Technical Foundation
What Is a Clevis Pin?
A clevis pin is a straight, cylindrical fastener with a flat or domed head on one end and a cross-drilled hole (or a machined groove for a retaining ring) near the opposite end, sized to slide through the aligned holes of a clevis fork and the mating eye or yoke it connects to, then secured against axial withdrawal by a cotter pin, hairpin clip, or retaining ring. Unlike a bolt, a clevis pin is designed to carry shear load across its diameter rather than tensile load along its axis, and it typically allows the connected parts to pivot freely around the pin.
Pin diameter must closely match the clearance-fit hole diameter in the clevis and yoke — too loose a fit causes excess play and accelerated wear at the joint, while too tight a fit can bind the pivot or make installation difficult. Grip length (the distance from under the head to the cotter pin hole) needs to match the combined thickness of the clevis fork and the connected part, with the retention hole positioned to clear the assembly once installed, so pins are not universally interchangeable across a range of clevis thicknesses even at the same nominal diameter.
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| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | Matched to clevis/yoke hole clearance fit | Too loose causes wear and play at the pivot; too tight binds or resists installation |
| Grip Length | Distance from head to retention hole/groove | Must match combined thickness of the clevis and connected part for proper retention |
| Retention Method | Cotter pin, hairpin clip, retaining ring groove | Determines ease of field service and resistance to vibration-induced loosening |
| Material/Grade | Low carbon steel, grade 5/8 alloy, stainless | Sets shear strength rating and corrosion resistance for the application |
| Head Style | Flat head, button/domed head | Affects bearing surface area and clearance in the mating assembly |
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Applications
Where Clevis Pins Get Used
Clevis pins are specified anywhere two parts need a pivoting or quick-disconnect shear connection rather than a threaded, load-along-axis fastener.
Agricultural Equipment
Connecting implements and hitch assemblies designed for quick pin-and-cotter attachment and field service.
Material Handling & Rigging
Pivot connections in lifting yokes, shackle assemblies, and rigging hardware.
Construction Equipment
Pin joints in cylinder mounts, linkages, and attachment points on mobile equipment.
Trailers & Towing
Hitch and coupling pin connections between towed and towing equipment.
General Fabrication & Machinery
Pivot and quick-disconnect pin joints in fabricated linkages and assemblies.
Marine Hardware
Stainless clevis pins in rigging and hardware exposed to marine corrosion.
FAQ
Clevis Pins Questions, Answered
How is a clevis pin different from a bolt used in the same joint?
A clevis pin is designed to carry shear load across its diameter and typically allows the joined parts to pivot freely, with no threads engaging the connected parts — retention comes from a cotter pin or ring through a hole near the tip rather than a threaded nut. A bolt used in the same location would thread into a nut and clamp the parts together under tension, which restricts pivoting unless deliberately left loose, and isn't optimized for repeated pin removal and reinsertion the way a clevis pin is.
How do I choose the correct grip length for a clevis pin?
Grip length should equal or very slightly exceed the combined thickness of the clevis fork ears and the connected part's eye or yoke, so the retention hole clears the assembly and sits just past the outer face once installed. A grip length that's too short won't allow the cotter pin or ring to be installed; too long leaves excess pin protruding and creates unnecessary play.
What's the difference between a cotter pin and a hairpin clip for retaining a clevis pin?
A cotter pin is a split-shank pin pushed through the clevis pin's cross hole and then bent open to prevent withdrawal — secure but requires tools to remove and typically isn't reused after bending. A hairpin clip snaps into a groove or hole without bending and can be removed and reinstalled by hand repeatedly, making it the more practical choice where a pin is disconnected frequently in the field.
Should I use a plated steel or a stainless steel clevis pin?
Zinc-plated or unplated carbon steel pins are standard for general indoor or dry-environment use and are the lower-cost option. Stainless steel pins resist corrosion far better in wet, outdoor, marine, or washdown environments and are worth the added cost anywhere the joint sees regular moisture exposure or where a seized, corroded pin would be difficult to service.
Can I substitute a clevis pin with a different diameter than the clevis hole calls for?
Not without accepting reduced joint performance — a pin smaller than the hole's intended clearance fit introduces play that accelerates wear on both the pin and the clevis holes under cyclic loading, while an oversized pin may not fit through the hole at all or will bind during installation. Match the pin diameter to the clevis manufacturer's specified hole size and fit tolerance.
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