Branson BH86 backhoe pin

[Outlawmoon]

Afternoon All -
Back here again looking for answers.

I have the Branson BH86 backhoe (Ansung BH860 - 2016 edition). I have the Branson thumb kit on the backhoe. The longer pin that connects the thumb and bucket pivot together got bent during one of my stump removal days.... It is difficult to change buckets w/this bent pin.

Does anyone have the p/n for that pin? Do you know where I can get one of these pins?

Thank you!!!!

 

[rScotty]

Do you know a local metal-working shop or machinist? Or an auto/marine machine shop there in Oak Harbor? I know there are several general machine shops in that area - or used to be. They make a lot of pins and parts for odd ball boat fittings.

If so, simply take your old pin down to them, they will measure it and make one up out of stronger steel - all for probably less than you can buy a replacement for that factory pin.
rScotty

 

[Outlawmoon]

Thanks rScotty for the suggestion. I did have one made about a year ago...bit of a hassle, the first one was too short, even the second is too short but I made it work. Had to wait two weeks during which time they kept my original pin. That shop is gone now.

Only other machine shop I am aware of here is the NAPA store here and this is out of their wheelhouse according to them. There are some shops in Anacortes and Mount Vernon/Burlington as well. I was just hoping to find a source that I wouldn't have to travel back and forth to and down backhoe for a couple of days to weeks. All the shops are either pretty busy or shut down due the current pandemic....

 

[rScotty]

It used to be that every small town had a machine shop and apprentices that could turn out a pin in short order.

If you can measure yours, then you might take a look at McMaster.com and search under pins. Many different diameters and alloys complete with specs. McMaster-Carr sells by the foot, so there is a chance you could specify whatever length you wanted. They ship by UPS very reasonably and quickly. Then drill a couple of holes for cotter pins and it's done. I like to put a washer between the bushing and the cotter pin.

Since your pin bent instead of breaking, it is probably a fairly low strength steel alloy & should be drillable and slightly malleable. In facr, if the steel is a typical soft alloy, you could even drill one hole for a cotter pin and slightly mushroom the other end to retain it. If you do that, be sure to use good fitting washers.
rScotty

 

[Outlawmoon]

Thanks rScott!

There used to be a couple of machine shops and welders here, they have mostly been swallowed up by the local heavy equipment/construction companies and the one independent welder that was really good - retired.... Now pretty much you have to go to the larger towns to try and get something like this done.

Interesting site McMaster.com has!

The pin is a little more complex than just a cotter pin - that would have easy!!

This one has a bolt on one end and and a grease fitting on the other end to get the grease inside the the bushing with the pin.... I can see where I could just ignore the grease fitting and grease this now and again by pulling out the pin...

I thank you for your assistance!! Much appreciated!