January 22, 2021

How to replace a snowblower shave plate

How to replace a snowblower shave plate

The shave plate is a scraper blade that runs along the bottom of the auger housing. It protects the auger housing from wear and scrapes up snow the auger leaves behind.

Check the shave plate regularly and replace it using the steps in this repair guide/video if the plate is worn or damaged.

The shave plate wears out quickly if you don’t keep the skid shoes adjusted properly to lift the shave plate ¼-inch high. Watch our How to adjust the snowblower skid shoes video to see how to position skid shoes to avoid excessive shave plate wear.

This repair procedure works for common Craftsman, Ariens, Husqvarna, Troybilt, MTD, Murray, Snapper, Poulan and Noma snowblowers.

Quick links
Tools required
Wrench set
Cardboard
Work gloves
Repair difficulty
Time required
15 minutes or less
Repair difficulty
Time required
15 minutes or less
How to replace a snowblower shave plate

How to replace a snowblower shave plate video

Instructions

  1. 01.

    Drain the engine fuel

    Remove the gasoline from the engine.

  2. 02.

    Reposition the drift cutters

    Reposition the drift cutters so you can tip the snowblower onto its impeller housing.

    PHOTO: Reposition the drift cutters.

    PHOTO: Reposition the drift cutters.

  3. 03.

    Tip the snowblower forward

    Carefully tip the snowblower forward onto its impeller housing.

    PHOTO: Tip the snowblower forward.

    PHOTO: Tip the snowblower forward.

  4. 04.

    Remove the skid shoes

    Remove the skid shoe bolts and pull the skid shoes off the impeller housing.

    PHOTO: Remove the skid shoes.

    PHOTO: Remove the skid shoes.

  5. 05.

    Replace the shave plate

    Remove the shave plate mounting bolts and pull off the shave plate.

    Install the new shave plate.

    PHOTO: Replace the shave plate.

    PHOTO: Replace the shave plate.

  6. 06.

    Reinstall the skid shoes

    Loosely reinstall the skid shoes.

    Tip the snowblower down and set the skid shoes to the recommended height. Adjusting the skid shoes as they wear keeps the shave plate from scraping the ground, helping it last longer.

  7. 07.

    Reposition the drift cutters

    Adjust the drift cutters to their original positions.

Warning: Undertaking repairs to appliances can be hazardous. Use the proper tools and safety equipment noted in the guide and follow all instructions. Do not proceed until you are confident that you understand all of the steps and are capable of completing the repair. Some repairs should only be performed by a qualified technician.

Symptoms for gas snowblowers

Choose a symptom to see related snowblower repairs.

Main causes: loose drive clutch cable, damaged drive clutch cable, worn friction disc, scraper blade scraping the ground…

Main causes: dirty carburetor, clogged fuel filter, dirty spark plug, incorrect valve lash, leaky engine gaskets…

Main causes: clogged chute, damaged auger blades, broken shear pins, worn auger belt, damaged gear case, engine problems…

Things to do: replace the spark plug, change the oil, rebuild the carburetor, adjust valve lash, adjust or replace the b…

Main causes: snow build-up in chute, chute drive mechanism failure, bad chute control assembly…

Main causes: stale gas, clogged carburetor, clogged or broken fuel line, dirty spark plug, bad rewind starter, incorrect…

Main causes: dirty carburetor, stale fuel…

Main causes: clogged chute, snow build-up in auger housing, broken auger shear pins, auger drive belt needs adjustment, …

Main causes: broken shear pins, worn or loose auger drive belt, auger drive cable failure, damaged auger, bad gear case…

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