Buy Clevis Pins Online in Australia
Common Questions about Clevis Pins
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 — a U-shaped bracket — and a matching tang, then is secured with a split pin or R-clip through the cross-hole. Forms a removable hinged joint.
What is the difference between a clevis pin and a bolt?
A clevis pin creates a hinged connection — the pin acts as a pivot, allowing rotation. A bolt creates a clamped connection — tightening pulls the parts together rigidly. Clevis pins use a split pin or R-clip for retention; bolts use a nut. They are not interchangeable in these applications.
What sizes do clevis pins come in?
Common metric sizes run from 4 millimetres to 25 millimetres shank diameter. Imperial sizes run from one-eighth inch to one inch. Length is measured from under the head to the cross-hole centre. AIMS stocks zinc-plated steel, stainless and high-tensile clevis pins in workshop and rigging sizes.
How do I keep a clevis pin from falling out?
Secure with a split pin, R-clip or hitch pin clip through the cross-drilled hole at the pin end. The retainer prevents axial movement while still allowing the pin to be removed cleanly when needed. Do not substitute a bolt or screw — they prevent the hinged action that clevis joints depend on.
Where are clevis pins used?
Clevis pins are used wherever a removable hinged connection is needed — agricultural implements, trailer couplings, lifting and rigging hardware, machinery linkages, hydraulic cylinder mounts. Marine applications use stainless variants for corrosion resistance. AIMS stocks pins for general workshop and rigging applications across metric and imperial sizes.
What DIN standards apply to clevis pins?
DIN 1444 covers clevis pins with a head — the standard workshop and rigging form, matching ISO 2341 Form B. DIN 1443 covers pins without a head — used where the pin needs to sit flush on both ends or where retention is via a split pin on each end. Both standards define pin diameter, length range, and cross-drilled hole position for split pin retention. When ordering by DIN number, the pin geometry is fully specified — you only need to add diameter, length, material and finish. Common metric sizes 4 mm to 25 mm diameter are widely stocked in DIN 1444 form.
What is the difference between shear load and bearing load on a clevis pin?
Shear load acts across the pin — the force trying to cut it in half across its cross-section. Bearing load acts against the sides of the pin — the force pressing the pin against the walls of the hole it passes through. A clevis joint carries both simultaneously: the tension in the connection creates shear across the pin plus bearing against the hole walls in each connected part. Working load limit (WLL) for a clevis pin is set by whichever is lower for the pin and hole geometry — for standard pins in matched-size holes, shear usually governs. Never exceed rated WLL and always add a safety factor for dynamic or impact loading.
What material should I choose for a marine or outdoor clevis pin?
Marine and outdoor use needs corrosion-resistant material — plain zinc-plated (BZP) alloy steel corrodes within months in salt spray or persistent wet exposure. Stainless 316 (A4) is the marine standard for saltwater, splash zone and coastal outdoor exposure. Stainless 304 (A2) handles indoor damp, sheltered outdoor and freshwater exposure but pits in saltwater over time. For heavy-duty rigging on trailers or agricultural machinery in outdoor service, hot-dip galvanised alloy steel is a robust cost-effective option — the thick zinc coating outlasts BZP by years.
What is a hitch pin and how does it differ from a clevis pin?
A hitch pin (sometimes called a lynch pin) is a clevis pin variant with a pre-fitted lynch clip or R-clip attached to the head via a light chain or lanyard — you push the clip through the cross-hole to secure, no separate retainer needed. Common on trailer couplings, tow bars, quick-release rigging, agricultural three-point linkages. Advantages over a plain clevis pin: no separate split pin or R-clip to lose, faster to install and remove one-handed. Trade-off: less secure than a bent split pin in high-vibration service — vibration can walk the lynch clip out over time.
Do clevis pins come in stainless steel?
Yes — clevis pins are available in stainless 304 (A2) and stainless 316 (A4) alongside the more common plated alloy steel. Stainless is essential for marine, food-processing and chemical exposure where corrosion would compromise the joint. Note: stainless clevis pins have lower shear strength than alloy steel equivalents — a stainless pin typically has around 60-70% of the working load limit of the same-diameter alloy steel pin. Size up one diameter if replacing an alloy steel pin with stainless in a rated application, or check the specific stainless grade's shear rating against your load.
Clevis Pin Sizes — DIN 1444 / ISO 2341 Quick Reference
Clevis pins are cylindrical hardened steel pins specified by shank diameter (matches the hole) and grip length (effective working length between the head and the cross-hole). AIMS stocks DIN 1444 / ISO 2341 sizes in zinc-plated carbon steel from Champion and GJ Works — standard single-hole and multi-hole variants.
| Nominal Ø | Common Grip Lengths | Recommended Cotter Pin | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 mm | 10 - 32 mm | 1.6 mm Ø | Light linkage, small hinges |
| 5 mm | 12 - 40 mm | 2.0 mm Ø | Small machinery linkage |
| 6 mm | 14 - 50 mm | 2.0 mm Ø | General-purpose pivot |
| 8 mm | 18 - 63 mm | 2.5 mm Ø | Workshop linkage, trailer fittings |
| 10 mm | 22 - 80 mm | 3.2 mm Ø | Hydraulic cylinder rod ends, agricultural linkage |
| 12 mm | 28 - 100 mm | 4.0 mm Ø | Trailer hitches, heavy linkage |
| 16 mm | 36 - 125 mm | 5.0 mm Ø | Heavy machinery, large cylinders |
| 20 mm | 45 - 160 mm | 6.3 mm Ø | Heavy plant, lifting rigging |
For load-rated lifting applications, use only WLL-stamped pins — see our clevis pin guide for full selection criteria including retention method, material grades and when to choose alternatives.
Clevis Pins — Linkage and Pivot Pins for Rigging, Lifting and Mechanical Connections
Clevis pins are cylindrical hardened steel pins used to connect a clevis (yoke) to a clevis rod or bracket, forming a pivot joint that allows angular movement. AIMS Industrial stocks clevis pins from Champion and GJ Works in standard and multi-hole designs, including individual pins and assortment kits covering a wide range of metric and imperial sizes. Manufactured to ISO 2341 dimensional standards.
For complete coverage of selection, retention method, sizing and when to use clevis pins vs alternatives, see our clevis pin guide.
Standard Clevis Pins
Standard clevis pins are retained by a cotter pin, R-clip or hairpin cotter through the cross-hole at the pin's small end. They are used in fixed clevis joints — where the connection geometry is defined and a single retention hole is sufficient. Champion CCP clevis pins are zinc-plated carbon steel for general industrial use across machinery, agricultural equipment and trailer applications.
Multi-Hole Clevis Pins
Multi-hole clevis pins have multiple evenly spaced cross-holes along their length, allowing the effective working length to be adjusted by selecting which hole receives the cotter pin. This makes them especially useful in linkage, rigging and adjustment applications where the connection length needs to be varied without changing the pin itself. Champion CPMH and GJ Works multi-hole clevis pins are available individually and in assortment kits.
Assortment Kits
Clevis pin assortment kits from Champion (52 and 72 piece) and GJ Works (38 piece metric and 105 piece imperial) give maintenance workshops a ready supply of common sizes without ordering individual part numbers. Assortment refill packs are also available.
Applications
Clevis pins are used in: lifting and rigging equipment, hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder rod ends, agricultural three-point linkage assemblies, trailer hitch connections, mechanical control systems and conveyor tension assemblies. Always match the pin diameter and material to the design load — do not substitute a lighter pin where a rated pin is specified. Rated lifting clevis pins are stamped with their working load limit (WLL).
Retention & companion pins at AIMS
Clevis pins typically use a cotter (split) pin through the cross-hole for retention. For non-clevis pin retention applications, see spring (roll) pins and the roll pin guide, or coupling pins and taper pins. The full pins range covers all retention pin types. For load-rated lifting applications, see shackles and lifting equipment.
Need help specifying clevis pins for a load-rated application? Call (02) 9773 0122 or contact our team — we'll match diameter, length, retention hole spacing and load rating to your job.