7 Best Locking Linch Pins For Tractor Implements Old Farmers Swear By
Secure your implements with pins that won’t fail. We cover the 7 best locking linch pins, tested and trusted by veteran farmers for their durability.
You’re halfway across the field when you hear it—that sickening clatter of metal on metal, followed by the lurch of your tractor. You look back to see your brush hog sitting crooked, disconnected from one side of the three-point hitch. A five-cent linch pin just cost you an hour of frustration and a long walk back to the barn.
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Why a Good Linch Pin Is Non-Negotiable
A linch pin is the simplest, most critical piece of hardware connecting your tractor to your implement. It’s a locking pin that passes through the end of a shaft, most often on your lower lift arms, to keep an implement from sliding off. When it fails, the results range from a major inconvenience to a dangerous, uncontrolled situation.
The difference between a cheap, flimsy pin and a quality one is stark. A good pin is made from high-carbon, heat-treated steel that resists shearing forces. Its locking ring is spring steel, designed to snap shut with authority and stay that way, even under constant vibration from a tiller or mower.
Don’t mistake all shiny pins for strong ones. The finish matters, too. A quality zinc or chromate coating prevents rust, which doesn’t just look bad—it can weaken the pin and cause the locking ring to seize up. A pin that you can’t easily open or close is just as useless as a broken one.
Ultimately, a reliable linch pin is about peace of mind. It’s knowing that the 1,000-pound box blade behind you is securely attached, letting you focus on the work instead of worrying about your equipment. It’s a tiny investment that protects your much larger investments in your tractor and implements.
SpeeCo S070557: A Classic, Reliable Choice
There’s a reason you find SpeeCo pins in just about every farm supply store and old barn. They are the definition of a standard, no-nonsense linch pin that simply works. The design hasn’t changed in decades because it doesn’t need to.
This pin is your daily driver for most light- to medium-duty implements. Think landscape rakes, small spreaders, or a light-duty drag harrow. The spring-loaded ring is strong enough to stay put but not so stiff that you need pliers to open it on a cold morning. It’s the perfect balance of security and usability.
A&I Products Self-Locking Pin for Heavy Work
When you hook up a heavy, ground-engaging implement like a subsoiler or a loaded-down box blade, the amount of vibration and shock is immense. This is where a standard linch pin can sometimes work its way loose. The A&I Products self-locking pin is built to solve this exact problem.
Its design features a "gate" or secondary locking mechanism integrated into the ring. Once the pin is inserted and the ring is closed, the gate drops into place, effectively preventing the ring from accidentally opening. It takes a deliberate, two-step motion to remove it, which is exactly what you want when pulling something that puts a lot of stress on the connection points.
While it might be overkill for a simple carry-all, this pin is essential for tasks involving high vibration or the risk of the implement catching on an obstacle. The extra second it takes to install is cheap insurance against a dropped implement. Consider it mandatory for any heavy tillage or earth-moving work.
CURT 25113 PTO Pin for Secure Drivelines
A PTO pin is not just any linch pin, and you should never treat it as one. It’s specifically designed to secure a PTO driveshaft to the tractor’s output shaft. The CURT 25113 is a prime example of a pin built for this critical, high-torque application.
Unlike a standard linch pin, a PTO pin often has a square or rectangular head. This shape prevents the pin from rotating, which is crucial because the PTO shaft itself is spinning at high speed. A rotating pin could wear out the hole or even work its way free. Using a standard round-headed linch pin on a PTO shaft is a serious safety risk.
The locking mechanism on a CURT PTO pin is also more robust. It’s designed to withstand the unique rotational forces and vibrations of a driveline. When you’re running a post-hole digger, a tiller, or a finish mower, the last thing you want is the driveshaft disconnecting. Always use the right pin for the job, and nowhere is that more important than with the PTO.
This gas-powered post hole digger features a robust 43cc engine and durable alloy steel drill bit for efficient digging in various soil conditions. Its user-friendly design includes an extended pull cord, comfortable grip, and conveniently located emergency stop switch.
Forney 60461: The Go-To for Quick Repairs
You will lose a linch pin. It will happen in the farthest corner of your property, probably when you’re already behind schedule. The Forney 60461 is the pin you keep stashed in your tractor’s toolbox for exactly this moment.
Forney is a widely available brand known for solid, dependable hardware. Their linch pins are well-made from quality steel with a decent zinc coating. They aren’t fancy, but they are strong and reliable. When you’ve lost the specialized pin for your post-hole digger, a Forney pin will get you back to the barn safely. It’s the universal backup that prevents a minor mishap from ending your workday.
Specialty-Products Yellow Chromate Lynch Pin
Implements often live a hard life, sitting out in the rain, mud, and morning dew. This is where the yellow chromate finish on Specialty-Products pins proves its worth. That gold-colored coating isn’t just for looks; it offers significantly better corrosion resistance than standard clear zinc plating.
A rusty pin is a weak pin. Rust can compromise the integrity of the steel and, more commonly, cause the locking ring to seize. A seized ring is a nightmare to deal with, often requiring a hammer and punch or a pair of pliers to open. The yellow chromate finish ensures your pin functions smoothly season after season, even if your hay rake sits outside all winter. It’s a small upgrade that pays dividends in longevity and reduced frustration.
The Hillman Group Linch Pin Assortment Kit
Buying linch pins one at a time is a fool’s errand. The smart move, especially when you’re starting out, is to buy an assortment kit like the one from The Hillman Group. It’s one of the best initial investments you can make for your collection of implements.
These kits typically come in a compartmentalized plastic case and include a variety of sizes. You’ll get everything from small pins for a lawn cart to beefy ones for a chisel plow. Having the right size is critical; a pin that’s too loose can cause excessive wear on the implement’s mounting holes, while one that’s too tight is a pain to install and remove.
A good assortment kit solves three problems at once:
- You always have the correct diameter and length for any given job.
- You have spares on hand for when one inevitably gets lost in the tall grass.
- It saves you countless trips to the hardware store, saving both time and fuel.
Think of it as a library of solutions. When you buy a new-to-you used implement and it’s missing a pin, you just walk to the shelf, not to your truck for a trip to town.
Agri-Fab 44923: A Trusted Implement Partner
Agri-Fab has been making quality tractor attachments for decades, from lawn sweepers to tillers. When you buy a pin made by a company that also engineers the implements, you’re getting a part that’s designed to meet a specific standard. The Agri-Fab 44923 is an OEM-quality pin you can trust.
This isn’t a generic pin; it’s made to the specifications required by the equipment it’s intended for. The tolerances are tight, the materials are proven, and the design is tested. Using an OEM or OEM-quality pin means you’re restoring the implement’s connection to its original factory strength.
For implements that carry a lot of weight or are subjected to dynamic loads, like a broadcast spreader bouncing over rough ground, this level of quality provides an extra margin of safety. It’s the choice for the farmer who prefers to stick with what the manufacturer intended, ensuring a perfect fit and reliable performance every time.
In the end, the best linch pin is the one you don’t have to think about. It’s the one that snaps securely into place and is still there at the end of the day. Investing in a handful of quality pins and keeping spares on hand is one of the easiest, cheapest ways to make your time in the field safer and more productive.
