I'm a small time trapper, only do it on my farm to control coons, possums and the occasional bobcat or coyote. I only have 18 leghold traps so I'm not into it big time. My question is how can I set the pan tension without buying a pan tester? I hate to spend $20 for something I will use rarely. I looked on Youtube and didn't find anything worthwhile.

I should mention I have Duke #3 and MB 550 traps.

In the past, I used a hammer that I knew the weight of. I was trying to run my traps at 2 lbs tension and the hammer weighed close to that. I would adjust the pan until it could just barely hold the hammer w/out tripping. I guess you could use two known weights, one for the minimum lbs you want and one for the max. That way you'd know for sure you're in that range.

Cut two lengths of 2x4s, one that weighs less than what you want it to fire at, one that weighs more.

If ur trying to trap coons and possums for control purposes why would you worry about having any pan tension unless you are worried you have too much pan tension and you are missing some coons or possums?

Don't worry about the tester. You have one built into the end of your fingers. Your thumb works better than any tester out here.

I bought a tester once...it was a Waste of money. It sits somewhere never to be used again.

Also what comes out as "X" amount of tension in your garage often times changes a LOT after its in the ground after a rain and freeze.

I run Zero for coon now. and only "some" for coyotes (very little).

And remember, that Bob guy out of Indiana that catches truckloads of coyotes more than about anyone else uses a floppy pan on his coyote traps.

Never be fooled into anyone telling you, you need "X" amount of pan tension for certain animals. Find your own way in the big pan tension debate. trail and error with failures are the best teachers.

I am concerned about too much tension since coons will be one of my targets. I saw something on YouTube about bending the dog on MB 550s, which I have, to change pan tension. Kind of hate to do that but may have to. Other trappers say their 550s have about 4-5 lbs of tension out of the box. I think that's too heavy for me.

I like the 2x4 approach, that may be what I'll do.

I’ve had no problems with coons and possums tripping the pans on my 550s.....unfortunately.

Keep if you are running 4 coiled 550’s they may be up around 4 lbs. Making them 2 coiled will lessen the tension. Just an idea.

Thanks for the feedback. Maybe I'm being too cautious.

It depends on how old your 550s are. Older traps have a much lower pan tension than the newer offerings. I purchased new 550s and they all had 4 to 5 lbs of pan tension. I had older models that were in the 2.5 to 3 lbs of pan tension. These were all two coil traps.

The Duke 3's need the screw pretty tight to get a good tension and that cheap screw may not hold up.I think it's a very good idea to replace those factory screws with #10's from a place like MTP.While you have the pan out,use a small file to knock all the burrs off the pan shank,around the hole and also,de-burr the contact areas inside the pan post itself and use that brass washer that comes with the screw kit to take up some slop.If you do that,you can get any tension you want and it will be consistent.Not so,as it comes from the factory.

just tighten the pan so it holds itself up you may have to work it back and forth after waxing or dipping but your good to go loose pans aren't an issue unless you night latch or file the pan to a minimal throw

I use a dumbell 2,3, pounds. Sits well centered on pan and it's coated where the jaws hit. Cheap and you can find them at most box stores.

Mine are the newer 550s.

Use different amounts of water in bottled water bottles. Lift the free jaw and set it on the pan.

It takes a fairly significant bend in the dog to get the pan tension down to around 2.5 to 3 lbs. and when you do get to that point it is more difficult to set the trap without it prematurely going off and this also causes pan creep. I changed out all the stock springs on mine and added #2 music wire springs. Doing this put my pan tension between 2.5 and 3 lbs. and I had no issues with setting the trap or pan creep.