Those DARN lynch pins

[GreenYellow]

I'm a bit paranoid about losing lynch pins. The first time the pin doesn't function properly or feels easy to open, I pitch it. I carry replacements in the toolbox.

I've never lost one from the top link though.

When I was a kid my Dad always used the kind that the pin is short enough for the clip to go past it. If he couldn't find that kind and had to buy the longer ones, he cut the pin off. I've looked for that kind for several years but can never find them.

I made several pairs of the washered pins. They work great for hitching a QH to a pinned implement. Keeps the washer out against the end of the implement pin for easy hookup.

I've never seen the kind with the shorter pin. Interesting.
My tractor has a couple of pins that have square (or rectangle) clips rather than round. They seem to work a little better than the round ones. I've never seen them at a store. May be a dealership or OE thing.

 

[GreenYellow]

I'm a bit paranoid about losing lynch pins. The first time the pin doesn't function properly or feels easy to open, I pitch it. I carry replacements in the toolbox.

I've never lost one from the top link though.

When I was a kid my Dad always used the kind that the pin is short enough for the clip to go past it. If he couldn't find that kind and had to buy the longer ones, he cut the pin off. I've looked for that kind for several years but can never find them.

I made several pairs of the washered pins. They work great for hitching a QH to a pinned implement. Keeps the washer out against the end of the implement pin for easy hookup.

I've never seen the kind with the shorter pin. Interesting.
My tractor has a couple of pins that have square (or rectangle) clips rather than round. They seem to work a little better than the round ones. I've never seen them at a store. May be a dealership or OE thing.

 

[LD1]

I had thought about using some of them t-handle types with the pushbutton on top to release, but they are pricey.

I havent lost any in quite some time since I am using a quick hitch type lower hooks.

 

[sixdogs]

While at Tractor Supply, check out the black lynch pins. Those are super strong pins. I've not had one ever come loose but the zinc plated yellow ones have come off a couple of times.

Just don't get your finger caught in one while testing it.

Another trick is to put a large, properly fitting, washer between the pin and the ball.

View attachment 430888 View attachment 430889

Lots of great info here. The HD black hitch pins will stay on seemingly forever. Five years ago I bought 10 to use on my tiller. I stll have 10.

On the washer thing--that's a genius idea and one I plan to borrow.

 

[TJP89]

No disasters for me, but give me time. I did discover that 2 of the four bolts that hold the loader quick attach plate to the loader frame were gone, and another was missing, that could've been interesting. I replaced them and keep a close eye on those now. I have also managed to drive off from detaching an implement with half of it still hooked on, and I have pulled the PTO shaft off my brush hog several times. A tractor gives plenty of opportunities for human error to make itself apparent.

 

[ovrszd]

I havent lost any in quite some time since I am using a quick hitch type lower hooks.

Yeah, me too.

 

[Wagtail]

Lots of great info here. The HD black hitch pins will stay on seemingly forever. Five years ago I bought 10 to use on my tiller. I stll have 10.

On the washer thing--that's a genius idea and one I plan to borrow.

Regarding these 'bent' washers... I'm not familiar with them and, as far as I can determine, I don't have them on my tractor. What's the purpose?

 

[k0ua]

Regarding these 'bent' washers... I'm not familiar with them and, as far as I can determine, I don't have them on my tractor. What's the purpose?

I had several of them when I was using Carter quick hitches. If you have a Pats or Carters's or any other kind of quick hitch, the washer/pin combo as shown will keep the washer out there on the outer edge of the draw pin where it acts as a shoulder, that makes it easier/safer when hooking up and less chance of slipping off than just a pin alone. You just leave them on each implement all the time, as you are not slipping hitch balls over a pin now, you are just hooking the pins from below now. Make sense?

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

If you have a Pats or Carters's or any other kind of quick hitch..... Make sense?

Pat's yes, standard quick hitch no. Doesn't the rigid frame of the QH prevent and side to side movement and shouldn't need anything on the end of the pin anyway?

 

[k0ua]

Pat's yes, standard quick hitch no. Doesn't the rigid frame of the QH prevent and side to side movement and shouldn't need anything on the end of the pin anyway?

good point.

 

[newbury]

Found the chinese puzzle pins.

Rue rings

Rue Ring ? - Ring, Bow-Tie Locking & Circle Cotter Pins | Pivot Point Inc.

Note I found it by searching on "linch pins" in the google search box on TBN.
/edit - I misspelled it intentionally

It was the 3rd thread down, http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-ag-tractors/312926-lynch-pin-alternatives.html and the post was

Rue rings may work:

Rue Ring

I have not used them because they are not available in Canada.

I replaced the more exposed lower lynch pins on my 3 point arms with bolts and lock nuts.

And there's a ton of other pins there also.

 

[ovrszd]

Pat's yes, standard quick hitch no. Doesn't the rigid frame of the QH prevent and side to side movement and shouldn't need anything on the end of the pin anyway?

On most attachments, yes. But I've saw pics on here of users that didn't use an outer clip and their attachment was able to get off one hook of the QH.

 

[the old grind]

Been using PTO pins for years. They're long-ish and flop around a bit but stay where you put 'em.

Working on making up a few extra washers like those included with PEC, which IMO is the accessory that has paid for itself the most times over. tog

 

[bcp]

On most attachments, yes. But I've saw pics on here of users that didn't use an outer clip and their attachment was able to get off one hook of the QH.

The attachment must have been several inches narrower than specs, with really long pins. The implement would have to move sideways the length of the pin without the other side of the implement hitting the inside of the QH hook. None of mine have more than a small fraction of an inch side play, and the linch pins can't touch a QH hook.

Bruce

 

[joecdeere]

I use "R" pins, and just push them all the way through until they're hanging. Haven't lost a pin in 5 years. To remove, just tap out with hammer or whatever is in the toolbox.

 

[Wagtail]

I had several of them when I was using Carter quick hitches. If you have a Pats or Carters's or any other kind of quick hitch, the washer/pin combo as shown will keep the washer out there on the outer edge of the draw pin where it acts as a shoulder, that makes it easier/safer when hooking up and less chance of slipping off than just a pin alone. You just leave them on each implement all the time, as you are not slipping hitch balls over a pin now, you are just hooking the pins from below now. Make sense?

Sorry James but I'm not picturing it... so I've used my 'google-image-fu' of "bent washer pin tractor"...

OK. The washer has a second hole in the bent section for the lynch pin to go through and is used to keep the bushing from banging up against the lynch pin if your implement shifts. Right?

I've got the JD iMatch QH.

 

[bcp]

Some bent washer links:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/244380-diy-quick-hitch-washers.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-change-vs-quick-post3592869.html#post3592869

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/140908-problem-pats-ec-system-my.html

Bruce

 

[Degolyerent]

I use "R" pins, and just push them all the way through until they're hanging. Haven't lost a pin in 5 years. To remove, just tap out with hammer or whatever is in the toolbox.

http://s33.photobucket.com/user/Joecdeere/media/P1010010_zps69504533.jpg.html

I do the same thing with good results
John

 

[gwdixon]

Some bent washer links:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/244380-diy-quick-hitch-washers.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-change-vs-quick-post3592869.html#post3592869

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/140908-problem-pats-ec-system-my.html

Bruce

The bent washers with only one hole tend to flop and be too loose in my experience. If the lift arms on the implement are not a bit long then leaving the washers/lynch pins on can result in a muffed hook-up.

The two attachment points for the lynch pin keep the washers tight and out of the way. The post from bcp has several ways to achieve the result in the quoted post links. Obviously, there is an issue since others have developed unique ways to solve the matter.

I use the Pat's washers but add the smaller bent washer to capture the other end of the lynch pin. With the Pat's I grind a little off of the washer where the bail of the lynch pin contacts it to give full clearance.

A large standard (or grade 8) flat washer with two little washers welded on works better in my opinion because the lynch pin bail can fully engage and not ride against the bend on the large washer (like Pat's OEM without grinding).

Of course, this approach applies best to a Pat's Quick Connect since the tractor's lower arms are free to swing unless tightened down for no sway (not recommended for ground engaging implements).

The solid frame QH design should minimize the need for a washer. In fact, with a tight fitting solid frame, one might be able to get away with no lynch pin at all.

 

[mfreund]

Anybody else ever had a disaster over a lost pin?

I lost a pin on my rockshaft for the MMM on my 4310. The lift cylinder bent the rockshaft and tore a mounting bolt out of the rear axle housing. Had a machinist neighbor straighten the shaft and installed the torn out bolt with JB Weld. Been good for 3 yrs now. Hate to imagine what the axle housing would cost. The MMM rock shaft is $280. All because a $0.10 part. I use cotter pins bent all the way over on any pin that is not regularly removed. The clips I am talking about are the .125 wire ones.