B27083A14Z - Adjustable Yoke End 1/4-28 NF Thread And 5/16 Inch Diameter Thru-Hole Zinc Plate

Adjustable Yoke Ends from Buyers Products are machine forged and meet SAE standards. Custom sizes and finishes are available.

Specifications

Technical Overview: Adjustable Yoke End with 1/4-28 NF Thread and 5/16 Inch Diameter Thru-Hole, Zinc Plated

This document provides an in-depth technical description of the Adjustable Yoke End, a precision-engineered component critical for a wide array of mechanical linkage systems. Manufactured by Buyers Products, this specific yoke end is characterized by its 1/4-28 NF (National Fine) thread and a 5/16-inch (0.313-inch) diameter thru-hole, featuring a zinc-plated finish for enhanced durability and corrosion resistance. The design adheres to rigorous SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standards, ensuring reliable performance in demanding applications.

Manufacturing Process and Material Science

The core strength and structural integrity of this adjustable yoke end are derived from its manufacturing process: machine forging. Forging is a metalworking process that involves shaping metal using localized compressive forces. This process, as opposed to casting or machining from bar stock, significantly improves the mechanical properties of the material. When steel is forged, its grain structure is refined and aligned with the shape of the component, resulting in increased tensile strength, impact resistance, and fatigue life. This alignment minimizes internal voids and discontinuities, making the component exceptionally robust for critical load-bearing applications. The material utilized is Forged Steel, a choice based on its superior strength-to-weight ratio and inherent durability, particularly when subjected to cyclical loading and dynamic stresses typical in mechanical linkages.

Precision Engineering and Dimensional Specifications

The precise dimensions of this yoke end are paramount for its integration and optimal function within complex mechanical assemblies. The critical dimensional parameters are as follows:

• Inner Arm to Arm (in.): 0.344" - This dimension dictates the maximum width of the component or clevis that can be accommodated between the two arms of the yoke. It ensures a snug fit for the mating component, minimizing lateral play and maximizing the efficiency of force transmission.
• Base to Hole Center (in.): 2.250" - This measurement is crucial for determining the overall length and reach of the yoke end from its threaded base to the center of the clevis pin hole. It is essential for calculating the effective length of the linkage system and ensuring correct geometric alignment.
• Height of Yoke Arm (in.): 0.500" - This refers to the vertical dimension of each arm, contributing to the overall strength and rigidity of the yoke structure. A sufficient arm height prevents buckling or deformation under shear stress.
• Width (in.): 0.750" - This dimension represents the total lateral extent of the yoke end, providing context for spatial integration within confined mechanical envelopes.
• Hole Dia. (in.): 0.313" (approximately 5/16") - This is the diameter of the thru-hole designed to accommodate a clevis pin, bolt, or similar fastener. The precision of this diameter is critical for ensuring a proper fit with the mating pin, minimizing slop and wear, and facilitating smooth articulation.
• Thread Size (in.): 1/4-28 NF - This specifies the threading at the base of the yoke. The 1/4-inch nominal diameter with 28 threads per inch and National Fine (NF) designation indicates a fine-pitch thread. Fine threads offer superior locking capabilities, finer adjustments, and increased shear strength compared to coarse threads, making them ideal for applications requiring precise axial positioning and resistance to vibration-induced loosening.
• Neck Dia. (in.): 0.500" - The diameter of the cylindrical section immediately preceding the threaded portion. This dimension contributes to the structural integrity of the transition between the yoke body and the thread, providing ample material to withstand torsional and bending stresses.
• Neck Length (in.): 0.438" - The axial length of the neck, important for proper engagement with mating components and for distributing stress concentrations away from the thread root.
• Center Hole to Neck (in.): 1.438" - This specifies the distance from the center of the clevis pin hole to the beginning of the neck section. This measurement is vital for ensuring adequate material thickness and strength in the region where the yoke arms converge into the threaded shank, especially under tensile or compressive loads.

Surface Treatment and Corrosion Resistance

The chosen finish for this adjustable yoke end is Zinc Plating. This electroplating process involves depositing a thin layer of zinc onto the surface of the forged steel. Zinc plating serves multiple critical functions:

1. Corrosion Protection: Zinc acts as a sacrificial coating. In the presence of moisture and oxygen, zinc corrodes preferentially to steel, protecting the underlying ferrous material from rust and oxidation. This galvanic protection is highly effective in preventing surface degradation and maintaining structural integrity, particularly in environments exposed to varying weather conditions, road salts, or mild chemical agents.
2. Improved Aesthetics: The zinc plating provides a bright, uniform metallic finish, enhancing the product's visual appeal and signaling a quality component.
3. Wear Resistance: While not its primary function, zinc plating can offer a slight improvement in surface hardness, contributing to a longer service life by resisting minor abrasions.
4. Paint Adhesion: Zinc-plated surfaces often provide an excellent base for subsequent painting or powder coating, should additional protection or specific color requirements be necessary for specialized applications.

The selection of zinc plating aligns with the need for cost-effective, yet robust, corrosion protection for components often used in outdoor or moderately harsh industrial environments.

Application and Functional Utility

Adjustable yoke ends are fundamental components in mechanical linkage systems, primarily used to connect a rod or cable to a pivot point, allowing for angular movement and transmitting linear motion or force. Their adjustability, facilitated by the threaded shank, allows for precise length adjustment of the linkage. This is crucial for:

• Fine-tuning Mechanism Geometry: Essential in applications where precise positioning, stroke length, or lever arm ratios are required. Examples include throttle controls, shift linkages, steering mechanisms, and braking systems.
• Compensating for Manufacturing Tolerances: Enables assembly personnel to account for slight variations in other components, ensuring proper fit and function without custom fabrication.
• Maintaining System Alignment: Helps in compensating for wear or settling in other parts of a system, maintaining optimal performance over time.
• Reducing Vibration: By allowing for precise tensioning or slack removal, adjustable yoke ends can contribute to reducing unwanted vibrations and play within a system, enhancing operational smoothness and longevity.

The "Standard" type designation implies a widely recognized and utilized design configuration, ensuring broad compatibility and ease of integration into existing or new designs. The exclusion of a Clevis Pin (Clevis Pin Incl. (y/n): No) indicates that the pin is expected to be sourced separately, allowing users to select a pin with appropriate material, length, and retaining mechanism (e.g., cotter pin, snap ring) best suited for their specific application's load and environmental conditions.

Adherence to SAE Standards

The explicit mention of meeting SAE standards underscores the component's adherence to globally recognized engineering benchmarks. SAE International (formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers) develops and publishes technical standards for a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and commercial vehicles. For components like yoke ends, SAE standards typically cover aspects such as:

• Material Composition and Mechanical Properties: Ensuring the forged steel meets minimum strength, ductility, and hardness requirements.
• Dimensional Tolerances: Specifying permissible variations in critical dimensions to ensure interchangeability and proper fit.
• Surface Finish Requirements: Defining the quality and integrity of the zinc plating, including thickness and adhesion.
• Performance Criteria: Although not explicitly stated for this product, some SAE standards might also include fatigue testing, load-bearing capacity, and environmental resistance tests for such components.

Compliance with SAE standards provides engineers and purchasers with confidence in the product's quality, consistency, and reliability, minimizing risks associated with component failure and ensuring compatibility within larger systems designed to similar specifications.

Customization and Versatility

The statement "Custom sizes and finishes are available" highlights the manufacturer's capability to cater to specialized project requirements beyond the standard offering. This flexibility is invaluable for:

• Unique Dimensional Needs: When standard lengths, arm widths, or hole diameters do not precisely fit a particular design, custom options can prevent the need for costly modifications to other system components.
• Application-Specific Finishes: While zinc plating is standard, certain environments may demand alternative coatings such as:
  • Hot-Dip Galvanizing: For superior corrosion protection in extremely harsh marine or industrial settings.
  • Nickel Plating: For enhanced wear resistance and a brighter finish.
  • Black Oxide: For a matte, non-reflective finish with mild corrosion resistance.
  • Powder Coating: For durable, colored finishes and additional environmental protection.
• Material Variations: Although forged steel is standard, specialized applications might require alternative alloys for increased strength, weight reduction (e.g., aluminum), or specific chemical resistance (e.g., stainless steel).

This customization option positions the manufacturer as a comprehensive solution provider, capable of supporting a broad spectrum of engineering challenges across various industries, including agriculture, construction, transportation, and industrial machinery.

Conclusion

The Adjustable Yoke End with 1/4-28 NF Thread and 5/16 Inch Diameter Thru-Hole, Zinc Plated, from Buyers Products, represents a robust and precisely engineered mechanical linkage component. Its construction from machine-forged steel, adherence to SAE standards, and protective zinc plating ensure high performance, durability, and corrosion resistance. The detailed dimensional specifications provide engineers with the necessary data for accurate system design and integration. Its adjustability offers crucial flexibility for fine-tuning and maintaining mechanical systems, while the availability of custom sizes and finishes underscores its versatility for specialized applications. This product is an essential element for ensuring reliable and efficient force transmission and motion control in a multitude of industrial and vehicle-related contexts.