The Best Snow Plow Pins

Snow removal only works when every fastener holds. A worn or undersized pin can let a plow blade drop mid-drive, damage a driveway, or turn a routine snowstorm into a costly repair.

That is why choosing the best snow plow pin for your equipment matters as much as the plow itself.

Snow Removal Wiki evaluated fasteners from major attachment brands using specifications, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback to highlight a kit that suits most tractors, ATVs, and UTV plow setups.

The right pin is a small part with a big job. It keeps the blade locked to the lift frame, holds the receiver in place, and prevents slop that wears out other components.

Many owners pair these pins with compact tractor snow plow packages, while others just need a spare for a smaller blade.

In this roundup we focus on what makes a pin kit dependable, how to match pin size to your mount, and why one 202-piece set from Easily stood out in its class.

Scroll on for the top pick, then use the buying guide to confirm it will fit your setup.

Best Snow Plow Pin Buying Guide

Pin Types and Sizing

Hitch pins, clip pins, linch pins, and PTO pins look similar but serve different jobs.

A hitch pin passes through a clevis or drawbar and is held by a clip, while a linch pin uses a ring or keeper to lock into a cross hole.

For snow plow attachments, the most common failure happens when the pin is too small for the mount or the locking clip is not rated for constant vibration.

You need the best snow plow pin for the shank diameter and usable length of your existing holes.

Many UTV and Polaris Ranger plow mounts use 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch pins, so the kit size range matters more than the brand name. Before ordering, measure the mounting ears with a caliper and check the plow manual.

A pin that is too short will wiggle out, and one that is too long can catch on a tire or undercarriage component.

Material and Finish

Zinc-plated and stainless steel pins resist surface rust, but coating quality matters. A hard zinc finish keeps hardware sliding into frozen receivers, while plain carbon steel can rust after one season.

The Easily set uses steel pins with a protective coating that owner reviews describe as smooth and corrosion-resistant. For heavy wet snow, check that the pins are not case-hardened only on the surface.

Commercial operators with skid steer snow plow attachments usually prefer thicker pins with a durable plating because they are pulled in and out more often and exposed to road salt.

A slightly higher price for a coated pin is worth it when you are swapping blades on a job site.

Load Rating and Shear Strength

Load rating is usually more important than the number of pieces in a kit. A plow pin takes shear force from the blade edge, a low-grade pin can break when the blade catches a curb or frozen driveway lip.

Look for hardened steel pins with a rating that exceeds the push force of your plow. For most homeowner duty, a 5/8 inch pin is strong enough; for a larger blade, step up in diameter.

On light-duty snow plow setups, a smaller pin can be fine, but the margin for error shrinks when you are moving deep banks.

At the other end, heavy-duty snow plow options need the thickest pin you can fit, because a single broken pin can stop a whole shift.

Kit Versatility and Storage

A multi-size set earns its keep because snow plow attachments use different pins. The Easily 202-piece kit includes multiple diameters, clip styles, and linch pins, so you keep spares for the tractor, trailer, and mower in one box.

A sturdy case keeps the pins organized and prevents garage moisture from causing rust.

Small-business operators maintaining commercial snow plow fleets get more value from a kit with broad size coverage. One mechanic can restock several trailers from a single box, which is faster than reordering individual sizes before every storm.

Compatibility with Snow Plow Attachments

The best snow plow pin is only useful when it fits the lift frame, blade bracket, and quick-attach system. Measure the bolt holes before ordering, and check whether the pin uses a cotter, hairpin clip, or wire lock.

That is especially true for compact tractor blades and UTV plows, where receiver tubes can differ by brand.

Always verify the lift frame receiver’s depth. A pin that reaches the hole but not beyond it may pop out under a heavy load. If you are assembling a new attachment, compare the mounting hardware against the plow manufacturer’s spec sheet before you buy.

Why You Should Trust Us

Snow Removal Wiki is an independent review site, not a retailer.

We evaluate each product against consistent criteria, analyze published specifications, look for patterns in expert review consensus, and compare verified buyer feedback from owners who use the hardware in real winter conditions.

Every item in this roundup was vetted the same way and then rated on our 0 to 10 SRW Score.

We do not conduct our own product trials; our evaluations are grounded in research, published data, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback. We are also transparent about monetization.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn a commission, but that never influences which products appear or where they rank.

If you clear snow with a blower instead of a plow, our snow blower reviews cover machines scored on the same independent criteria.

Final Thoughts

Winter fasteners are easy to overlook until the worst possible moment. After reviewing the specifications, expert consensus, and verified buyer feedback, one kit earned the top spot in this snow plow pin roundup.

Best Overall: Easily 202-piece hitch pin and clip pin set pairs broad size coverage with a corrosion-resistant finish and a storage case. Its top SRW Score in this group makes it the best snow plow pin for homeowners and small fleet owners.

Best Value: Easily 202-piece hitch pin and clip pin set gives you spare pins for multiple machines without a second order. For a single purchase, you get the most coverage per dollar and the flexibility to swap sizes as your fleet changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which snow plow pin size I need?

Measure the diameter of the hole in the lift frame or blade bracket and the distance between mounting ears. The pin should slide through without hammering, and the clip should engage fully.

If the plow manual lists a specific diameter, use that size rather than guessing.

Are hitch pins and linch pins interchangeable?

Not always. Hitch pins use a clip through a drilled hole, while linch pins have a hinged ring that locks behind the mount. Both can work on snow plow hardware, but the mechanism must stay secure under vibration.

For a blade that pushes heavy snow, a full-seat clip or positive locking linch pin is safer.

How often should I replace snow plow pins?

Inspect pins before every storm and replace any that show scoring, bends, pitted rust, or sloppy clips. Steel pins can survive for years in a dry garage, but salt and wet snow accelerate corrosion.

Keep a spare best snow plow pin in the truck so a broken fastener does not end your driveway clearing.

Can I use the same pin kit for an ATV plow and a tractor plow?

If the diameters match, yes. Many kits like the Easily 202-piece set include enough sizes for an ATV, UTV, compact tractor, and mower. Confirm the shank length as well, because a receiver tube can be thicker on a commercial plow.

What is the difference between a cotter pin and a clip pin?

A cotter pin is split and bends to lock, while a clip pin, often called a hairpin cotter, slides over a groove or through a hole.

Clip pins are faster for snow plow receivers, but they need the correct gauge so they do not rattle out in slush.

Do snow plow pins work with snow blowers?

Snow blowers are mostly self-contained, so they rarely depend on quick-attach pins the way a plow blade does. If a chute or auger pin is the concern, measure the hole carefully.

If you are clearing snow with a blower instead, the top rated snow throwers roundup covers machines that handle deep snow. Large driveway snow blowing guides and long driveway snow thrower options are useful when your clearing distance is the real challenge.

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