I have used a couple dozen Duke 550 offsets the past two seasons. I really like the way they bed and the PIT pan and rod dog.

I have noticed a problem with them. Debris (such as peat moss) can “jam up” at the lugs and hold the jaws open enough to allow escapes.

I have talked to a few top tier fox trappers and they have noticed the same thing. Some tell me they compensate by always making sure there in no peat above the jaws.

My question is, has anyone noticed this with other coverings or with straight dirt?

I have been using them for 10 years. mine are not dukes. Most of mine are four coiled. I have used lots of peat, maybe a 1/4" over the trap. I also use salt on 90% of my sets. I have had two or three small stones cause the same problem. Can't recall ever having a problem with peat.

Goes without saying "I sift my peat moss".

Are you using sifted peat moss or the peat with sticks in it? The only issues I’ve had have been my own fault of have small guide sticks get moved into the trap bed and causing issues. I sift my peat moss too.

I have not had that problem and I use alot of peat moss. I sift my peat moss.

It's an issue with all traps, just exaggerated with offsets.

Only time I've ever had an issue is when I was too lazy to sift my peat moss first. Changed out to waxed sand and think I may stick with that instead of peat.

I sift my peat as well. Keep in mind that this may not be an issue with a larger footed coyote. But with fox that gap is quite wide if held open just slightly.

Butch, do you have the stones get caught in the lugs or elsewhere?

Some MB 550s have a different style lug and the Dukes have the flat spot lug like the older MBs.

550 offsets are about to big for Grey’s and I get foot damage. I’m switching to all regular jaw traps, both 550’s and 450’s. Too much slide room for anything smaller than a coyote or cat with offsets.

Dukes??

Very small stone in the lug. I've been buying MB's since 2010 so some of mine are older. Haven't bought any for the past few years. I probably have only caught 20 fox in mine.

I’ve only had this happen with small stones, but it’s happened on several kinds of traps, not just 550s

They make mayonnaise, right?

My peat sifter is 1/8”.

I can assure you this problem is not with large pieces of debris. That happens with every trap.

Call me crazy, but I think the design lends itself to this issue more than traditional traps.

Could it be that the surface is wider and the covering rides it the whole way up where a traditional jaw trap cuts through better?

I took a flapper disc to the lugs on mine to make them smooth. Being cast its surface gives traction to the debri so it sticks on them from the force of the trap firing. With a smooth surface the debris will give way easier as the trap fires due to less traction.