Bridge Pins

R Clips

R-clips, also referred to as R-keys, are hitch pin clips that are typically found in the agricultural industry in temporary applications but are versatile enough to appear in a wide range of industries. Whether it's hitch pins, bent pins, or clevis pins, these clips ensure a firm hold and prevent the mating clip from slipping out of place. The unique design of R-clips, with their characteristic ridges, facilitates secure attachment with a simple installation process.

Application Considerations

When considering the use of R-clips in your applications, take into account the following factors for optimal results:

Mating Pin: There are several types of pins that are compatible with hitch pin clips, including clevis pins, hitch pins, and bent pins. Huyett offers hitch pins and R-clips as a set, but if your application uses a different mating pin, ensure the hole is the correct size for the mating clip.
Ease of Placement: Think about where the mating pin will be placed in the application and if that will give you enough room without awkward angles to efficiently install and remove the hitch pin clip.
Environmental Conditions: Many applications for hitch pin clips are outside in the natural environment or incorporated into large farm equipment connections. Consider the weather, temperature, lubrication, and debris elements that may affect your clip's performance. Huyett offers R-clips in 300 series stainless steel or spring wire with plain or zinc (clear or yellow) finishes to help combat corrosive elements.

Benefits

Here are four key benefits of incorporating hitch pin clips into your applications:

Quick Installation and Removal: R-clips are simply pressed into place and pulled out upon removal with your hand or a common hand tool.
Diverse Applications: The clip's design and ease of use make it a versatile fastener for many different industries.
Cost-Effective: These clips are a low-cost investment that work in a variety of settings, making them a cost-efficient fastener choice.
Reliable Attachment: The ridged wire-form design ensures a reliable attachment, minimizing the risk of accidental detachment.

What Do Hitch Pin Clips Do?

Hitch pin clips are a category of clips that attach to hitch pins, clevis pins, or other types of pins that feature a hole or groove at the end of the shaft. The clip is inserted into the hole or groove and acts as a locking mechanism to keep the mating pin in place.

These fastener components are often found in a three-point hitch system, in which a yoke end (or similar component holds a trailer hitch between its arms. A hitch pin (or similar fastener) then threads through both the yoke end and the trailer hitch to fasten them together, and the hitch pin clip is attached to the bottom of the hitch pin to keep the entire system in place. Clips play an essential role in a three-point system.

Other Types of Hitch Pin Clips

While an R-clip is widely used as a clip, there are several other popular hitch pin clip options that work well in different types of applications. They are:

Difference Between Lynch Pins and R-Clips

Lynch pins serve a similar purpose as R-clips, in that they are often inserted into the holes of mating fasteners to act as a lock. The main difference is their design and cost.

A lynch pin features a shaft attached to a wire ring. The wire ring snaps down over the shaft once it is in place, keeping it secure. The overall design offers a stronger hold and is better suited for heavy-duty applications. However, since they are more substantial (and reusable), they do require a slightly bigger upfront investment.

How to Measure R Clips

Bridge pins come in a variety of sizes, but there are only a few key measurements you need to take to ensure you’re choosing the correct size for your application. Watch our video to learn how to measure bridge pins.