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

 

[jeff9366]

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.

US Mail delivered today a pack of ten split key rings, nickel plated steel, 1-1/2" diameter, for $8.87 including shipping from United Kingdom.

Same day I ordered a pack of ten 1" key rings from a vender in the U.S. which have not arrived.

Both ordered via eBay.

 

[kco]

Rue rings are another option:

http://fastening-solutions.pivotpin...keycateg=100&keyprod=1043&SchType=2&keyType=P

I first learned of them on TBN when looking for replacements for hairpins on the 3 point stabilizer arms. I could not find rue rings available in Canada so ended up replacing the pins with bolts with lock nuts.

 

[k0ua]

Rue rings are another option:

Search Results On Pivot Point, Inc.

I first learned of them on TBN when looking for replacements for hairpins on the 3 point stabilizer arms. I could not find rue rings available on Canada so ended up replacing the pins with bolts with local nuts.

Wow!. I have never seen those. They sure look like they would be secure.

 

[OldMcDonald]

Just to confuse us all I note Pivot Point calls the item in the OPs photo a Hairpin cotter. I have always known them as R clips, and that is what they are called here.

 

[Guesseral]

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/...b33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_19807.jpg

My wife got one of these sets for me a couple of years ago and there are some smaller sizes. I didn't think I would ever use them but I have found myself drilling the holes a little larger and using these pins they work really well.

 

[jeff9366]

Wow!. I have never seen those. They sure look like they would be secure.

If I can surprise you, and surprise "Murph------" occasionally, I feel smart.

 

[k0ua]

If I can surprise you, and surprise "Murph------" occasionally, I feel smart.

Ha!, I bet you could surprise me with a lot of things you know. Everyone has a set of knowledge that is different than everyone else. When we get together like this and swap ideas, is when we all benefit!


James K0UA

 

[OldMcDonald]

Guesseral, Are lynch pins not the standard means of keeping bigger pins in place in your part of the world? Where I have travelled (widely) R clips are used in situations where the pin is very rarely removed, but lynch pins are the standard in UK, Australia and Europe generally. Despite my travels I am always intrigued by different ways of doing things -and more particularly, the different names we give to the same thing.

 

[Guesseral]

I was just referencing that I use these pins in place of what I call S pins, and yes I call these lynch pins. That is when ever I can remember that name.

 

[kco]

Guesseral, Are lynch pins not the standard means of keeping bigger pins in place in your part of the world? Where I have travelled (widely) R clips are used in situations where the pin is very rarely removed, but lynch pins are the standard in UK, Australia and Europe generally. Despite my travels I am always intrigued by different ways of doing things -and more particularly, the different names we give to the same thing.

We call them lynch pins here too OldMcDonald. As you suggest they are great for keeping larger pins in place providing those pins aren't likely to be snagged on bush or in contact with dirt or snow. The lynch pins are quick and convenient but easily opened by accident. The hairpins/R pins are harder to knock out but it does happen. As mentioned earlier I replaced my lower 3 point arm pins with bolts and locking nuts for better security. I have had the hairpins accidently knocked out while brush hogging.

My neighbour just got a new CK35. The loader quick attach pivot pins are secured with lynch pins. It looks to me like those lynch pins are likely to be knocked out. I would replace them with high grade bolts/lock nuts or something similar. The other option we discussed was to use ordinary cotter pins instead of lynch pins.

By the way....I was in the local auto parts store getting some 1/8" cable and crimp fittings for tire chain tensioners I'm building. Lo and behold I saw some rue rings on the wall. I said I had been unable to get them in Canada last year. The manager did not know what they were and had them for years. They were not in his current parts book but were in his inventory under a longer name than rue rings. I bought the entire stock of just five 3/4" and eight 5/8" at 25 cents and 24 cents each. I'm not sure I'll need them but they may fit my neighbour's bucket pins. I am curious to see how they work.