Try rubbing wax on the 5 contact points of the trigger.
Those points and the angles is where I'd study.

I was skeptical of the claims of traps never needing adjusted.
They can be perfectly tuned from the maker, then be beat by fork lift ops, trucking, unloaded and reloaded at fair grounds, ups guy etc.

If I had a big pounder and a small pounder I'd figure it out, but I don't so will now shut up.

Oh and the location on the pan,
where you take the tension test,
might be something to consider.

They went with a beefier 7 wrap spring a couple years ago and when they did, the tension changed from the factory in most that I have come across. I have the older 8 wrap springs. For the stiffer 7 wrap, file the dog down until desired pressure. I don't bend the dogs since I can't do it time after time at the same spot. When trappers come to my trapping Academy, 550 is the most common AND I have learned to check each and every one prior to field use.

That's a good point Mark. I had some older 550's, and the weren't the strongest. So I bought some a dozen newer ones, right from Tim at the convention. I told him I wanted 4 coils, and he was out. So, he whipped a few 4 coil springs on, and off i went. WOW, are they strong. Tough to set...and tough to tune.

I believe the new 550's are plenty strong 2 coiled. I will not 4 coil anymore of them. I just don't feel it's necessary.

yukonal, the 2 coil do everything we need them to do. Plus, any landowner will not be able to open a 4-coil if a domestic gets caught = BAD

Thanks for the information Mr. June. I have learned a ton from your dvds from the importance of interspersion to the types of sets you use that catches the critters. Before I was a truly frustrated water trapper trying to break the barrier to land trapping. I caught my first coyote using your two poop set. So sir I want to say thank you!

My dad and I have had better luck with the mb 550. The duke coyote traps don’t hold up as well as they should and after a big catch it needs repairs.

So have you used the Duke 550?

Beav I don't feel that a lot of the posters have even held the trap. Some of them just jump on the bashing band wagon because certain posters air out their opinions and don't have a clue other than what they have read. It doesn't matter if the mb 550 scandal was uncovered or not, they just stick their head in the sand because they just don't want to believe it.

So the new Duke 550’s, that are basically copies of the MB traps, are better than the Dukes of old? Or are you saying all Duke traps are better than the MB’s? Pretty sure people are going on past experiences and not wanting to waste money.

He never answered my question. So unless he has used a NEW Duke 550 he can't say the Duke coyote traps don't hold up.
I have used those traps and they hold up just fine.

T-Rev,
You are most welcome. Glad the DVDs came in handy.
Keep on keeping on!

Mark

I've been pleased with the Duke 550's although the levers could be a little stronger. With that said, in the future I'll go back to MB's . When my springs started to feel weaker I started adding a 3rd spring. Liked it so much that all my traps have been 3 coiled for years. Nice medium between 2 and 4 coil.

Interesting Archeryguy, what spring do you use to 3 coil?

I’m assuming he just puts on one spring on loose jaw side?

Good info people. I trapped back in the transition years of fox to coyotes and know trap failure all to well. I’ve had excellent service from my 15 year old MB 550 and 450’s. It’s possible I would try some once they get them figured out. I know back when they first started I bought some 1 1/2 coils and the pan stuck up way above the jaws and I never used them. I currently own 0 dukes but would consider their updated 550.

I don't like the thought of this. One lever is going to come faster. What happens to the slow lever and the trap jaws? Sounds like a bad idea.

That's why I asked the question, One of the reasons I 4 coil is for the mechanical advantage and to balance the power. Never tried it tho, might work Dunno.. Paw may end up in the corner..

If you have read Charlie Dobbins book on trap adjustment you would see that when the springs got weak on his coil springs he only replaced one spring.
Once the jaws are closed the leavers have created LOCK UP and the springs are not a factor any more. So I don't see where the single spring side Is going to act any different then the doubled spring side. The single sprung side Is not lagging behind when the trap Is closing.

I bought two mb550 two days ago and an mb450 yesterday and I am in love. They are great traps.

I’ve been considering the 450’s. Let me know how they do for larger critters. I only have the MB550’s and never had an issue with them.