Pin & Cotter Connector
A clevis pin makes a pivoting connection between two parts. It is a cylindrical pin with a head at one end and a cross-hole at the other: drop it through the aligned holes of a clevis and an eye, then lock it with a cotter (split) pin through the cross-hole. Lengge supplies clevis pins with their cotter pins, in galvanized steel or stainless, in headed, threaded, grooved and quick-release types. We make them for the hinged connections in scaffold tie rods, formwork and steelwork, and for general engineering.
We hold clevis pins in bulk and ship them with the rest of the fixings, factory-direct for contractors, fabricators and dealers worldwide.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Clevis pin | Cylindrical pin, head one end, cross-hole the other |
| Cotter / split pin | U-shaped pin that locks the clevis pin in place |
| Types | Headed (with cotter pin), threaded, grooved, quick-release |
| Connection | Pivoting / hinged joint between two parts |
| Material | Carbon steel (galvanized / zinc) or stainless |
| Sizes | By diameter and grip length, to suit the joint |
| Finish | Galvanized, zinc plated or self-colour |
| Use | Scaffold tie rods, formwork, steelwork, machinery |
Type, diameter, length and material are matched to the joint. Send the part or the hole size and we supply the pin and its retainer to suit.
A clevis pin is a cylindrical pin with a head at one end and a cross-hole near the other. It makes a pivoting connection: you pass it through the aligned holes of two parts, then lock it with a cotter pin through the cross-hole. It carries the load in shear while letting the joint turn, so it is used for hinged connections rather than solid bolted ones.
They are partners, not alternatives. The clevis pin is the main pin that carries the load and forms the joint. The cotter pin, also called a split pin, is the small U-shaped pin that goes through the clevis pin cross-hole and is bent open to stop the clevis pin sliding out. The clevis pin does the work; the cotter pin keeps it in place.
The common types differ by how they are retained. A headed clevis pin is held by a cotter pin through a cross-hole. A threaded clevis pin has a thread on the end and is held by a nut. A grooved clevis pin has a groove that takes an R-clip or circlip. A quick-release pin uses a spring ball detent for joints taken apart often by hand. We supply all of them.
Carbon steel, usually galvanized or zinc plated, suits most work and holds up outdoors and over long cycles. Stainless steel is the choice where corrosion is the main concern, such as wet, coastal or marine conditions. Tell us the environment and we recommend the material.
Pins are sized by diameter and grip length to match the joint, so it depends on the holes they go through. Send the part or the hole size and we match the pin and its retainer to it. Getting the diameter and length right is what makes the joint tight rather than sloppy.
We supply clevis pins and cotter pins in bulk, and ship by the thousand with the rest of the fixings. Stock moves quickly; large or custom sizes we confirm at the time. They pack dense into containers so freight per ton stays low, and we handle export packing and documents.
A clevis pin is one of the simplest ways to join two parts so the joint can still move. It carries load, it pivots, and with the right retainer it stays put. This guide covers what a clevis pin does, the cotter pin that goes with it, the main types, and how to choose the material and size.
A clevis pin passes through the aligned holes of two parts, often a forked clevis and a rod eye, and pins them together while letting them swivel. It takes the load in shear across the joint. On its own, though, the pin could slide out, so it is locked with a cotter pin, the small split pin pushed through a hole near the end and bent open. The two are a pair: the clevis pin carries the load, the cotter pin holds it in place. That is why we supply them together.
Clevis pins differ mainly in how they are retained, and the right one depends on how often the joint comes apart and how firm it has to be:
| Type | How it is retained | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Headed clevis pin | Cotter (split) pin through a cross-hole | General pinned joints, the classic |
| Threaded clevis pin | A nut on a threaded end | Joints needing a firmer, adjustable hold |
| Grooved clevis pin | An R-clip or circlip in a groove | Quick assembly without bending a cotter pin |
| Quick-release pin | A spring ball detent | Joints taken apart often by hand |
The headed pin with a cotter pin is the classic and covers most jobs. A threaded pin with a nut gives a firmer, snug hold. A grooved pin with an R-clip is quick to fit and remove without bending a cotter pin. A quick-release pin suits anything taken apart by hand again and again.
Most clevis pins are carbon steel, galvanized or zinc plated to resist rust, which suits outdoor and long-cycle work. Stainless is the choice where corrosion is the main risk, such as wet, coastal or marine conditions. Size comes down to two numbers: the diameter, which has to match the holes so the joint is not sloppy, and the grip length, which has to suit the thickness of the parts so the cotter-pin hole sits clear on the far side. Send the hole size or the part and the pin and retainer can be matched to it.
Pick the type by how the joint is used, the material by the environment, and the size by the holes and the grip. Order the clevis pin and its cotter pin together so the joint is complete on arrival. Clevis pins are bought in bulk with the rest of the fixings, so check the supplier can hold volume and ship by the thousand without the price per piece rising on a large order.
