Lynch Pins Coming Off

[MUDONTHETIRES]

I only lose them where the lift arms attach to the tractor and only when I use my neighbors heavy duty 5ft brush hog, so I went with bolt and lock nut that someone else mentioned in another post. I tried the black pins from tsc but they came off too.

I’m going to use bolts and nuts on the front of the lift arms. The right front lift arms has fell off twice so hopefully this will eliminate any more issues. Thank you!

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

Before applying the springs the pins would rotate on their axis which made it very easy for them to come off now they have tension and stay flat or horizontal and have never lost another pin sence, hope this makes sense.

Thank you for the pictures! I’m in the process of choosing between two finish mowers and this will work!

 

[cqaigy2]

I learned a lot from this thread.

First time i used my snow plow, with caster wheels setup like the op has, i popped the same kind of lynch pin off one of them. I wasn't too happy that it was hidden in the road someplace. I used a piece of wire as an interim fix. Fortunately my wife found the pin in the spring while walking, off to the side of the road.

 

[Alan46]

Before applying the springs the pins would rotate on their axis which made it very easy for them to come off now they have tension and stay flat or horizontal and have never lost another pin sence, hope this makes sense.

As promised, you my friend get the comment of the day award.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

Simple, quick, inexpensive, but don't pull an OMG where's the key !
View attachment 703707

Perfect idea!!!

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

For the pins that are not removed often, just put in a 1/4" bolt with a lock nut in place of the lynch pins.
Having a quick hitch like the iMatch facilitates this switch to bolts, as well as those lynch pins used to secure the arms to the tractor pivot pins.
I lost one once, and almost cost me a broken casting.

Doing that on the front of the lift arms, thank you!

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

Some questions about how these come out. I've lost several over the years and believe one way is branches are springing up and grabbing the ring, just guessing but tree limbs have created havoc for me in several different ways. Some are stiff as metal and some are springy and seem unbreakable and can slip in almost any where and grab and puncture and pull "stuff". My 2 cents.
I keep planning on getting some hardened steel bolts with nuts the right size and bolting some of my attaching points down or in.

I agree 100%. Either slack in the lift arms, branches, design of tractor or something has caused four pins to come out in the last five times I’ve used it.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

As promised, you my friend get the comment of the day award.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

I learned a lot from this thread.

First time i used my snow plow, with caster wheels setup like the op has, i popped the same kind of lynch pin off one of them. I wasn't too happy that it was hidden in the road someplace. I used a piece of wire as an interim fix. Fortunately my wife found the pin in the spring while walking, off to the side of the road.

I’ve learned a lot as well. Thanks again to everyone!

 

[Johnb0311]

There are several posts about this but not many recently so a new day means new ideas. When I brush hog a different lynch pin falls off nearly every time. I've brush hogged five times in the last two months and have lost four lynch pins.

Facts: I do have a lot of overgrown weeds and saplings and I do use the HD black lynch pins.

My question is how do I keep them from coming off? I don't care about losing them so much as I do about tearing up my equipment. Chaining them to somewhere on the tractor just keeps me from losing the pin but it doesn't stop the inevitable damage from the pin coming out. Is there a better more secure pin out there other than a bolt and nut? Duct tape? Key rings? Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

I find using a quick hitch where I don't need to use lynch pins solved the problem, but not all my equipment can use the the quick hitch, plus I have to use an extender on the PTO shaft. Try closing the ring on the lynch pin with the sloped side away from center. They seem to not open up and fall out that way.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

I find using a quick hitch where I don't need to use lynch pins solved the problem, but not all my equipment can use the the quick hitch, plus I have to use an extender on the PTO shaft. Try closing the ring on the lynch pin with the sloped side away from center. They seem to not open up and fall out that way.

I’ll try that, thank you!

 

[RSKY]

I have put this story on here before. And it really wasn't the lynch pin but the result would be the same.

About twenty years ago my then 70-something mother called me and in a panicked voice told me to come to her house right now. I figured she had shot somebody or something and broke all speed limits getting there. To make a long story short the lynch pin hadn't come off, but the nut holding the bolt on the left 3-pt had come off. The result was the same as the lynch pin being lost. She had reached the end of the field and turned sharply holding the left brake and the mower had caught on the left tire. By the time she got the tractor stopped the mower was resting against the left time and the blade had cut thru the tire three times. When I got on the tractor, and a 4600 Ford is tall for it's hp, I could reach out my arm and grab the blade while facing forward on the tractor. Had to pull the mower off the tractor with my truck, have a guy come out and replace the tire, and straighten the lower arms using a torch.

When mowing I check my pins every time I get off my tractor.

RSKY

 

[Egon]

If lots of problems Use a bolt with nylon lock nut.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

I have put this story on here before. And it really wasn't the lynch pin but the result would be the same.

About twenty years ago my then 70-something mother called me and in a panicked voice told me to come to her house right now. I figured she had shot somebody or something and broke all speed limits getting there. To make a long story short the lynch pin hadn't come off, but the nut holding the bolt on the left 3-pt had come off. The result was the same as the lynch pin being lost. She had reached the end of the field and turned sharply holding the left brake and the mower had caught on the left tire. By the time she got the tractor stopped the mower was resting against the left time and the blade had cut thru the tire three times. When I got on the tractor, and a 4600 Ford is tall for it's hp, I could reach out my arm and grab the blade while facing forward on the tractor. Had to pull the mower off the tractor with my truck, have a guy come out and replace the tire, and straighten the lower arms using a torch.

When mowing I check my pins every time I get off my tractor.

RSKY

Wow! Thanks for sharing your story. That's proof that damage can and will happen instantly.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

If lots of problems Use a bolt with nylon lock nut.

Thank you for your input. I have purchased those along with padlocks.

 

[jjp8182]

Interesting thread ...have learned a lot may have to try the padlock idea on the lift pins at some point.

Have had both lynch pins and R-style cotter pins come out before and in places where I don't need to change it I've gone with safety wire. The lynch pin was on top of caster on my finish mower; fortunately it was one of the rear ones so when the caster fell out it didn't go through the mower. Talked to the dealer to get suggestions and found out that some had the same thing happen, but it went through the mower.... and that some even had bolts with double nuts come off.

That's when it hit me to combine the practice of safety wiring things from aviation to tractors .... and bought this kit:

Safety Wire Twister Kit | Aircraft Spruce ®

Safety Wire Twister Kit Kit containes: 04-134SR - Safety Wire Twister Plier, 04-134SR6 - Safety Wire Twister - Mini, 43-020 - Stainless Steel Aircraft Safety Wire

www.aircraftspruce.com

Which makes wiring things shut really simple since wire twisting pliers can make some pretty decent/consist twists in wire.

The R-style cotter pin that came out was on the pin holding hydraulic cylinder to the grapple lid .... pretty sure it was pulled out by a branch. Luckily I found the main pin back (though not the cotter pin) .... and that's when wired the cotter pin closed and onto the main pin.

I figure if the wire can be used to keep the bolts holding airplane propellers in place, then it'd probably work for keeping lynch pins in place on a finish mower. I probably went a bit overboard with the wiring the lynch pins shut on the finish mower (4yrs ago), but I haven't had them come off since.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

Interesting thread ...have learned a lot may have to try the padlock idea on the lift pins at some point.

Have had both lynch pins and R-style cotter pins come out before and in places where I don't need to change it I've gone with safety wire. The lynch pin was on top of caster on my finish mower; fortunately it was one of the rear ones so when the caster fell out it didn't go through the mower. Talked to the dealer to get suggestions and found out that some had the same thing happen, but it went through the mower.... and that some even had bolts with double nuts come off.

That's when it hit me to combine the practice of safety wiring things from aviation to tractors .... and bought this kit:

Safety Wire Twister Kit | Aircraft Spruce ®

Safety Wire Twister Kit Kit containes: 04-134SR - Safety Wire Twister Plier, 04-134SR6 - Safety Wire Twister - Mini, 43-020 - Stainless Steel Aircraft Safety Wire

www.aircraftspruce.com

Which makes wiring things shut really simple since wire twisting pliers can make some pretty decent/consist twists in wire.

The R-style cotter pin that came out was on the pin holding hydraulic cylinder to the grapple lid .... pretty sure it was pulled out by a branch. Luckily I found the main pin back (though not the cotter pin) .... and that's when wired the cotter pin closed and onto the main pin.

I figure if the wire can be used to keep the bolts holding airplane propellers in place, then it'd probably work for keeping lynch pins in place on a finish mower. I probably went a bit overboard with the wiring the lynch pins shut on the finish mower (4yrs ago), but I haven't had them come off since. :cooly)View attachment 704059

Thanks so much for your input! I did purchase some padlocks, bolts and nuts and also safety wire with pliers through Amazon. I started using the wire yesterday on some pins I don’t take off much and it seems sturdy enough! I haven’t used the bolts yet or the padlocks but the padlocks are definitely going on the front of my lift arms. Thanks for the photo also!

 

[loulblades]

Yes this has been a problem for me also. Mainly on the belly mower when mowing up under pine trees. I destroyed two wheels (and a blade) when I ran over the wheel
I have used zzvyb6 's remedy for some time. Bolts with nylon lock nut where pins have a tendency to come out.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

Yes this has been a problem for me also. Mainly on the belly mower when mowing up under pine trees. I destroyed two wheels (and a blade) when I ran over the wheel
I have used zzvyb6 's remedy for some time. Bolts with nylon lock nut where pins have a tendency to come out.

I hate to see so many folks having the same problem but I’m kinda glad it’s not just me. I was kind of feeling like I was doing something wrong. Thanks for your input!

 

[Gee Ray]

When you all were talking about safety wire my mind went to rebar wire ties. They are very cheap and quick. The aviation wire tire is better but expensive. This video will show them on rebar but transfer the info to the lynch pins.