6 Best Cattle Corral Pins

You’ve spent hours setting up your new corral panels, and the last thing on your mind is the simple steel rod holding them together. But when a 1,500-pound bull decides to test your work, you’ll realize that drift pin is the single most important piece of hardware in the entire setup. Choosing the right one isn’t about spending more money; it’s about understanding the weak points in a system and investing in strength where it counts the most.

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What to Look for in a Premium Corral Drift Pin

A corral pin seems simple, but the details make all the difference. The first thing to consider is whether the pin is solid steel or hollow tubing. A hollow pin is lighter and cheaper, but it will bend under pressure, guaranteed. A solid steel rod is the only serious choice for any part of a corral that will bear weight or direct pressure from an animal.

Next, look at the material and finish. Forged steel is tougher and more resistant to bending than standard hot-rolled steel. The finish matters for longevity, especially if your corrals stay out in the weather year-round. A galvanized or powder-coated pin will resist rust far better than a raw steel pin, which means it won’t seize up inside the panel loops when you need to pull it out in a hurry.

Finally, consider the head design and length. A simple T-handle or looped top gives you something to grab onto, which you’ll appreciate on a cold morning with gloves on. The pin’s length should be sufficient to pass through all the panel loops with a few inches to spare, ensuring it won’t pop out if the ground is uneven or the panels shift.

Priefert Universal Pin for Maximum Versatility

There’s a reason you see Priefert equipment on so many farms. Their universal pin is a smart design that solves a common, frustrating problem: lost pins. Each pin is attached to a small chain and a spring-loaded clip, which secures it to the corral panel. You drop the pin, snap the clip, and it’s not going anywhere.

This design offers more than just convenience. The clip acts as a secondary lock, preventing the pin from bouncing or vibrating out. This is especially useful for gates, sorting alleys, or any connection that sees a lot of movement. A cow rubbing against a panel corner can sometimes work a standard pin upwards, but the Priefert clip system stops that from happening.

While designed for Priefert’s unique quad-loop system, these pins often work well with other panel brands. They are a fantastic all-around option if your setup includes a mix of different manufacturers’ panels. They provide a secure, reliable connection that you don’t have to think twice about.

Tarter Heavy-Duty Pin for High-Stress Points

Tarter is known for building things stout, and their corral pins are no exception. These are typically thick, solid steel rods designed for one thing: holding fast under extreme pressure. They often feature a simple, no-nonsense looped head that’s easy to grab but won’t snag on ropes or clothing.

You don’t need a Tarter-grade pin for every single panel connection in a holding pen. Where they truly shine is in the high-stress points of your working system. Use them to connect panels forming the corner of a crowding tub or along the sides of a loading chute. These are the places where an animal’s full weight and panic-fueled strength will be concentrated.

The fit might be a little looser in some panels compared to brand-specific pins, but that’s a minor tradeoff. Their purpose isn’t a precision fit; it’s providing an unbreakable anchor point. When you’re pushing a group of stubborn yearlings up a ramp, you’ll be glad you have that extra quarter-inch of solid steel holding everything together.

Behlen Country Drop Pin: A Simple, Secure Lock

The beauty of the Behlen Country drop pin is its elegant simplicity. Many of their designs feature a slight "L" bend at the top or a head that is offset from the main rod. This isn’t just for looks or for a handhold; it’s a passive locking mechanism.

Once the pin is dropped through the panel loops, the bent top prevents it from being lifted straight up. An animal rubbing or pushing on the panel can’t easily jiggle this type of pin out of place. It has to be lifted and turned slightly to be removed, which is easy for you to do but nearly impossible for a cow.

This makes the Behlen pin an excellent choice for semi-permanent or permanent corral setups. It’s incredibly secure and reliable. While it might take an extra second to remove compared to a straight pin, that small inconvenience is a worthwhile trade for the peace of mind that comes from knowing your corral connections are firmly locked.

Sioux Steel Solid Rod Pin for Unmatched Strength

When you pick up a Sioux Steel corral pin, the first thing you notice is the weight. These are often nothing more than a straight, solid, heavy-gauge steel rod with a simple welded handle. There are no fancy clips or clever bends, just an unapologetic chunk of metal.

This is the pin you use when your primary concern is sheer, brute strength. A solid rod of this diameter is incredibly resistant to bending and shearing forces. For connecting a headgate to a chute, holding back a mature bull, or anchoring the end of a long alleyway, the Sioux Steel pin provides the ultimate level of security. Its strength is its defining feature.

The weight itself becomes part of the system. A heavy pin drops into place with authority and is less likely to vibrate or shift. The only real downside is carrying them; a bucket of these is a serious workout. But for those critical connections where failure is not an option, the weight is a small price to pay for absolute confidence.

RanchEx Forged Steel Pin: Superior Durability

Not all steel is created equal. The RanchEx pin is often made from forged steel, which sets it apart from standard pins made from cut and welded steel rod. Forging is a process of heating and hammering metal, which aligns the internal grain structure. This makes the final product significantly stronger and more resistant to fatigue.

Think of it this way: a standard pin might bend after being stressed a few dozen times, but a forged pin is built to withstand that stress for years. It resists the small, repeated impacts and pressures of daily use that can slowly weaken lesser hardware. This is the definition of a "buy it for life" piece of equipment.

A forged pin is an investment in preventing future headaches. It’s for the farmer who uses their corrals day in and day out and can’t afford the downtime caused by a bent pin that’s seized in a panel loop. It might look like any other pin, but its internal strength ensures it will be the last one you ever need to buy for that connection.

Grizzly Metal Works Pin for Custom Applications

Sometimes, your situation is unique, and a standard, off-the-shelf pin just won’t cut it. Maybe you have older, non-standard panels, a homemade gate that needs a longer pin, or a connection point at an odd angle. This is where a fabricator like Grizzly Metal Works or your local welding shop becomes your best friend.

Going custom means you can specify the exact diameter, length, and head style you need. Need a 30-inch pin with a T-handle to go through a wooden post and two panel loops? No problem. Need a pin with an extra-wide head to keep it from falling through a worn-out loop? They can build it.

This level of customization obviously costs more and takes more time than grabbing a pin from the farm supply store. However, for that one critical, non-standard connection in your system, a custom-made pin isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. It ensures a safe, secure fit where a standard pin would be a dangerous compromise.

Matching Pin Diameter to Your Corral Panel Loops

This might sound basic, but it’s the most common mistake people make: using a pin that is too small for the panel loops. A loose, sloppy fit is more than just noisy; it’s a significant weak point in your corral system. That extra space allows the panels to shift and slam against the pin every time an animal pushes on them.

This constant impact creates a shearing force that will eventually bend or even break the pin. It also puts tremendous stress on the panel loops themselves, slowly elongating the holes and damaging your expensive panels over time. A snug-fitting pin distributes the force evenly across the entire loop, making the whole connection exponentially stronger.

Before you buy new pins, measure the inside diameter of your panel loops. Take an old pin or a set of calipers with you to the store. You want the thickest pin that will slide through the loops without requiring a hammer. A snug, proper fit makes your entire corral quieter, safer, and stronger.

Ultimately, the best corral pin is the one you don’t have to worry about. It’s a small detail that provides a huge return in safety, animal welfare, and your own peace of mind. Don’t treat them as disposable hardware; view them as a long-term investment in the integrity of your entire cattle handling system.