3-Point Hitch Replacing hitch pins with bolts

[beenthere]

From a recent post, I was reminded of replacing my seldom-used hitch pins with bolts and lock nuts.
I had a couple incidents when brush ripped the hitch pins loose and left the 3 ph arms dangling. I was fortunate to catch the problem before any damage was done (some have broken castings as a result of losing a pin).
Because I seldom (if ever) would need to remove the 3 ph arms, I replaced the hitch pins (the ones shown in the attached pic) with bolts and lock nuts. Same with the pins that attach the iMatch, as I seldom take it off (but did rip off the hitch pins on occasion).

 

[SPYDERLK]

From a recent post, I was reminded of replacing my seldom-used hitch pins with bolts and lock nuts.
I had a couple incidents when brush ripped the hitch pins loose and left the 3 ph arms dangling. I was fortunate to catch the problem before any damage was done (some have broken castings as a result of losing a pin).
Because I seldom (if ever) would need to remove the 3 ph arms, I replaced the hitch pins (the ones shown in the attached pic) with bolts and lock nuts. Same with the pins that attach the iMatch, as I seldom take it off (but did rip off the hitch pins on occasion).

I think I should probably do the same,
larry

 

[amaxwell]

:thumbsup:I haven't tried the bolts yet ,but switched all the regular lynch pins for the black heavy duty ones from Tractor Supply. So far I haven't had one of these to get pulled out by sticks yet. Just don't get any skin caught when closing them.:confused2:

 

[techwrtr2]

I've only lost one hitch pin on my 855 and that was while using the box blade in an attempt to break up ice on the drive (sort of worked).

I don't have an i-match but do have a Pat's easy change system. Not sure if it's an idea I read here or came up with on my own but I plan to buy some heavy washers, weld some nuts to them and then use bolts and red loctite to secure them. I don't have enough of the fancy bent washers the Pat's system comes with so this would suffice and maybe not come off.

 

[whateg0]

I find this interesting. I grew up on a farm. We used 3PH implements quite often, but I don't ever recall losing any pins. They were standard hitch pins with lynch pins to keep them in place. Why do y'all have these troubles? Just wondering.

Dave

 

[Don87]

I've only lost one hitch pin on my 855 and that was while using the box blade in an attempt to break up ice on the drive (sort of worked).

I don't have an i-match but do have a Pat's easy change system. Not sure if it's an idea I read here or came up with on my own but I plan to buy some heavy washers, weld some nuts to them and then use bolts and red loctite to secure them. I don't have enough of the fancy bent washers the Pat's system comes with so this would suffice and maybe not come off.

Red is considered permanent. Heat must be used to get things loose. Just be careful where you use it.

 

[Don87]

I find this interesting. I grew up on a farm. We used 3PH implements quite often, but I don't ever recall losing any pins. They were standard hitch pins with lynch pins to keep them in place. Why do y'all have these troubles? Just wondering.

Dave

Dunno the 'why'. can only say that I've lost several.

Presumably due to sticks getting in there and unlocking them(I lost several working a brush pile).

 

[SPYDERLK]

I find this interesting. I grew up on a farm. We used 3PH implements quite often, but I don't ever recall losing any pins. They were standard hitch pins with lynch pins to keep them in place. Why do y'all have these troubles? Just wondering.

Dave

Different kind of work probably. Back and forth over heavy brush is pretty effective at getting them off.

 

[E/S]

I use HD lynch pins and safety wire some of them closed. I mow large areas of sage brush, 2' + tall, this can open a pin fast.
If I were to use bolts I personally would use lock nuts on them.

E/S

 

[gwdixon]

I don't have an i-match but do have a Pat's easy change system. Not sure if it's an idea I read here or came up with on my own but I plan to buy some heavy washers, weld some nuts to them and then use bolts and red loctite to secure them. I don't have enough of the fancy bent washers the Pat's system comes with so this would suffice and maybe not come off.

A bit off topic, but here is the photo that you may be referring to.

The washer on the right has a black, heavy duty lynch pin. They are strong.

Just using a bolt through the two washers might work.

Using a nut instead of one of the washers would also work. It would seem to be a bit rigid. I'd use a nut on one side and a washer on the other if that was the choice.

If you weld the nut to the bolt's thread then it would be permanent - until the O/A torch is used.

 

[SPYDERLK]

A bit off topic, but here is the photo that you may be referring to.

The washer on the right has a black, heavy duty lynch pin. They are strong.

:thumbsup: Did you make those captive washers? If not please tell us were you acquired them.
Thanks,
larry

 

[gwdixon]

:thumbsup: Did you make those captive washers? If not please tell us were you acquired them.
Thanks,
larry

Sorry to say - they are homemade. Here is another photo that shows the raw materials. The original Pat's can be modified as well.

Why Pat's doesn't make something similar is the question. Except that it would require more labor than just drilling a hole and bending a washer like they do.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

I lost two lynch pins this weekend. First one I thought, "hmmm, how did that happen?" Second one a couple of hours later reminded me that I'm a slow learner. Happened while cutting small trees with the brush cutter.

Now off to TS to buy the heavy duty pins and new adjustable sway arms (buckled from the torque).

 

[Baby Grand]

I have had this happen when brush hogging. Now I use safety wire to lash those lynch pins shut, just like E/S suggested. Works great and easy to undo.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have had this happen when brush hogging. Now I use safety wire to lash those lynch pins shut, just like E/S suggested. Works great and easy to undo.[/Q

That's what I do. Wire is cheap, and so am I.

 

[jonyyuma]

Cool idea with washer wings formed to keep the keys in place.

 

[hosspuller]

I noticed some of my lynch pins had weak closing force. After taking it apart I found the spring force was backward relative to the hole position on the pin. Rebending the spring seems to help.

 

[Short Game]

I mow miles of bumpy ground. My 72" grooming mower's wheels swivel on one inch vertical shafts and the mowing height is set with spacers on that shaft. At the top of the shaft are 1/4" lynchpins. I've started replacing them with stainless bolts and locknuts. Not only was I losing pins and spacers by twigs undoing the lynchpins, but there was 3/8" of up-and-down play that was hammering the pins until they broke. I drilled one inch holes in pieces of 3/8" plate and added them to the stacks of spacers to stop the pounding. That stopped the pins from breaking. I've lost too much time walking the fields looking for my lost spacers, and sometimes, a whole wheel assembly.

 

[Ford tractor]

I hate losing pins. Such a pain, especially when you are waaaay out in the woods. I keep spare top link and lower link pins and a selection of hitch pins and similarly sized bolts/nuts and a pair of large adj wrenches. Heck, I even have a spare lower pin that bolts into the attachment. Broke one of them before and dropped a tiller. Had to leave it to get the part. Really don't like leaving equipment out.

 

[RoyJackson]

:thumbsup:I haven't tried the bolts yet ,but switched all the regular lynch pins for the black heavy duty ones from Tractor Supply. So far I haven't had one of these to get pulled out by sticks yet. Just don't get any skin caught when closing them.:confused2:

Those lynch pins are great...and I'll re-iterate...watch your fingers!! These things are like a freakin' bear trap when they snap shut!!