Lynch Pins Coming Off

[MUDONTHETIRES]

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.

 

[Sberry]

Black tape

 

[Avenger]

I assume you're snapping the ring over the pin? Usually these are so tight that they wont come off.

But since I am assuming you're snapping that ring over the pin, and they are still coming off, then you're dealing with some very rough terrain and/or vibrations in order to get that ring to come loose and pop that pin out. Maybe slow down or find the reasons as to why?

I've never lost a pin, on the 3 point, while brush hogging, and I've done some very rough terrain. I've lost pins on the link adjustment bars, and on the 3 point while using the box blade by pushing dirt up against the pins, forcing them out, but never while mowing.

Maybe wrap a zip tie around the shank of the pin and around the ring to keep the ring from coming up? If that makes sense?

 

[kenmbz]

I found some lynch pins are created better than others.
The ones that came with my flail fell off quickly.
Went to TSC and hand picked ones that seems springy and tight to the pin. Seem to have less issues when I pick them individually.
We will see how long they last though.
Seems we might need a lynch pin or cotter for the lynch pins :-(

 

[CalG]

A careful wrap and twist of black iron wire will secure those pins.

 

[arrow]

I always lose these in the woods while logging. I even tried to use the "chained ones" but could not keep those either as the small chain would simply break off. When roving about my old logging lanes with a metal detector, I found 9 of the things that are lost over a period of 30 years w/o doing every lane.
So in following Sberry's advice, I cut a strip of Gorilla tape and wrap that around the stem and wire but I only do that on the pins that are seldom if ever need removing.

The fear of "losing" is not the real fear. My three point gets all discombobulated when one drops off and if I have a heavy weight on it or digs into the ground and I'm looking where I'm driving in-between peaks back there, things get bent.

 

[arrow]

A careful wrap and twist of black iron wire will secure those pins.

I like this idea. It's a pain to remove tape if you have too.

 

[zzvyb6]

Forget the pins. I use equivalent sized bolts with nylon self locking nuts. I don't want to have a link pin fall out and bend the support arms, so lynch pins are out for me.

 

[ericm979]

I've yet to have one of these fall out. Do you know how they're getting undone?

Maybe a different style than the usual round wire spring clips would resist getting opened and lost?

 

[5030]

I do the same deal (search through the bins at the tractor store or TSC for ones with more spring closing pressure) but there is a drawback to them and that is, the ones with more spring pressure are also finger smashers if you happen to have a digit in the wrong place at the wrong time. Been there, did that and it hurts, they seem to like to smash down on the end of your finger.....lol

I've only lost a couple over the years but I keep extras in each tool box on the tractors and implements.

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

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.

How much play are you allowing in your arms? And are your pins the largest that will fit?

Edit: and which direction are your pin holes set? Have not lost any on mine in 3 years.
View attachment 703187

 

[the old grind]

I use this type often. They stay on quite well when I'm mowing in the rough.

 

[LD1]

ITs a common issue when mowing brush.

Best thing to do is get a quick hitch.....if all your implements are compatible. Then you never need to remove lynch pins and you can simply use bolts/nylocks instead for the QH pins.

 

[Thomas]

Yet to have problem with snap over type.

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

Me neither, have worn out a few sets of hairpins on my 3 point though.

 

[joecdeere]

I used to lose a lot of them mowing, started using large “R” pins pushed all the way through so they’re just hanging, haven’t lost one since

 

[CalG]

I use this type often. They stay on quite well when I'm mowing in the rough.

View attachment 703215

The pins for the three point lift arms ball ends really need to offer a flat face to the thrust loads.

Pins configured as in the attached image are not designed for maximum benefit. They do offer Length, which can be useful.

I've lost a few too many pins off the lift arms myself. A fella can sure tear up a bunch of steel if the loss isn't noticed right away.

 

[m7040]

Lost lynch pins on the bucket for the excavator when using it for brush clean up a few times. The Lynch pin on the excavator is significantly stronger than then the regular 3 point Lynch pins. They will fit a regular 3 point if you want to try it. In my case I changed it to bolts with double nuts. No more problems

 

[pmsmechanic]

I used to lose a lot of these on the crazy wheels of my tph mower. If you backed under the evergreen branches to mow the grass, the branch could hook the lynch pin and it was gone. My crazy wheels turn on a 1" shaft so I took a 1" large washer, larger od than a lynch pin. I welded a 1" high piece of muffler pipe to the od of the washer. I then ground a partial circle or V of metal out of the top of the muffler pipe just in one spot. You grind out just enough to be able to slide the lynch pin through the hole in the shaft. Install the lynch pin and give the washer a turn and the lynch pin stays put. I haven't lost one since and I don't need to fool around with greasy wrenches to remove a bolt.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

Black tape

Thank you!