Clevis Pins

A clevis pin is a cylindrical fastener with a head at one end and a cross-drilled hole near the other. It passes through a clevis (U-shaped bracket) and a matching tang or rod eye, then is secured with a cotter pin, R-clip or hairpin clip through the cross-hole — creating a removable, hinged connection rather than a rigid clamped joint. AIMS Industrial stocks 9 clevis pin products from Champion, GJ Works and Inox World, covering single-hole and multi-hole pins in imperial sizes, metric and imperial assortment kits, and a 316 stainless steel grab hook clevis pin range for chain and rigging work. For a deeper dive on the standards and selection criteria, see our Clevis Pin Guide: Types, Sizes, Materials, and Retention Methods.

Quick Reference

Sizes above are drawn from AIMS's current stocked range, not a generic size chart — see individual product pages for exact lengths and pack quantities.

What We Stock

Single-hole clevis pins

Champion CCP clevis pins have one cross-drilled hole near the small end, retained with a single cotter pin. This is the standard form for a fixed clevis joint where the connection geometry doesn't need adjusting — general machinery, agricultural equipment and trailer linkage.

Multi-hole clevis pins

Champion's multi-hole clevis pins (including the CPMH range) have several evenly spaced cross-holes along the shank, so the effective grip length can be changed by choosing which hole takes the cotter pin. Useful where the same pin needs to suit more than one bracket thickness or linkage adjustment.

Assortment kits and refills

For workshops that need a ready supply of common sizes on hand, AIMS stocks the Champion CA52 (52-piece) and CA72 multi-hole (72-piece) assortment kits, plus GJ Works kits — the GKA38 (38-piece, metric) and GKA105 (105-piece, imperial). A Champion clevis pin assortment refill pack is also available for topping up a kit box without buying loose pins individually.

Stainless grab hook clevis pins

The Inox World Grab Hook Clevis Pin range is a different style of pin, purpose-made to secure a grab hook onto chain: sized M8, M11, M12 and M16 to suit 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" and 1/2" chain respectively, in 316 (A4) stainless steel for marine and outdoor rigging. As with any chain and hook combination, confirm the working load limit against the specific grab hook and chain it's paired with rather than assuming a rating from the pin alone.

Material & Finish

Most of AIMS's clevis pin range is zinc-plated (BZP) steel — a cost-effective, corrosion-resistant finish suited to general workshop, agricultural and trailer use. The Inox World grab hook clevis pin is 316 (A4) stainless steel, the standard grade for saltwater, splash-zone and coastal outdoor exposure where a plated finish would corrode over time. If you need a size or grade outside this range — 304 stainless, a headless pin, or a metric shank diameter beyond the kits listed above — give us a call and we'll source it.

Standards

The head-and-cross-hole geometry used by standard clevis pins is set out in two related standards: DIN 1444 covers clevis pins with a head, and ISO 2341 (Type A and Type B) covers the equivalent international specification, with DIN 1444 commonly referenced as the Type B form. A related standard, DIN 1443, covers headless clevis pins used where the pin needs to sit flush at both ends. These standards define the pin's head, shank and cross-hole layout rather than a strength rating — if your job needs a pin certified to a specific standard, tell us the designation and we'll confirm what's available.

Applications

Clevis pins are used wherever a joint needs to pivot rather than clamp rigidly: agricultural implement linkages, trailer coupling hardware, hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder rod ends, and general machinery pivot points. The stainless grab hook clevis pin is purpose-built for chain rigging and load restraint, including marine chain assemblies. Always match pin diameter and material to the job, and never substitute a lighter or unrated pin where a rated component is specified.

Brands We Stock

Of AIMS's 9 clevis pin products, six are Champion (single-hole, multi-hole and assortment kits), two are GJ Works (metric and imperial assortment kits) and one is Inox World (316 stainless grab hook clevis pins). Champion and GJ Works make up the bulk of the imperial and kit range; Inox World covers the stainless, marine-grade end of the range.

Retention & Companion Ranges

Clevis pins are retained with a cotter (split) pin through the cross-hole — never substitute a nail, wire or self-tapping screw, as these can shear or work loose under vibration. If a clevis pin isn't the right fit for your linkage, our spring (roll) pins and taper pins cover other common pivot and location jobs, and the full pins range lists every retention pin type AIMS stocks. For load-rated lifting and chain hardware, see lifting shackles and lifting chain links.

Order From AIMS

Need help matching a clevis pin to your bracket, chain or linkage? Call our team on (02) 9773 0122, reach out via contact us, or send through your sizes and quantities on a quote request and we'll get back to you with pricing and availability.

FAQs

What is a clevis pin?

A clevis pin is a cylindrical fastener with a head at one end and a cross-drilled hole at the other. It passes through a clevis bracket and a matching tang, then is secured with a cotter pin or R-clip through the cross-hole, forming a removable hinged joint that allows rotation.

What is the difference between a clevis pin and a bolt?

A clevis pin creates a hinged connection — it acts as a pivot and allows rotation, retained by a cotter pin through its cross-hole. A bolt creates a clamped connection — tightening a nut pulls the parts together rigidly with no rotation. They aren't interchangeable: using a bolt where a clevis pin is specified removes the pivoting action the joint depends on.

What is the difference between a clevis pin and a cotter (split) pin?

The clevis pin is the load-bearing pivot pin that passes through the clevis and tang. The cotter pin is the small retainer that passes through the clevis pin's cross-hole to stop it sliding out — the two work together, and a clevis pin isn't secure without its cotter pin fitted.

Is a clevis pin stronger than a bolt?

They aren't directly comparable, because they carry load differently. A clevis pin is rated for shear and bearing load across its diameter in a pivoting joint; a bolt is rated for tensile (clamping) load along its length. A clevis pin isn't a "stronger" or "weaker" version of a bolt — it does a different job, and each should only be used in the joint type it's designed for.

What sizes does AIMS stock?

Our core range covers imperial diameters from 3/16" to 1/2" in zinc-plated steel, in single-hole and multi-hole forms, plus Champion and GJ Works assortment kits (metric and imperial). The Inox World stainless grab hook clevis pin range runs M8 to M16, sized to suit 1/4" to 1/2" chain. See the Quick Reference table above for the full breakdown.

What's the difference between a single-hole and a multi-hole clevis pin?

A single-hole pin (Champion CCP) has one cross-hole for the cotter pin, suited to a fixed joint. A multi-hole pin (Champion CPMH and similar) has several evenly spaced cross-holes, so you can adjust the effective grip length by choosing which hole takes the cotter pin — useful where the same pin needs to suit more than one bracket thickness.

What standards do clevis pins follow?

The common head-and-cross-hole clevis pin form is set out in DIN 1444 and ISO 2341 (Type B), with DIN 1443 covering the headless variant. These standards define the pin's dimensions and hole position, not a load rating — check the specific product listing or ask our team if your application needs a pin certified to a particular standard.

How do I stop a clevis pin from falling out?

Fit a cotter (split) pin, R-clip or hairpin clip through the cross-drilled hole at the pin's small end. This stops axial movement while still letting the pin be removed cleanly when needed. Don't substitute a bolt, nail or self-tapping screw — none of these are designed for repeated removal or vibration resistance in this role.

What material should I use for a marine or outdoor application?

For saltwater, splash-zone or persistent coastal exposure, use the 316 (A4) stainless grab hook clevis pin — plain zinc-plated steel will corrode within months in that environment. For general outdoor use away from salt exposure (sheds, yards, inland trailers), zinc-plated steel typically holds up well.

Can I use something other than a clevis pin?

It depends on the joint. Where you need a pivoting connection, a clevis pin retained by a cotter pin is usually the right choice. Where you need a fixed location pin without a retainer, a spring (roll) pin or taper pin may suit instead — see our spring pins and taper pins ranges. Don't substitute a bolt for a clevis pin in a joint designed to pivot.

Does AIMS sell clevis pins in assortment kits?

Yes — the Champion CA52 (52-piece) and CA72 multi-hole (72-piece) kits, and the GJ Works GKA38 (38-piece, metric) and GKA105 (105-piece, imperial) kits. A Champion assortment refill pack is also available to top up a kit without buying individual pins.

Is the stainless grab hook clevis pin rated for lifting?

The Inox World grab hook clevis pin is made from 316 stainless for corrosion resistance, but it isn't independently WLL-stamped — confirm the working load limit against the specific grab hook and chain it's paired with before using it in a lifting or load-restraint application.