Which snowblower brand is most reliable?
The most reliable snowblower brands are the ones with proven long-term parts support and heavy-duty drivetrains; in our experience, Ariens and Toro are consistently strong picks for gas snowblowers, Honda is known for premium durability, and EGO is a top choice for cordless reliability. For your MTD model 31AM63EF706, reliability also depends on keeping wear items like belts and shear pins in good shape.
Reliability is usually a mix of build quality and how easy it is to keep the machine running season after season.
- Starts consistently in cold weather (fuel system and ignition stay healthy)
- Throws snow without frequent belt slipping or auger issues
- Has a drivetrain that holds up (friction drive, gears, cables)
- Uses common wear parts that are easy to replace
- Has good parts availability over time
| Brand | Best fit | Typical strengths | Typical tradeoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ariens | Two-stage gas | Rugged build, strong auger/impeller systems | Heavier, often higher cost |
| Toro | Single-stage and two-stage | Easy handling, strong performance in many models | Some models prioritize convenience over heavy-duty feel |
| Honda | Premium two-stage gas | Excellent durability and engineering | Higher upfront cost |
| EGO | Cordless electric | Low maintenance, easy starting | Battery runtime and cold-weather capacity planning |
| MTD (including many MTD-built variants) | Value-focused gas | Widely serviceable, common parts | Reliability depends heavily on maintenance and timely wear-part replacement |
Even a great brand will feel unreliable if common wear parts are stretched, glazed, or out of adjustment.
- Replace worn auger belts if the auger slows or slips under load (see snowblower auger drive belt 256963)
- Keep spare shear pins on hand; they protect the gearbox when you hit ice chunks or debris
- Inspect and adjust clutch/drive cables if engagement feels weak or inconsistent
- Lubricate key points before and during the season (wheels, hex shaft, auger shaft)
- Change oil on schedule and check the spark plug before the first storm
Choosing a “reliable brand” helps, but reliability is mostly earned through maintenance and fast replacement of wear items (belts, cables, skid shoes, shave plate). That is what prevents downtime in the middle of a storm.
Last updated: February 2026
How do I tell how old my snowblower is?
To tell how old your MTD snow thrower model 31AM63EF706 is, we use the model and serial number tag on the machine and decode the serial number date code. On many MTD-built units, the serial number includes a build date (often year and week or year and day-of-year).
Look for a sticker or metal tag on the snowblower’s main frame. Common locations include:
- Rear of the frame near the wheels
- Side of the auger housing (lower front area)
- Under the handle panel or near the engine mounting area
- On the chute support area
If the tag is missing or unreadable, the engine itself often has a separate model/type/code label that can help narrow the engine’s build date.
MTD serial formats vary by production run, but these patterns are the most common:
- Year + week format (example: a year digit followed by a 2-digit week)
- Year + day-of-year format (example: year digit followed by a 3-digit day)
- Full year embedded (less common, but some tags include a 4-digit year)
| What you see in the serial number | What it usually means | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 1 digit + 2 digits | Year + week of the year | Approx build week |
| 1 digit + 3 digits | Year + day of the year | Approx build date |
| 4-digit year | Calendar year | Build year |
Knowing the build year helps us match the correct parts and revisions for your 31AM63EF706, especially for wear items like belts, cables, and shear pins that can change across production runs.
When you are ready to maintain or repair the unit, these are common age-related replacements:
- Snowblower auger drive belt 256963 (part number 954-04050) for auger engagement issues
- Shear pins (used to protect the auger/gearbox if you hit ice chunks or debris)
- Skid shoes and shave plate for scraping performance and housing protection
- Clutch and speed selector cables if controls feel loose or won’t fully engage
For step-by-step help on locating tags and doing basic maintenance, use our DIY guide: how to make your snowblower last longer.
Last updated: February 2026
Can I use 10w30 instead of 5W30 in a snowblower?
Yes, you can run 10W-30 in an MTD snow thrower like model 31AM63EF706, but 5W-30 is the better choice for typical snowblower conditions because it flows easier in cold weather and helps with cold starts and fast lubrication.
The key difference is cold-temperature flow. The lower the first number with the “W”, the easier the oil pumps and splashes around the engine during a cold start.
- 5W-30: better cold-start protection; preferred for freezing temps
- 10W-30: thicker when cold; can crank slower and lubricate slower in very cold weather
- If you store the snowblower in an unheated shed or garage, 5W-30 is the safer everyday pick
- If you only operate in milder winter temps and store it warm, 10W-30 can work fine
- Mixing viscosities is not ideal; if you are changing grades, do it at an oil change
| Your typical conditions | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Below freezing most of the time | 5W-30 | Easier starting and faster lubrication |
| Around freezing or above | 5W-30 or 10W-30 | Both can work; 5W-30 still starts easier |
| Stored in a heated space | 10W-30 is acceptable | Less cold-start penalty |
| Hard starting in cold weather | 5W-30 | Reduces drag during cranking |
- Check the oil level on a level surface before each use
- Change oil at least once per season (or every 25 to 50 hours of use)
- Warm the engine briefly before draining (oil drains more completely)
- Do not overfill; overfilling can cause smoking and poor running
- If the engine is hard to start in cold weather, switch back to 5W-30 at the next change
Snowblower engines spend a lot of time starting cold and running in freezing air. Using an oil that flows quickly at startup reduces wear and helps the engine reach stable operation faster.
For more winter maintenance tips that help your machine start and run better, use our guide: how to make your snowblower last longer.
Last updated: February 2026
What is the typical lifespan of a gas snowblower?
A gas snowblower typically lasts 10 to 20 years with normal homeowner use and routine maintenance (fresh fuel, annual oil changes, and off-season storage). For your MTD 31AM63EF706 snow thrower, replacing wear items like belts and skid shoes on time is what most often keeps it running longer.
- Light use (small driveway, a few storms/year): 15 to 20 years
- Moderate use (regular storms, average driveway): 10 to 15 years
- Heavy use (long driveway, wet snow, frequent use): 8 to 12 years
- Commercial or near-commercial use: 5 to 10 years
- Old fuel left in the tank or carburetor during storage
- Skipping oil changes or running low on oil
- Hitting newspapers, ice chunks, or gravel (auger jams and impact damage)
- Running with loose or glazed belts (slipping creates heat and wear)
- Letting the scraper and skid shoes wear down until the housing drags
- Change engine oil at least once per season (more often with heavy use)
- Use fresh, stabilized fuel and run the engine dry before long storage
- Inspect and replace shear pins after any auger jam
- Keep the drive system adjusted and replace worn belts when they slip
- Lubricate moving points and check fasteners before the first storm
| Symptom | Most common cause | What to check/replace |
|---|---|---|
| Auger does not spin or slips | Worn or stretched auger belt | Snowblower auger drive belt 256963 |
| Poor scraping, leaves snow behind | Worn shave plate or skid shoes | Shave plate, skid shoes |
| Auger stops suddenly after hitting something | Shear pin broken (by design) | Shear pins |
A snowblower usually “wears out” from neglected fuel and normal wear parts, not from the housing itself. Staying ahead of belts, shear pins, and wear surfaces helps your MTD 31AM63EF706 stay reliable and prevents bigger repairs.
For step-by-step belt service, use our DIY help: how to replace a snowblower belt video.
Last updated: February 2026
