Craftsman 486248462 46" snow thrower attachment Parts

On the Craftsman 486248462 46-inch snow thrower attachment, the model and serial numbers are on a decal attached to the snow thrower. In most cases, you will find that decal on the rear area of the attachment, where it’s easy to read when you’re standing behind it. See the Craftsman 486248462 owner’s manual for the exact identification note.

Where to look on this model

Check these common decal locations on the 486248462 attachment:

• Rear of the snow thrower housing (standing behind the attachment)
• Side of the auger housing near the frame brackets
• Near the lift handle or lift bracket area
• On the main frame close to the mounting points

What numbers to write down

For parts lookup and service, we recommend recording:

• Model number (for this attachment: 486248462)
• Serial number (unique to your unit)
• Date of purchase (helpful for reference)

Quick ID checklist (before you order parts)

Use this quick checklist so you don’t end up with mismatched parts:

• Confirm the decal says Craftsman and 486248462
• Copy the serial number exactly (include any letters)
• If the decal is worn, clean it gently and use a flashlight at an angle
• Match the part to the correct diagram section (housing, chute, lift, drive)

Model number vs. serial number (why both matter)

Number type	What it tells us	Used for
Model number	Which design/version you have	Correct parts diagrams and part compatibility
Serial number	Your unit’s unique build identifier	Service history and manufacturing tracking

Why it matters

The Craftsman 486248462 is a tractor-mounted attachment, and many attachments look similar across years. Using the correct model and serial information helps us match the right belts, skid shoes, and hardware the first time.

Last updated: January 2026

Yes, you can spray a light coating on the Craftsman 486248462 snow thrower attachment to help reduce snow sticking and to help protect bare metal from rust. For best results on the chute and housing, we recommend a silicone spray or a non-stick protectant; original WD-40 works short-term but does not last as long.

What to spray (and what not to)

Use a light coat and keep spray off belts, pulleys, and any friction surfaces.

• OK areas: inside of the discharge chute, inside of the auger housing, chute ring contact area (lightly)
• Avoid: drive belt and auger belt, idler pulleys, clutch/idler assembly, any braking or traction surfaces
• Best choices: silicone spray (longer-lasting slick film), seasonal non-stick spray made for snow equipment
• If using original WD-40: treat it as a quick water-displacing, short-duration option
• After washing: a light oil film on exposed metal helps prevent rust during storage

For model-specific lubrication points and where the manual calls for oil vs spray lubricant, follow the lubrication section in the 486248462 owner's manual.

Quick steps for the Craftsman 486248462

1. Shut off the tractor engine, remove the key, and let moving parts stop.
2. Brush out packed snow and ice; let the attachment cool to outdoor temperature.
3. Apply a thin coat to the inside surfaces (wipe excess so it does not drip).
4. Cycle the chute rotation and tilt to spread the film.

Where the manual focuses lubrication

The manual emphasizes oiling pivot points and using spray lubricant on controls and cables; it also notes that a light coat of wax can help prevent sticking inside the housing and chute.

Area	What to use	Goal
Chute and housing interior	Silicone or non-stick spray	Reduce clogging and sticking
Pivot points and idlers (as specified)	Oil (per manual)	Smooth movement, less wear
Belts and pulleys	Nothing	Prevent slipping and belt damage

Why it matters

A slick, dry film inside the chute helps wet snow slide through instead of building up and clogging. Keeping lubricant off belts and pulleys prevents slippage that can reduce throwing performance.

Last updated: January 2026

No, snowblower shear pins are not universal. For Craftsman model 486248462, the augers are designed to use a specific shear bolt and lock nut so the bolt breaks at the right load to protect the auger shaft and gearbox; using a “close enough” pin can cause damage.

What this means for Craftsman 486248462

In the 486248462 owner's manual, the spiral augers are secured with shear bolt 710-0891 and hex lock nut 43064. Those specs matter because the bolt is intended to shear if the auger hits a foreign object or jams in ice.

• Match the OEM part number (not just diameter and length).
• Avoid substituting a standard hardware-store bolt; the grade and shank style can be wrong.
• Replace only the sheared bolt(s); inspect the auger and housing for damage first.
• Keep spares with the attachment so you are not stuck mid-storm.

Quick fit check (what must match)

What to match	Why it matters	What can go wrong if wrong
Diameter and length	Ensures proper fit through auger and shaft	Slop, binding, or won’t install
Shear rating (bolt grade/material)	Controls when it breaks to protect driveline	Gearbox damage or constant breakage
Shank/threads placement	Keeps shear point in the correct location	Bolt may not shear correctly
Nut/retainer style	Prevents loosening during vibration	Lost bolt, auger stops turning

Why it matters

A shear pin is a sacrificial safety device. When it breaks at the correct torque, it helps prevent expensive damage to internal components like the auger gear assembly and shafts.

Last updated: January 2026

A snowblower typically lasts 15 to 20 years with normal residential use and consistent maintenance. For the Craftsman 486248462 46-inch 2-stage snow thrower attachment, lifespan is driven less by “age” and more by wear items (belts, skid shoes, scraper) and off-season storage; see the maintenance schedule in the 486248462 owner's manual.

What most affects lifespan

• Maintenance and lubrication: keeping pivot points and moving joints lubricated reduces wear.
• Belt condition and tension: worn or loose belts slip, overheat, and shorten component life.
• Surface type: gravel and uneven surfaces accelerate wear on the scraper plate and shoes.
• Impacts and jams: hitting hidden objects can shear bolts and stress the auger/gear housing.
• Storage: washing off salt and storing dry helps prevent rust and seized hardware.

Wear items to plan on replacing

On the 486248462 attachment, these are common “life-extenders” because they protect the housing and keep performance strong:

• Snowblower scraper blade 24309BL3 (takes the brunt of ground contact)
• Snowblower attachment skid shoe 24279BL1 (sets ground clearance and reduces housing wear)
• Belts and hardware as needed (inspect before each season)

Quick rule-of-thumb table

Condition	Typical outcome	What to do
Maintained, stored dry	15 to 20 years	Follow seasonal cleaning and lubrication
Heavy use, poor storage	8 to 12 years	Replace wear parts early; prevent rust
Frequent impacts/jams	Shortened life	Inspect augers, replace shear bolts promptly

Why it matters

A snow thrower attachment can run for decades, but only if the “sacrificial” parts wear out instead of the expensive assemblies. Replacing skid shoes and the scraper blade on time helps prevent damage to the auger housing and keeps the tractor from working harder than it should.

Last updated: January 2026

For the Craftsman 486248462 46-inch snow thrower attachment, the “year” is not reliably determined from the model number alone. The most accurate way is to read the serial number from the decal on the attachment and use that serial format to identify the manufacturing date.

Where to find the information on model 486248462

We look for the identification decal attached to the snow thrower attachment itself (not the tractor). The owner’s manual calls out that the model and serial numbers are on a decal on the snow thrower.

• Check the attachment frame or housing for a decal that lists MODEL NUMBER and SERIAL NUMBER
• Record the serial number exactly as printed (letters and numbers)
• If the decal is dirty or faded, clean the area and use a flashlight to read it
• Keep the serial number with your paperwork for future parts lookups

For diagrams and the identification note, use the 486248462 owner’s manual.

How Craftsman dating typically works (general guidance)

Craftsman serial numbers are not all encoded the same way across product lines and years. Some serial formats include a date code (month/day/year or month/year), while others require cross-referencing the serial with the manufacturer’s production records.

Common serial-number patterns you may see

What you see in the serial	What it often means	What to do
A serial that starts with digits that look like a date	May include month/day and a year digit	Try decoding, then sanity-check against purchase date
Letters mixed with digits	Often a plant/line code plus date info	Use the full serial when looking up age
Separate engine tag (on self-propelled units)	Engine has its own model/serial	Use the attachment decal for 486248462; engine tag applies to the engine only

Why it matters

Knowing the approximate manufacturing year helps when you are matching parts, belts, skid shoes, and hardware revisions. For example, wear items like skid shoes and scraper blades are commonly replaced over the life of a snow thrower attachment.

If you are also shopping wear parts for this model, examples include the snowblower attachment skid shoe 24279BL1 and the snowblower scraper blade 24309BL3.

Last updated: January 2026

For the Craftsman 486248462 46-inch snow thrower attachment, we recommend using Sears Home Services for professional repair. They can diagnose issues with the attachment (belts, chute controls, augers) and service it correctly using the procedures in the Craftsman 486248462 owner's manual.

What to do before you schedule service

• Confirm the model number on the decal is 486248462 (attachments often look similar across years).
• Note what the attachment is doing (for example: augers stop turning, chute clogs, or the unit vibrates).
• Check for obvious wear items: belts, skid shoes, scraper plate, and shear bolts.
• If the augers will not turn after hitting an object, inspect the shear bolts first.
• Write down any missing hardware or damaged brackets you can see.

Quick checks you can do safely (common on this model)

These are model-appropriate checks pulled from normal operation and maintenance guidance for the 486248462 attachment:

Symptom	Common cause	Typical fix
Augers stop turning	Belt loose/broken or shear bolts sheared	Adjust/replace belt; replace shear bolts
Chute clogs often	Ground speed too fast or throttle too low	Slow down; run at higher throttle
Attachment rides up over snow	Skid shoes set too high or speed too fast	Lower skid shoes; reduce speed

Parts that are often involved in repairs

If a technician tells you a wear item needs replacement, these are examples of compatible parts listed for this model:

• Lawn tractor snowblower attachment ground drive belt 46961 (drive belt)
• Snowblower attachment skid shoe 24279BL1 (helps set scraper clearance)
• Snowblower scraper blade 24309BL3 (wear surface at the bottom of the housing)

Why it matters

This is a tractor-mounted, 2-stage attachment; correct belt routing, belt tension, and skid shoe adjustment affect both performance and safety. Using the correct model-specific procedures helps prevent repeat failures and reduces the chance of damage to the auger housing.

Last updated: January 2026

On the Craftsman 486248462 46-inch snow thrower attachment, the augers usually stop moving because a shear bolt has broken, the auger belt is loose or broken, or the belt routing/tension is incorrect at the clutch/idler assembly. Use the Craftsman 486248462 owner's manual troubleshooting and belt-routing diagrams to confirm the exact setup.

Safety first

• Shut off the tractor engine and remove the key
• Disengage the attachment clutch
• Wait for all moving parts to stop
• Keep hands out of the auger and chute; use a wooden stick to clear packed snow

Quick checks (most common causes)

1. Shear bolts: If you hit a hidden object or ice jams the augers, the attachment is designed to shear the bolts so the gearbox and auger shaft are protected.
2. Auger belt condition: A frayed, glazed, stretched, or broken belt will slip and the augers will not turn.
3. Belt tension and routing: On this model, the auger belt must be routed over the auger pulley and twisted 1/4 turn to run under the two side idler pulleys; incorrect routing can stop the augers.

What to inspect and what it means

What you observe	Likely cause	What to do next
Tractor PTO engaged but augers do not move	Shear bolts sheared	Replace shear bolts and lock nuts (use correct size and install fully)
Belt squeals or slips under load	Belt loose or worn	Re-tension using the tensioning chain; replace belt if damaged
Belt looks intact but jumps off pulleys	Routing/keeper issue	Re-route belt and verify belt keepers are positioned correctly
Auger shaft turns but spirals do not	Shear bolts missing/broken	Replace shear bolts and confirm alignment holes are matched

Parts that commonly relate to this symptom

If you confirm the belt is the issue, the compatible replacement for this model is the agri-fab lawn tractor snowblower attachment ground drive belt 46961.

Why it matters

A non-moving auger is often a deliberate protection event (shear bolts) or a belt/tension problem. Fixing the root cause prevents repeated failures and helps protect the auger drive components from damage.

Last updated: January 2026