Medium towbar pin question

[randyscycle]

Since pins (and other stuff) for the medium towbars are getting a bit tricky to find, I was wondering if the 1" pins found at the local Tractor Supply would be safe to use?

These are longer than the originals, but look to be hardened and if they will pull a large implement, they seem like they'd be OK for a towbar as well.

Anyone else used these, or have any input? Thanks in advance!

 

[FMJ]

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/17382-hole.html

From what I've seen here they should be fine.

Ed

 

[Stan]

Worked OK for me.

 

[bulldog_mack13]

I got mine at Lowes and they worked great also.

 

[grounded]

make sure you get the ones that take a pin, cotter key on the other end. NOT them press ball type ones cause they will viberate out and you will have issues

 

[hndrsonj]

Ask wreckerman how he bent up a deuce and a towbar. Buy the right pin.

 

[grounded]

I know i read it somewhere in the archives. leave it to the WM to do it

 

[sermis]

I don't have any right now but I had a bunch of 1" NOS pins a while back I sold for $10. If I get more I will post up. I do have a bunch of NOS 3/4" pins if needed.
A lot depends if you want what should be used verses what will work. TSC pins will work, 1" bolts will work.
I do have a few 1" pins with the round head, not the clipped head used for the tow bar if needed. If they are put in from the opposite side they work fine.

 

[NDT]

I use grade 8 bolts with no issues.

 

[hndrsonj]

TNJ Murray has them in stock.

 

[m.walker]

I've used them to tow deuces and 5 tons , they work fine .

 

[M1075]

I have all kinds of used pins for towbars and wreckers. I will work to get them on ebay soon.

 

[grounded]

M1075 any wiffle tree pins?

 

[M1075]

Yeah, a couple sets. I'll get them on ebay soon.

 

[hndrsonj]

Basically alot of different ways will work. But in the end the pins are easy to find. WM was just a perfect example of what could go wrong. I don't think that risk is worth a $10 pin. Now sometimes you have to do different things. When we recovered the M48 it has smaller diameter pins (15/16 I think) so we got grade 8 bolts and put nuts/washers on it then mashed the threads with a hammer to ensure the nuts didn't come off. Sometimes you just have to, but if you can i'd go with the right pin.

 

[randyscycle]

Thanks for all the replies!

I DO plan on getting the correct pins, but if I need the towbar before then, I'd like to at least be able to recover something or get it off the side of the road in a pinch. I firmly believe that the right tool for the job is critical.

 

[m.walker]

What about a wiffle tree ?

 

[gimpyrobb]

Randy, I don't know what WM did, but I have used both and have had no problems. Unless you do something the tow bar was not intended for, I think you should be fine.

 

[randyscycle]

Randy, I don't know what WM did, but I have used both and have had no problems. Unless you do something the tow bar was not intended for, I think you should be fine.

Kinda what I figured. Just standard towing. Probably will be towing the 715 short distances with the Deuce. Of course, who knows what might follow me home next?

 

[hndrsonj]

Here gimp, http://www.steelsoldiers.com/military-vehicle-road-trips/19968-mississippi-recovery-gone-bad.html