Found this cotter pin...

[hiker88]

I just finished doing some snowblowing with my CK30 and Meteor 60" snowblower. When I got done and put the tractor away, I found this rather large cotter pin lying in the driveway. It was a very uneventful clean up with no issue etc. I looked the tractor over but I can't seem to find anyplace where this would go. If anyone has any ideas, I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[300UGUY]

It's not a cotter pin, it's a hitch clip, usually used on a hitch pin. It functions as a retainer to keep the pin from falling out.

 

[hiker88]

back in\below the three point area?

 

[300UGUY]

yup. Could be other spots.

 

[k0ua]

Drawbar retaining pin. Get down and on your hands and knees, and look up from the ground to the Drawbar pin. You will find the pin now has no retainer clip.

James K0UA

 

[hiker88]

Thanks guys, just got back in from looking and that was it. I have no idea how that could have come out unless it was never in all the way. It took a good amount of pressure to get it back in there. Luckily, the pin was still there, I would have hated to hit that withe snowblower with the next storm.

 

[k0ua]

Thanks guys, just got back in from looking and that was it. I have no idea how that could have come out unless it was never in all the way. It took a good amount of pressure to get it back in there. Luckily, the pin was still there, I would have hated to hit that withe snowblower with the next storm.

What I did with mine was take out the pin and turn in over and put it in from the bottom and put the retainer clip back on. Yes the pin would now fall out onto the ground , but now with the hair clip on the top of the drawbar, nothing can get to it and grab it. With it below the drawbar any stick or brush you run over can grab it and pull it out. Another ideas is replace it with a small bolt with a ny-lock nut on the end. Of course that negates the idea of having a quick toolless way to remove the drawbar. But I never remove mine.

James K0UA

 

[jeff9366]

What I did with mine was take out the pin and turn in over and put it in from the bottom and put the retainer clip back on. Yes the pin would now fall out onto the ground , but now with the hair clip on the top of the drawbar, nothing can get to it and grab it. With it below the drawbar any stick or brush you run over can grab it and pull it out. Another ideas is replace it with a small bolt with a ny-lock nut on the end. Of course that negates the idea of having a quick toolless way to remove the drawbar. But I never remove mine.

James K0UA

I am even more paranoid than James. I replace hairpin clips in vulnerable locations with 1", 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" key rings, after reversing pins so retaining clip hole is on top, per James, above. Packs of key rings are very cheap on eBay; some are available in stainless steel.

As you may be working in salty conditions periodically check key rings for corrosion.

I do not have salt problem in Florida because my tractor is stored inside with a de-humidifier.

 

[k0ua]

I am even more paranoid than James. I replace hairpin clips in vulnerable locations with 1", 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" key rings, after reversing pins so retaining clip hole is on top. Key rings are very cheap on eBay. As you may be working in salty conditions periodically check key rings for corrosion.

I do not have salt problem in Florida and my tractor is stored inside with a de-humidifier.

Another good idea ^^^

 

[jeff9366]

I wish cotter rings , tempered coils of spring wire similar to key rings, but more openly wound and therefore less fussy to attach/take off, were available on eBay.

LINK TO MANUFACTURER:

http://fastening-solutions.pivotpin...acktoname=Rue+Ring™&bc=100|1026|1043y&pane=sb