Snow Blower Accessories

Essential Snow Blower Accessories to Keep Your Driveway Clear All Winter

Why snow blower accessories actually matter

Think of your snow blower like a trusty truck: it can do the heavy lifting, but without the right tires, tools, and maintenance gear it won’t perform at its best. Accessories transform a basic machine into a tailored winter warrior, helping you throw snow farther, maintain traction on iced-over surfaces, and keep repairs quick and inexpensive. Rather than replacing the whole unit at the first sign of wear, the right add-ons extend life, improve safety, and make every clearing job faster and less back-breaking.

Top replacement parts: augers, belts, and shear pins

When the auger wears out or a belt snaps, your snow blower becomes a paperweight. Carrying spare parts and knowing how to replace them keeps downtime to a minimum. These are the parts that most commonly need replacement, and having them on hand is like packing a spare tire before a long trip.

Augers and auger kits

Augers are the teeth of the machine—if they’re dull or bent, your blower won't cut through packed snow or ice. Replacement augers come in steel and rubber options; steel handles rough surfaces and packed ice better, while rubber augers are gentler on paved driveways and reduce the chance of scattering gravel. Measure your auger diameter in inches and match part numbers to your model for the best fit.

Drive belts and replacement belts

Belts transmit power from the engine to the auger and impeller. A stretched or cracked belt can slip and diminish clearing performance. Keep a spare belt in the garage that matches the original’s length in inches and profile type. Swapping a belt is usually straightforward and can be done in under an hour with basic tools.

Shear pins and shear bolts

Shear pins are sacrificial parts designed to break if the auger hits a rock or chunk of concrete, protecting the gearbox. They’re inexpensive and small—usually measured in inches—and you should always carry a handful. Replace them with the exact specification or a manufacturer-approved equivalent to ensure the safety system works when you need it.

Wear items: scraper blades and carbide shoes

If you want a clean pavement after every pass, wear parts are your secret weapons. These components take the abuse so the rest of the machine doesn’t. Swap them periodically to maintain peak scraping performance.

Scraper blades (or skid shoes)

Scraper blades sit at the front of the auger housing and make direct contact with your driveway. Over time they wear down and reduce snow clearance effectiveness. Options include rubber, steel, and hardened carbide-edge blades. Steel is durable but can scratch delicate surfaces; rubber is softer and better for decorative pavers; carbide offers long life for frequent heavy use. Measure blade length in inches before ordering a replacement.

Skid shoes and carbides

Skid shoes control the height of the housing and protect the underside of the blower. Adjustable skid shoes give you consistent clearance in inches, which is great when you’re switching between asphalt and concrete. Carbide skid shoes last longer on rough surfaces and help the machine glide over packed snow like a sled on ice.

Chute and throw improvements: rotators, extensions, and deflectors

Want to aim snow exactly where you want it? Chute accessories let you direct throw without stepping in front of spinning parts. They’re comfort and performance upgrades that turn guesswork into precision.

Chute rotators and crank handles

Chute rotators let you control the direction of discharge from the operator station. Manual crank handles provide reliable, low-tech control, while powered rotators—some electric, some cable-actuated—make adjustments on the fly. If your current rotator is stiff or sluggish, lubrication or a replacement can restore smooth operation and reduce wrist fatigue.

Chute extensions and deflectors

Extensions add extra distance so you can throw snow over fences or into higher piles, measured by extension length in inches or feet. Deflectors change the arc of the throw and reduce blow-back. If your machine spits snow too close, a deflector or extension is like giving it a longer arm to toss with.

Traction and stability upgrades: tire chains, tracks, and wheel weights

Slipping and spinning are annoying—and dangerous. Traction accessories keep your snow blower planted so it moves forward instead of just kicking its wheels like a frustrated horse.

Tire chains and cables

Tire chains for snow blowers are sized by tire diameter and width in inches. They bite into packed snow and ice, dramatically improving forward motion and lateral control on slopes. Choose chains with a self-tightening system for easier installation and better fit, and carry pliers or a small wrench to make adjustments in the cold.

Wheel weights and ballast

Adding a bit of weight to the drive wheels can increase traction without overcomplicating maintenance. Wheel weights come in pounds and clip on or bolt in place. For two-stage blowers that spin fast, act like a counterweight to keep the machine moving steadily through heavy drifts.

Conversion tracks

For extreme conditions, track conversion kits replace wheels with rubber tracks, providing continuous contact and unmatched grip. Tracks are an investment measured in inches of tread width and add stability on slopes and deep powder, making the blower feel like a mini-tank that simply keeps going.

Control, comfort, and protection: cabs, heated grips, and lighting

You don’t have to be out in the cold longer than necessary. Comfort and visibility accessories make clearing time safer and less miserable, so you finish faster and with warmer hands.

Cab enclosures and windshields

Cab kits or windshields shield you from wind and flying snow, turning the operator’s position into a small cockpit. Clear enclosures keep visibility high and can shave minutes off each session because you’re not stopping to warm up. Make sure the cab fits your blower’s handle width in inches and leaves access to controls.

Heated handles and hand warmers

Heated grips plug into the machine’s power system or run off a battery and keep fingers nimble for longer. They’re measured by voltage and grip circumference in inches, and they make fine control of chute direction and speed changes feel natural even in single-digit temperatures.

Work lights and LED upgrades

Short winter days mean you might be clearing snow before sunrise or after sundown. LED light kits bolt onto the frame and light up the path like a runway strip, reducing missed spots and unexpected curb strikes. They’re compact, low-power, and worth installing if you operate at dawn or dusk.

Maintenance kits and tune-up essentials

Regular maintenance keeps a snow blower reliable. Think of a tune-up kit as a winter survival pack: spark plugs, oil, fuel stabilizer, and filters. These little things make a big difference when temperatures drop and every start-up counts.

Spark plugs, oil, and fuel care

Spark plugs tend to foul or degrade over time; keep spares matched by thread size and gap in inches. Use the manufacturer-recommended motor oil—often listed in quarts or gallons—and consider a winter-grade oil if you frequently operate in very cold weather. Fuel stabilizer helps avoid gum buildup during idle periods and keeps carburetors running clean.

Belts, bearings, and shear pin packs

Buy multi-packs of shear pins, a couple of belts, and cartridge bearings if your model uses them. These are the quick-swap items that let you fix problems in the driveway instead of scheduling a service visit. Store replacements in a small weatherproof box near your garage door.

Storage, covers, and transport accessories

How you store a snow blower affects longevity. Covers and lift kits protect against rust and make seasonal storage painless so the machine wakes up fresh when the first flake falls.

Weatherproof covers and rust protection

A breathable, waterproof cover keeps dust and moisture off the unit while preventing mold. Add a light coat of rust-preventive spray to exposed metal measured in ounces, and your blower will thank you next season with a smoother startup and fewer seized bolts.

Transport brackets and tie-downs

If you haul your blower on a trailer or pickup bed, secure tie-downs and a compact wheel chock prevent movement in transit. Ratchet straps rated in pounds and padded corners protect the machine’s finish and keep the auger from banging during bumps on the road.

How to choose the right accessories for your snow blower

Choosing the right accessories is like picking the right shoes for a hike—consider terrain, weather, and how often you’ll be out. A few quick questions can guide you to the right set of add-ons.

Consider the blower type and size

Single-stage, two-stage, and three-stage machines have different accessory needs. Single-stage units often accept rubber attachments and covers; two- and three-stage blowers support heavier-duty parts like steel augers and track kits. Match accessories to your machine’s model number and specifications in inches and pounds for a correct fit.

Think about typical snow conditions

Are you dealing with light, powdery snowfall or heavy, wet drifts? For light powder, chute extensions and deflectors may be enough. For heavy, packed snow, invest in carbide blades, stronger belts, and traction upgrades. If you face deep drifts often, consider a wider auger replacement measured in inches to move more snow per pass.

Set a budget and prioritize

Accessories range from a few dollars for shear pins to several hundred for track conversions. Prioritize safety and wear parts first—shear pins, belts, and scraper blades—then comfort items like heated grips. Spreading purchases across seasons keeps your wallet and your driveway happy.

Where to compare prices and read reviews

Before buying, compare specs and prices across reputable retailers and comparison platforms. Look for customer reviews that mention model compatibility in inches and pounds, longevity, and real-world performance in conditions similar to yours. A thorough comparison can save you money and avoid the headache of returns or ill-fitting parts.

Final tips for winter readiness

Start the season by giving your blower a full inspection: check tire pressure, test the starter, and run the machine for a few minutes to listen for odd noises. Keep a dedicated toolbox with basic spares—shear pins, a belt, a spark plug, and a small bottle of engine oil—so you can make on-the-spot repairs. With the right accessories and a little prep, your snow blower will be more dependable than a sweater on a cold day.

Conclusion: Investing in the right snow blower accessories is an investment in time saved, effort reduced, and winter frustration prevented. Whether you need to replace a worn scraper blade, add a chute extension, or fit tire chains for traction, the right add-ons let you tackle snow like a pro. Start with safety and wear items, then upgrade comfort and performance as your budget allows. Winter doesn’t wait—make sure your machine is ready when the first storm arrives.