Skid shoes might seem like small parts, but they play a big role in protecting your snowblower. These hard plastic or metal plates attach to the sides of the auger housing, lifting the auger and scraper blade slightly off the ground. This helps prevent damage to the shave plate and auger housing while letting your snowblower glide smoothly over driveways and sidewalks.
When to adjust the skid shoes
Most snowblowers arrive from the factory with the skid shoes set in a raised position for shipping. Before your first use, you’ll need to adjust them to the proper operating height.
Over time, skid shoes wear down from contact with pavement. When that happens, your shave plate or the sides of the auger housing may sit too close to the ground; usually about 1/8 inch or less. That’s your cue to readjust. Properly adjusted skid shoes keep your snowblower at the right height for efficient clearing and reduced wear.
How to adjust skid shoe height
Follow the steps in the video to learn how to adjust snowblower skid shoes to the correct ¼-inch height.
Position a sheet of cardboard on the ground in front of the snowblower. The cardboard should fit under the blower housing and shave plate but not under the skid shoes.
Roll the snowblower onto the cardboard so the shave plate rests on the sheet and the skid shoes are positioned on either side.
Loosen the mounting nuts on both skid shoes, but don’t remove them.
Push the skid shoes down so they sit flat against the ground.
Tighten the mounting nuts securely to lock them in place.
This setup keeps the shave plate about ¼ inch above the surface - perfect for most paved driveways.
When to replace the skid shoes
Even with proper adjustment, skid shoes gradually wear out. Many are reversible, so when one side wears down, you can flip them over to extend their life.
Replace both skid shoes when the surfaces can no longer lift and support the shave plate and auger housing at the right height. You can follow the steps in our How to replace snowblower skid shoes repair guide for detailed instructions.
Keeping your skid shoes properly adjusted and in good condition helps your snowblower run smoothly and prevents costly damage. This adjustment method applies to most popular models, including Craftsman, MTD, Yard-Man, Husqvarna, Ariens, and Cub Cadet.