B27081/27C - S.A.E. Standard Clevis Pin - 1/2 Diameter x 1-9/16 Inch Long

Buyers Products Clevis Pin is manufactured to SAE standards and available in multiple sizes to fit your application. The clevis pin is used with rods, cables, yoke ends, and other assemblies. It can be ordered with a cadmium- or zinc-plated finish in quantities to your specification.

Specifications

Precision Engineering and Robust Performance: The Buyers Products S.A.E. Standard Clevis Pin (1/2" x 1-9/16")

The Buyers Products S.A.E. Standard Clevis Pin, with its nominal 1/2-inch diameter and 1-9/16-inch usable length, represents a critical component in the realm of mechanical fastening, offering a standardized, robust, and versatile solution for establishing pivotal connections. Engineered to rigorous SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standards, this clevis pin is designed for optimal performance in demanding applications where reliable linkage and rotational flexibility are paramount. Its construction, material properties, and protective finish are meticulously chosen to ensure longevity and consistent functionality across a broad spectrum of industrial, agricultural, automotive, and marine environments.

The Foundational Role of a Clevis Pin in Mechanical Assemblies

A clevis pin is fundamentally a cylindrical fastener characterized by a head at one end and a transverse hole at the other, intended for insertion through corresponding holes in a clevis and its mating component (e.g., a rod, cable, or yoke end). Its primary function is to create a secure, yet articulating, connection that allows for relative rotation between the joined parts, while simultaneously resisting axial and shear forces. Unlike a bolt, which is often tightened to create a rigid, preloaded joint, a clevis pin is designed to accommodate motion, acting as a pivot point. The ultimate security of the connection is provided by a secondary fastener, typically a cotter pin or hairpin cotter, inserted through the transverse hole to prevent the clevis pin from disengaging. This design makes clevis pins exceptionally suitable for applications requiring quick assembly and disassembly, or where angular movement is a functional necessity.

Adherence to SAE Standards: A Benchmark of Quality and Interchangeability

The designation "S.A.E. Standard" is a testament to the engineering integrity and reliability of this Buyers Products clevis pin. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) develops and publishes technical standards for a wide range of components and systems within the automotive, aerospace, and commercial vehicle industries. For fasteners like clevis pins, SAE standards define critical parameters including material composition, dimensional tolerances, strength characteristics, and finishing requirements. Adhering to these standards ensures several key benefits:

• Dimensional Consistency: Guarantees that the pin's specified dimensions (diameter, length, hole placement) conform to established norms, ensuring interchangeability and compatibility with standard clevis forks and associated components. This minimizes fitment issues and simplifies replacement.
• Material Specifications: Mandates the use of specific material grades, typically low to medium carbon steel, ensuring the pin possesses the requisite tensile and shear strength to withstand anticipated operational loads without yielding or fracturing.
• Performance Reliability: Establishes criteria for mechanical properties, ensuring the pin will perform consistently under specified load conditions and environmental stressors.
• Quality Assurance: Provides a framework for manufacturing processes and quality control, reducing variations in product quality and enhancing overall product dependability.
• Safety: By defining robust design and material specifications, SAE standards contribute significantly to the safety of mechanical systems, mitigating risks associated with component failure.

For professional applications, specifying an SAE standard clevis pin is not merely a preference but a fundamental requirement for ensuring component compatibility, performance predictability, and adherence to industry best practices.

Precision Engineering: Deconstructing the Specifications of the 1/2" Diameter Clevis Pin

The detailed specifications provided for this S.A.E. Standard Clevis Pin offer critical insights into its precise design and intended functionality. Each dimension plays a vital role in the pin's overall performance and suitability for specific applications:

• A (Shank Diameter): 0.500 inches (1/2 inch)
  This is the primary load-bearing dimension. A 0.500-inch diameter indicates a robust pin capable of withstanding significant shear forces. This dimension is crucial for fitting into corresponding clevis holes and determines the shear strength of the pin itself. Precision in this diameter ensures a snug fit, minimizing slop and wear in the joint while still allowing for articulation.
• E (Grip Length / Usable Length): 1.563 inches (1-9/16 inches)
  The grip length, or usable length, refers to the effective length of the pin's shank available to pass through the components being joined. For this specific pin, 1.563 inches dictates the maximum cumulative thickness of the clevis tines and the intermediate component (e.g., rod eye, cable terminal) that can be securely connected. Proper selection of grip length is paramount; too short, and the cotter pin cannot be inserted; too long, and excessive play can lead to wear and instability in the joint.
• F (Overall Length): 1.750 inches
  This dimension represents the total length of the clevis pin from the top of its head to the end of the shank. It provides a complete understanding of the pin's physical extent, which is useful for storage, handling, and clearance considerations within an assembly. The difference between overall length (F) and grip length (E) accounts for the head thickness and any chamfer or lead-in at the pin's end.
• D (Min.) (Minimum Grip Length/Usable Length for Cotter Pin): 1.344 inches
  This specification likely indicates the minimum effective length required for the cotter pin hole to be fully exposed and functional when the pin is inserted through an assembly. It implies that if the total thickness of the joined components is less than 1.344 inches, the cotter pin hole will still be accessible, ensuring secure fastening. This tolerance range is crucial for accommodating slight variations in component thickness while maintaining secure retention.
• B (Head Diameter): 0.625 inches
  The head diameter of 0.625 inches provides a sufficient bearing surface against one side of the clevis, preventing the pin from passing entirely through the assembly. This dimension is critical for distributing loads evenly over the clevis tines and ensuring stable retention. Its slightly oversized dimension relative to the shank provides a clear stop for the pin.
• C (Head Thickness / Head Height): 0.156 inches
  This measurement indicates the axial thickness of the pin's head. A robust head thickness ensures that the head itself can withstand the compressive forces exerted during assembly and operation without deforming, thereby maintaining the integrity of the connection.
• (0) Drill No. 29 (.136) (Cotter Pin Hole Diameter)
  The transverse hole drilled near the end of the shank is for accommodating a cotter pin or hairpin cotter. A #29 drill size corresponds to a diameter of 0.136 inches. This precise diameter ensures compatibility with standard cotter pins, allowing for easy insertion and secure locking of the clevis pin in place. The cotter pin's function is purely to prevent axial disengagement of the clevis pin, not to bear significant shear loads.
• G (Distance from End to Cotter Pin Hole Center): 0.156 inches
  This dimension specifies the distance from the unheaded end of the clevis pin to the center of the cotter pin hole. This measurement is critical for ensuring that the cotter pin hole is positioned correctly relative to the grip length. Combined with the grip length (E), it dictates the exact position where the secondary fastener will secure the pin, ensuring optimal engagement and prevention of axial movement.

Advanced Corrosion Protection: Zinc Plated Yellow Chromate Finish

While the product description mentions the availability of cadmium- or zinc-plated finishes, the specified finish for this particular pin is "Zinc Plated Yellow." This electroplated coating provides superior corrosion resistance and enhanced durability, critical for components exposed to challenging environments.

• Zinc Plating: The primary protective layer is electrodeposited zinc, which acts as a sacrificial coating. In the presence of moisture and oxygen, zinc corrodes preferentially to the underlying steel, thereby protecting the base metal from rust.
• Yellow Chromate Passivation: After zinc plating, the part undergoes a chromate conversion coating process, resulting in a distinct yellow appearance. This passivation layer significantly enhances the corrosion resistance of the zinc, often providing several hundred hours of salt spray resistance (as per ASTM B117) before the onset of white rust (zinc corrosion) or red rust (steel corrosion). The chromate layer also offers improved abrasion resistance and acts as a primer for subsequent coatings if necessary.

The choice of a zinc-plated yellow chromate finish is particularly advantageous for applications where components are subjected to outdoor exposure, humidity, or intermittent contact with water, such as in agricultural machinery, utility trailers, and construction equipment. This finish ensures a prolonged service life and reduces maintenance requirements compared to unprotected steel.

Material Science and Structural Integrity: The Core of Durability

While the specific steel grade is not explicitly detailed, clevis pins manufactured to SAE standards are typically produced from low to medium carbon steel. This material class provides an optimal balance of strength, ductility, and machinability. Key material characteristics contributing to the pin's performance include:

• High Shear Strength: The primary mode of failure for a clevis pin is shear. The chosen steel grade ensures a high ultimate shear strength, allowing the pin to safely transmit significant transverse loads without deformation or fracture.
• Tensile Strength: Although not the primary load, the pin's tensile strength is important for resisting any forces that might attempt to pull the pin axially, even with the cotter pin in place.
• Ductility: Sufficient ductility ensures that the pin will deform plastically before catastrophic brittle failure, providing a visual warning of impending failure and enhancing safety.
• Fatigue Resistance: In applications involving repetitive cyclic loading, the material's fatigue resistance is crucial for preventing crack initiation and propagation over time.

The combination of a robust steel core and a high-performance protective coating ensures that the Buyers Products clevis pin offers exceptional mechanical integrity and environmental resilience.

Versatile Applications Across Diverse Industries

The 1/2-inch diameter S.A.E. Standard Clevis Pin is an indispensable component across numerous sectors due to its simplicity, strength, and ease of use. Its fundamental design allows for a wide range of applications:

• Agricultural Machinery: Connecting implements to tractors, securing hitch pins, linkages for cultivators, plows, and harvesters.
• Construction Equipment: Articulating joints in excavators, loaders, bulldozers; securing attachments like buckets and grapples; linking components in scaffolding and temporary structures.
• Automotive and Trailer Industry: Trailer hitch components, safety chain connections, suspension linkages, steering mechanisms, and various points within chassis assemblies.
• Industrial Robotics and Automation: Creating flexible joints in robotic arms, conveyor systems, and other automated machinery where controlled movement is required.
• Marine Applications: Though primarily zinc-plated, suitable for freshwater marine environments or applications where direct saltwater exposure is limited, connecting rigging, steering linkages, or various boat components. (For highly corrosive saltwater, stainless steel or specific marine-grade coatings would typically be specified, though zinc offers a good level of protection.)
• Material Handling: Securing lifting slings, shackles, and other rigging hardware (within appropriate load limits and safety factors).
• General Fabrication and Repair: A common choice for custom projects and repairs requiring a strong, pivoting connection.

Its ability to serve as a reliable pivot point and a secure, yet removable, fastener makes it a go-to solution for engineers and technicians in diverse fields.

Advantages of the Buyers Products S.A.E. Standard Clevis Pin

Choosing the Buyers Products 1/2" Diameter x 1-9/16" Long S.A.E. Standard Clevis Pin offers several distinct advantages:

• Exceptional Durability: Constructed from high-strength steel and protected by a durable zinc-plated yellow chromate finish, ensuring prolonged operational life even in challenging conditions.
• Reliable Performance: Manufactured to strict SAE standards, guaranteeing consistent dimensional accuracy, material quality, and mechanical properties.
• Corrosion Resistance: The zinc-plated yellow finish provides a robust barrier against rust and environmental degradation, minimizing maintenance and replacement costs.
• Versatile Application: Suitable for a broad array of industrial, agricultural, automotive, and construction applications requiring secure, articulating connections.
• Ease of Use: Simple design facilitates quick and straightforward installation and removal, enhancing operational efficiency.
• Standardized Compatibility: Adherence to SAE standards ensures seamless integration with standard clevis forks and associated components, simplifying procurement and assembly.

Selection Guidelines for Optimal Performance

To ensure optimal performance and safety, proper selection of a clevis pin is crucial. Consider the following factors:

• Shank Diameter (A): Must match the bore of the clevis and the component being joined. Too loose, and it will lead to excessive wear; too tight, and it won't fit. The 1/2-inch diameter is suitable for moderate to heavy-duty applications.
• Grip Length (E and D Min.): The effective grip length (1.563 inches) must accommodate the cumulative thickness of the components through which the pin passes, ensuring the cotter pin hole is fully exposed for secure fastening. The minimum grip length (1.344 inches) gives a useful range.
• Shear Load: Evaluate the maximum shear force the pin will experience. The chosen pin's diameter and material must be capable of safely supporting this load with an adequate factor of safety.
• Environmental Conditions: For standard outdoor use, the zinc-plated yellow chromate finish is excellent. For extremely aggressive corrosive environments, consult specialized coatings or material alternatives.
• Cotter Pin Compatibility: Ensure the chosen cotter pin or hairpin cotter (matching a #29 drill size / 0.136-inch hole) is correctly sized and installed to prevent pin disengagement.

Installation, Maintenance, and Longevity

Proper installation and routine maintenance are key to maximizing the lifespan and reliability of the clevis pin connection:

1. Installation: Ensure all components are aligned before inserting the clevis pin. Once inserted, a properly sized cotter pin or hairpin cotter should be threaded through the transverse hole and spread or bent to secure the clevis pin axially. Avoid hammering the pin, which can damage the finish or deform the material.
2. Lubrication: In high-cycle or heavily loaded pivoting applications, periodic lubrication of the pin and clevis holes can reduce friction and wear, extending component life.
3. Inspection: Regularly inspect clevis pins for signs of wear, deformation (bending, elongation of the hole), corrosion, or damage to the head. Pay close attention to the area around the cotter pin hole and the bearing surfaces.
4. Replacement: Any pin showing significant wear, corrosion, or deformation should be replaced immediately. Never attempt to "repair" a damaged clevis pin. Always use a new, appropriately specified pin.

Conclusion

The Buyers Products S.A.E. Standard Clevis Pin, with its precise 1/2-inch diameter and 1-9/16-inch length, exemplifies a commitment to engineered excellence. Its adherence to stringent SAE standards, coupled with a durable zinc-plated yellow chromate finish and robust material selection, ensures a fastening solution that is not only reliable and long-lasting but also compatible with a vast array of industrial applications. For professionals seeking a high-quality, standardized clevis pin that delivers consistent performance and exceptional value, this product stands as a superior choice, providing the critical linkage for countless mechanical assemblies.