6 Best Spring Loaded Linch Pins For Brush Hog That Old Farmers Swear By
Secure your brush hog with confidence. Explore 6 spring-loaded linch pins tested and approved by seasoned farmers for their ultimate reliability.
There’s a specific kind of silence that happens when a linch pin shears and your brush hog suddenly drops off the three-point hitch in the middle of a back field. It’s a moment of pure frustration, turning a productive afternoon into a recovery mission. That tiny piece of steel is the only thing holding hundreds of pounds of spinning metal to your tractor, making it one of the most critical and overlooked parts on the farm.
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Why Your Brush Hog Needs a Reliable Linch Pin
A linch pin’s job looks simple, but the environment it works in is anything but. Your brush hog is a machine of constant, violent vibration. Every rock, stump, and thick patch of briars sends a shockwave through the implement and right back to the hitch points where those pins sit.
A cheap, poorly made pin is a liability waiting to happen. The spring can weaken, allowing the pin to vibrate its way out. The metal itself can be too soft, shearing under a sudden load and dropping the implement to the ground, potentially damaging the PTO shaft, the gearbox, or your tractor’s lift arms.
Worse yet is a pin that rusts in place. What should be a 10-second job of hooking up becomes a 20-minute battle with a hammer and penetrating oil. A good pin isn’t an expense; it’s cheap insurance against lost time, damaged equipment, and serious safety risks.
SpeeCo Heavy-Duty Pin: The Farmer’s Go-To
If you walk into almost any farm supply store, you’ll find a bin of yellow-coated SpeeCo pins. There’s a good reason for this. They are the unofficial standard for heavy-duty farm connections, built with function as the only priority.
These pins typically feature a yellow zinc-dichromate coating, which provides excellent corrosion resistance against morning dew and summer rain. The steel is properly hardened to resist shearing, and the spring-loaded ring snaps shut with a satisfying authority. You know it’s secure.
There’s nothing fancy about a SpeeCo pin, and that’s its greatest strength. It’s a tool, not an accessory. It’s the kind of part you install and don’t think about again for years, which is the highest compliment you can pay to a piece of hardware.
Agri-Supply Red Head Pin for Easy Handling
Let’s be honest, we’ve all dropped a pin in tall grass and spent the next ten minutes hunting for it. The Agri-Supply Red Head pin, or similar vinyl-coated pins, solves this simple but infuriating problem. That bright red head stands out like a beacon against green grass or brown dirt.
The benefit goes beyond visibility. The thick vinyl coating makes the ring much easier to pull, especially when you’re wearing thick work gloves or your hands are slick with grease. On a cold morning, that small ergonomic improvement makes a world of difference.
The vinyl can eventually crack or peel after years of sun and abuse, but the core functionality of the pin remains. For many, the convenience of easy spotting and better grip is a worthwhile tradeoff for a component that is, after all, an inexpensive wear item.
Hillman Zinc-Plated Pin: Resists Rust & Wear
You won’t always be near a dedicated farm store when a pin goes missing. That’s where the Hillman brand shines. You can find their zinc-plated linch pins in the hardware aisle of almost any big-box store or local hardware shop, making them the most accessible and reliable backup plan.
Don’t mistake availability for low quality. Hillman’s zinc plating is clean and effective, creating a sacrificial barrier that keeps rust from taking hold of the steel pin. This is crucial for anyone who has to leave their implements outside for any length of time.
While they may not be marketed specifically for the extreme vibration of a brush hog, their construction is solid. The spring tension is strong, and the steel is more than capable of handling the loads of a typical hobby farm setup. It’s a dependable workhorse you can count on in a pinch.
CountyLine Value Pack: Best for Multiple Implements
Linch pins have a magical ability to disappear right when you need them most. The CountyLine value packs, often found at Tractor Supply, are the perfect answer to this problem. Buying a multi-pack is one of the smartest investments you can make.
Having a handful of spares means you can stop wasting time. Keep a few in your tractor’s toolbox, a couple on the workbench, and one in your truck. When a pin gets lost or fails, you can grab a new one and get back to work in seconds instead of minutes or hours.
Are they the absolute toughest, most over-engineered pins on the market? Maybe not. But they are more than adequate for connecting mowers, box blades, and other common implements. The best pin is the one you have with you, and a value pack ensures you’re never caught without one. Just be sure to never substitute a pin with a random bolt and nut—that’s asking for trouble.
Curt Stainless Steel Pin for Tough Conditions
For some situations, standard rust-proofing isn’t enough. If you live in a coastal area with salt in the air, use your tractor for snow removal on salted roads, or work around corrosive fertilizers, the Curt Stainless Steel Pin is your best bet.
Stainless steel offers the ultimate protection against corrosion. Unlike a zinc coating, which can wear away, the rust resistance is inherent to the metal itself. This pin will look and function just as well in five years as it does on day one, with no rust, no seizing, and no fuss.
This level of performance comes at a higher price. A single stainless pin can cost as much as a multi-pack of standard zinc-plated ones. However, if you’ve ever had to cut a rusted pin off with a grinder, you’ll understand that the extra cost is a small price to pay for permanent peace of mind.
Forney Industries Pin: A Solid, No-Frills Choice
Forney is a name you trust for welding supplies and metalworking tools—things that need to be tough and reliable. Their linch pins are built with that same no-nonsense philosophy. They are engineered for strength and simplicity.
You won’t find any fancy coatings or ergonomic handles here. What you get is a precisely machined steel pin with a standard yellow zinc finish and a spring ring that locks securely into place. It’s a component designed to withstand stress without complaint.
Choosing a Forney pin is about choosing pure function. It’s for the farmer who wants a part that meets specifications and will last, period. It’s a prime example of a simple design executed perfectly for its intended purpose.
Choosing Your Pin: A Guide to Size and Material
Picking the right pin isn’t complicated, but getting it wrong causes problems. The most important factor is making sure you have the right tool for the job.
First and foremost is size. You must match the pin’s diameter to the holes on your tractor’s lift arms and your brush hog’s mounting points. A pin that’s too small will slop around, causing excessive wear and potentially falling out. Measure the hole, and buy the corresponding pin—don’t guess.
Next, consider the material and coating. Your choice depends on your environment and budget.
- Zinc-Plated (Yellow or Clear): This is the workhorse standard. It provides good rust resistance for most conditions and is very affordable.
- Stainless Steel: The premium choice. It’s virtually immune to rust but comes at a higher cost. Ideal for corrosive environments.
- Coated Head (e.g., Red Vinyl): This is a feature, not a material type. It adds visibility and makes the pin easier to handle, especially with gloves.
Ultimately, the best pin is one that fits correctly, resists the elements in your area, and is strong enough for the job. Having a few quality spares on hand is never a bad idea.
A linch pin is a humble component, but it’s the critical link in a powerful system. Choosing a quality pin and checking it before each use is a simple habit that protects your equipment, your time, and your safety. It’s one of the easiest and cheapest ways to ensure your day of mowing ends when you decide, not when a part fails.
