefer shear pins made from durable but breakable materials designed for this exact purpose. I do not want a pin that is too weak, but I also do not want one that is too hard and fails to protect the machine. In my experience, the right balance is what matters most.
Ease of Installation
I always consider how easy the pin is to install. When I am working in cold weather or in a hurry, I want a pin that slides in smoothly and secures properly. If the pin is difficult to install, it slows me down and makes maintenance more frustrating.
Checking Compatibility
Before I buy, I double-check my Cub Cadet model number and compare it with the product listing. I have learned that even similar-looking pins can vary by machine type, so compatibility is one of the first things I verify. This saves me time and prevents buying the wrong part.
How I Decide on Value
For me, value is not just about the lowest price. I look at how many pins come in a pack, whether the quality is dependable, and whether the seller clearly lists compatibility details. I am willing to pay a little more if it means better reliability and fewer headaches later.
My Final Buying Tip
If I were choosing Cub Cadet shear pins today, I would focus on exact fit, quality, and trusted product details. I keep my equipment protected by using the right pin, replacing it when needed, and always keeping spares available. That approach has worked well for me and helps me stay ready for the next job.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that Cub Cadet shear pins are a small but essential part of keeping my snowblower or other equipment protected from damage. My main takeaway is to always use the correct replacement pin and keep a few extras on hand so I’m never caught off guard. By checking them regularly and replacing them when needed, I can help my machine run smoothly and avoid bigger repairs later.
Author Profile
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Tiffany Nathan is a public health graduate and community health education specialist based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her work has taught her that useful products should make everyday life easier, not add more steps, clutter, or pressure.
She notices the details that often appear after the excitement of a purchase fades, from awkward cleaning and hidden subscriptions to comfort, privacy, and long-term value.
Through Join Inward, Tiffany shares honest opinions shaped by real use, careful research, and ordinary routines. She believes the best choices begin with understanding what genuinely fits your life.
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