Who Makes Snow Devil Snowblowers? The Surprising Truth Revealed

You own a Snow Devil snowblower, a trusty machine that has served you well. But when the time comes for a repair or a replacement part, you hit a wall. A quick search for “Snow Devil” yields confusing results, dead ends, and a frustrating lack of official information. This is a common problem for owners of these machines, leaving them wondering who is actually behind the brand and, more importantly, where to turn for support.

The core of the issue lies in a widespread manufacturing practice known as badge engineering or private labeling. The answer to the question of who makes Snow Devil snowblowers is not a standalone company but a giant in the outdoor power equipment industry. Unmasking this manufacturer is the key to unlocking a wealth of parts, manuals, and repair knowledge.

The Manufacturer Unmasked: The MTD Products Connection

The vast majority of snowblowers bearing the “Snow Devil” brand name were manufactured by MTD Products Inc. For those unfamiliar with the name, MTD (which stands for Modern Tool and Die) is a massive American company that has been a dominant force in outdoor power equipment for decades. They are the invisible hands behind a huge number of brands you see in big-box stores and local dealerships.

MTD specializes in producing equipment for other companies, who then sell it under their own private brand names. This is why you won’t find an official “Snow Devil” website or dedicated support line. Snow Devil was a house brand, likely for retailers like Menards, created to offer a competitively priced machine. MTD also produces equipment for well-known brands such as Yard-Man, Troy-Bilt, Bolens, Cub Cadet, Yard Machines, and many Craftsman models. Knowing this connection is the first, most crucial step in solving any maintenance or repair problem you might have.

A Brief History of a Discontinued Brand

The Snow Devil brand was most prominent from the 1990s through the 2010s. These machines were built to be affordable and functional, targeting homeowners who needed a reliable snowblower without the premium price tag of brands like Ariens or Toro. They featured common and reliable engines from manufacturers like Tecumseh and LCT (Liquid Combustion Technology).

Over time, as retail partnerships shifted and MTD’s own core brands gained more market share, private label brands like Snow Devil were phased out. While the name may have disappeared from showroom floors, the machines themselves were built to last. Many are still in operation today, a testament to their solid, straightforward engineering.

The Real Key: Finding Your MTD Model Number

Since your Snow Devil is an MTD-made machine, the name “Snow Devil” is largely irrelevant when searching for parts or manuals. The single most important piece of information on your snowblower is the model and serial number tag. This tag is the direct link to the machine’s exact specifications and parts list in the vast MTD database.

First, you need to locate this identification tag. On two-stage snowblowers, it’s typically found on the main frame or housing, often between the wheels on the rear cover plate. The model number will be an 11-character code, usually starting with “31”. A common MTD model number format looks something like 31AE660H522. This code is your golden ticket. Ignore any branding and use this number in your search.

Decoding the MTD Model Number

While the full number is needed for precise parts matching, the structure of the number itself tells a story about the machine. Understanding this can help you identify its basic characteristics even before you look it up.

For example, the first two digits often indicate the product type. For two-stage snowblowers, this is almost always “31”. The characters that follow provide information about the series, engine, and the original retailer for whom it was built. This system allowed MTD to create dozens of variations for different brands that were mechanically identical but had different paint jobs and logos.

Model Number Prefix	Represents	Example
31A, 31B, 31AS, etc.	Product Line (e.g., Two-Stage Snow Blower)	31AE6GKG897
600, 700 Series, etc.	Model Series / Chassis Size / Features	31A-660H522
Final Characters	Original Retailer & Minor Revisions	31AE660H522

Solving Common Snow Devil (MTD) Problems

Armed with your MTD model number, you can now effectively troubleshoot common issues. These machines are generally reliable, but their age means certain wear-and-tear items will inevitably need attention. The good news is that because MTD produced so many similar models, parts are widely available and affordable.

One of the most critical aspects of keeping any piece of equipment functional is routine inspection. This applies to more than just snowblowers. For instance, understanding the correct garage door arm angle is essential for the safe and smooth operation of your garage door, preventing unnecessary strain and costly repairs down the line. A similar mindset should be applied to your snowblower.

Problem: Engine Won’t Start

This is the most frequent complaint for any small engine that sits for long periods. The number one cause is old, stale fuel. Gasoline, especially ethanol-blended fuel, can go bad in as little as 30 days, leaving behind gummy deposits that clog the tiny passages in the carburetor. If your snowblower won’t start, begin with the simplest solutions first.

First, drain the old fuel from the tank and carburetor bowl. Refill with fresh, high-octane gasoline. Next, check the spark plug. If it’s dirty or fouled, clean it or replace it. If these simple steps don’t work, the carburetor likely needs to be cleaned or rebuilt, a common task for any small engine repair shop.

Problem: Auger Won’t Turn or Throws Snow Weakly

If the engine is running but the auger isn’t spinning, the first thing to check is the shear pins. These are small bolts designed to break if the auger hits a rock, a dense chunk of ice, or another obstruction. This sacrificial failure protects the much more expensive auger gearbox from catastrophic damage. Always have a few spare shear pins on hand; they are a cheap and essential part.

If the shear pins are intact, the issue is likely a worn or broken auger belt. The belts that transfer power from the engine to the augers and wheels are rubber and will stretch, crack, and eventually fail over time. Replacing them is a standard maintenance procedure that can restore your machine’s performance.

Problem: The Snowblower Won’t Propel Itself

When the wheels won’t turn, the problem usually lies with the friction disc drive system. This system uses a rubber-edged wheel (the friction disc) that presses against a metal plate spinning off the engine. Over time, the rubber edge wears down, reducing its grip and causing the wheels to slip or not engage at all. Replacing the friction disc is a more involved repair than changing a belt but is well-documented in MTD service manuals.

Is a Used Snow Devil Snowblower a Smart Purchase?

You might find a Snow Devil snowblower for sale online or at a garage sale for a very attractive price. Given its age and discontinued status, is it a wise investment? The answer depends entirely on your budget and willingness to perform minor repairs. These are not fancy machines; they lack modern conveniences like power steering or heated hand grips.

However, their simplicity is their greatest strength. They are built with heavy-gauge steel and have straightforward mechanical systems that are easy to understand and repair. Because they are MTD products, parts are plentiful and cheap. For someone who is mechanically inclined and needs a powerful snowblower for a low initial cost, a well-maintained Snow Devil can be an excellent value.

Beyond the Manual: The Power of Community and Sustainable Repair

The true advantage of owning a vintage, MTD-made machine lies in the vast community of users and the inherent sustainability of keeping it running. While the manufacturer provides the parts, the community provides the wisdom. Online forums and video-sharing platforms are filled with decades of collective knowledge from owners who have encountered and solved every conceivable problem with these snowblowers.

This taps into the growing “right to repair” movement. Unlike modern, complex machines with proprietary electronics, older snowblowers like the Snow Devil are incredibly accessible. Their design encourages hands-on maintenance, empowering owners to extend the life of their equipment and reduce waste. The satisfaction of fixing your own machine can be immense, much like tackling other complex home repairs, such as determining why your shower panel separating from wall might be occurring and how to fix it properly.

The durability of these older machines often comes down to their materials. The robust, all-metal construction is a stark contrast to the extensive plastic components found on many new models. Of course, even the most durable materials have their unique maintenance challenges, a different set of problems than, for example, understanding why is my asphalt still soft after a recent paving job.

Conclusion: Your Snow Devil’s True Identity

The mystery of the Snow Devil snowblower is solved not by finding a forgotten company, but by understanding its true identity as a product of MTD. This knowledge transforms the machine from an orphaned, unsupported piece of equipment into one with a massive, accessible ecosystem of parts and information. Your key is the MTD model number.

By using that number, you can easily find the correct parts, download the operator’s manual, and watch detailed repair guides. These simple, robust machines were built to clear snow effectively and to be maintained. With a little resourcefulness, your Snow Devil can continue to be a reliable winter workhorse for many years to come.