Loosing pins on FEL?

[PAB_OH]

While I was doing some brush clearing this weekend I lost two lynch pins out of the lower connecting pins on my KL130 FEL. Anyone else have this problem?

I stopped by TSC this morning and pick up some of the"Safety Locking Pins". The kind that have a large wire lock that slips over the end of the pin. I don't know how much better these will work and I've already bought them (4, I replace top and bottom pins) so I guess I'm just looking for some opinions.

Am I heading down the right path here or should I look at putting some bolts w/ locknuts in there? I would have really been ticked if I lost one of the connecting pins that hold the bucket to the FEL arms.

[DirtHauler]

Your not alone! I too lost a few. My CK30 came with some skinny too long lynch pins and tall grass and brush where pulling them off. So what I did was get some thicker shorter pins, which have a stronger bail spring, pulled the bucket pins out and drilled the holes to accept the larger pins. I haven't lost one yet or even had one "open up" thru all the brush etc.

[Egon]

Brush has a habit of snagging anything and everything that can be pulled out.

Either use the bolt and locknut method or carry lots of spares.

[dilbertnomore]

Lost a couple of lynch pins in the brush. Replaced all bucket lynch pins with bolts and lock nuts. Problem solved.

[IslandTractor]

I've even had brush pull out pins on my 3PT arms. Ditto the recommendations for bolts and lock washers if the problem continues.

By the way: congrats on your first post Dilbertnomore!

[Gittyup]

I had the same problem. I just wired the pins closed using utility wire, like that used to hang drop ceilings. It's worked so far. But, bolts and lock nuts would be better. I think they should come with bolts/nuts from the dealers, unless the buyer is purchasing other bolt-on attachments at the time.

[Highbeam]

I have seen the local dealer selling Kiotis new with bolts and nuts instead of the lynch pins. I lost one and had one open up so I started carrying spares. Being prepared like this has prevented the loss of any more pins. They are cheap though and one of the very few things that will fit in the OEM toolbox.

[vic4news]

I like to add a length of wire to the ring of the lynch pin and attach the other end of the wire to the tractor. That way if the lunch pin comes off it is still hanging on the tractor. This is good for pins that you use a lot, since it is still
easy to take the pin on and off.

Vic

[PAB_OH]

I like the wire idea a lot. I think i'm going to try that. I know they're inexpensive but I HATE loosing them.

Thanks for the ideas.

[Gittyup]

Originally Posted by PAB_OH

I like the wire idea a lot. I think i'm going to try that. I know they're inexpensive but I HATE loosing them.

Thanks for the ideas.

Yeah and lose one of those pivot pins, and a lot of bad things can happen before you even notice it's gone, and those pins aren't cheap. ......This reminds me to check my wires........