Is the original chain link but swiveled well. Do y’all think I ought to upgrade the chains to straight link for and if a coyote? I’ve picked out a couple dozen to use this coming season. I’ve seen Dude catch everything in them as is. I’m planning on short staking the small traps and still dragging the bigger ones for cats. I’m wondering if the modification craze I’ve been in is really necessary in my old age. I’m just going to tighten the pan tension a bit with the pan bolt and use them basically as is, just a bit concerned with the chain. I caught a couple coyotes a couple years ago in them with no holding problems. In Slim Pederson books he shows a lot of pics of 1.5”s and addresses the fact the jaw spread is sufficient for a paw on the pan.
Just my opinion, for whatever that is worth; But seems like the chains on new dukes are crap! The older ones had decent twist loop chain , “better grade steel than what they use now” ! The older chains would hold, as long as they were in decent shape seems like. If setting for coyotes with a newer 1.5 Duke coil spring, I would want straight link chain, and turn up the jaw tips. I would prefer a couple of swivels added to the new chain, and if you like them, a shock spring near the end of the chain where it’s fastened at.
These dukes are twenty years old and seem to have the better chain on them. They’re a tough little trap that’ll hold yotes.
Only thing with holding a coyote for the most part that I have found , is they will pump out a stake, or bend the frame/warp the jaws , etc. if they have too short of a chain! When they get to rearing up like a horse, and jumping straight up, they can put a lot more stress on a trap that’s not got a long enough chain! That’s why I like a shock spring on my coyote traps; It takes some of that dead stop effect away from the trap! I generally want at least a 2’ chain, and I think 3’ is better. It gets them pulling to the side, as opposed to pulling straight up on a trap. And at least 3 swivels per chain too!
That’s something to consider for sure. I could easily add or replace with a longer chain. I staked some 3N’s and they probably had three feet of chain. With the smaller traps I’d think the consideration would be between the short stake pumping or momentum of a long chain.