Auger housingThe open-fronted scoop at the front that holds the auger and impeller.
Discharge chuteThe discharge chute: the tube the snow is thrown out of. It turns to aim the snow, and a deflector at its tip sets how high it goes.
EngineThe engine, which drives both the auger and the wheels.
AugerSpiral blades that turn to pull snow into the housing. They push it toward the middle.
ImpellerA fast-spinning fan behind the auger. It throws the snow up and out of the chute. Only two-stage machines have one.
From the side: 9 6
Chute crankA rod from the handle that turns the chute left or right. Also called the chute directional control.
Auger controlA bail under the handle grip. It must be squeezed for the auger and impeller to turn.
Shift leverThe shift lever, which picks the ground speed forward or in reverse.
HandleThe handle, which the operator holds to steer from behind.
Drive wheelsPowered by the engine to move the machine forward and back.
Skid shoesRunners on each side of the housing. They set how high it rides above the ground.
The front: 3 1
Shear pinsThe shear pins, which fix the auger to its shaft. If the auger hits something hard they break, protecting the gearbox.
How this list was compiled: Read 2026-09-28. (1) Wikipedia, Snow blower, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_blower : snow is moved by an auger or impeller rather than blown; a movable chute directs it across 180 degrees; on a single-stage machine the auger throws the snow out of the discharge chute and touches the ground; on a two-stage machine the auger feeds a high-speed impeller that throws it out, and the auger does not touch the ground, so it works on unpaved surfaces; clearing a jammed auger by hand is a known injury risk. (2) Cub Cadet 945 SWE two-stage snow thrower operator’s manual, https://archive.org/details/manualzilla-id-7442907 : auger, auger housing, impeller, auger control, drive control, shift lever, chute directional control and chute crank, skid shoes, shear pins, handle, choke, primer, electric and recoil starters. Licence: own work
The drawing: Drawn for this site by script, 2026-09-28. Own work, nothing traced. Licence: own work
How it works
These are the parts of a snow blower on a two-stage machine: first from the side, then the front of the auger housing, where the snow goes in. Start with the 5 main parts.
Read the full guide
How it moves snow
The auger at the front turns to pull snow into the auger housing and feed it to the impeller, a fast fan that throws it out of the discharge chute. On a single-stage machine the auger throws the snow itself.
At the handle
Squeeze the auger control to start the auger. The shift lever picks the speed, and the chute crank turns the chute to aim the snow. Skid shoes under the housing set how high it rides.
If the auger jams, stop the engine and clear it with a tool, never a hand: a jammed auger can spring back with force.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between a single-stage and two-stage snow blower?
A single-stage machine uses only the auger, which touches the ground and throws the snow out. A two-stage machine adds an impeller to throw the snow, and its auger does not touch the ground.
What are shear pins on a snow blower?
Pins that fix the auger to its shaft. If the auger hits something hard, they break first, protecting the gearbox. They are replaced with new pins.
What do skid shoes do?
They are runners on each side of the auger housing. Raising or lowering them sets how close the housing rides to the ground, for paved or gravel surfaces.