A shear pin is a mechanical detail designed to allow a specific outcome to occur once a predetermined force is applied. It can either function as a safeguard designed to break to protect other parts, or as a conditional operator that will not allow a mechanical device to operate until the correct force is applied.

What are shear bolts used for?

What is the purpose of a shear bolt? Shear bolts are used to protect equipment from sudden impact or excessive load. Think of a shear bolt that is designed to protect the gear box incase of overload, like a fuse protects the electrical circuit from a short or over load.

Can you use a regular bolt as a shear bolt?

Never use a regular bolt to replace a “shear pin” bolt! ... The shearing of the shear pin bolt releases all force off the snow auger allowing it to no longer be driven but to spin freely. The blower drive train still continues to spin but with a sheared pin the snow auger no longer turns.