Eric,
I can't answer your question, but I'd like to "tag-a-long" a shear bolt question of my own. With any luck, the wisdom of this board will be able to address both issues at once.
In preparation for winter, I checked the 2 shear bolts on my Woods SS60 snowthrower. I figured it's better to get familiar with them now, before they shear and I have to replace them in the bitter cold. Anyway, the manual specifies them as both being 5/16"x1" long bolts. One of them is on the tractor end of the PTO shaft and the other is on the auger chain sprocket.
I removed them both, and sure enough, they are the size specified. However, the PTO bolt is a grade 8 (6 dashes) and the sprocket bolt is a grade 5 (3 dashes). I was expecting grade 2!
My dealer thought that was a bit odd and was going to look into it. While I had the bolts out, I picked up a couple of grade 2 replacements. I wanted Grade 5, but as is always the case, the hardware store didn't have the Grade 5 bolts in that size.
My question: If I use grade 2, could I cause any damage? By my reasoning, I figure they'll shear before the grade 5's or 8's would. If they shear too easily, then I figured I'd try grade 5's, once I pick some up.
But the grade 2's should work in a pinch.
It sort of defeats the purpose of using the same size shear bolt for both applications if you have to keep two different types (hardnesses) of bolts on hand.
Any comments?
And yes, I know, a new snowblower with plenty of spare shear bolts guarentees that there won't be a flake of snow within our property all winter. /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif
~Rick