Yep, I’ve lost a few anchors due to the s-hook opening so I started welding them. I’ve been questioning that decision because if I don’t weld them, I only loose the super stake. Danged if you do, danged if you don’t…

I weld everything on all mine, it's rare that I snap a chain pulling, usually it just bring up a basketball (or bigger) sized chunk of ground with it. I've given up very few anchor by welding every connection, plus helps to deter johnny sneakum

Looks good, I use the same setup.
Nothing better than a sterling swivel at base of trap.

Crossed stake or bullet stakes for me, and I use machine chain on all my traps. Not a fan of twin loop. Might be strong enough but binds and kinks when twisted and tangled.
I keep my chains short and use lots of swivels. Jacked stakes never an issue with crossed stakes or bullet stakes.
I am all about minimizing lunges and momentum. Long chain = longer distance to build up speed before hitting end of chain, need stout traps but the way coyotes throw their bodies around trying to escape you get full on shocks and full momentum on long chains. Test of equipment for sure.
Short chains, no chance to build up momentum or speed. Small catch circles, spins circles only no lunges, and I dont lose hardly any animals. Use short chains and lots of swivels. That's what I do anyway.
All of my predator traps are set up same way. Bridgers, B&Ls, Vics, coils, longs, montys, all of them. Even a few dukes.

If I didn't weld my s hooks I would seldom ever retrieve a super stake here. As is I figure on breaking one in ten welded s hooks.

Same thought that made me wonder if mine were too long. I think that if my chain were 4-6 inches longer there should probably be a shock spring in there. A coyote might bottom it out but maybe the spring will have slowed him down some before he hit the end.

Good trap, good hold you aren't loosing critters due to long chains. After that first lunge or two. They aren't doing it again. Short chain risks stake jacking and animals fighting trap much longer.

I used to be a short chain guy till I tried 18-24. No shock springs , no losses , more freedom on the remake. Seems they don't fight it as hard, sometimes theres not even a full blown circle. Burn circle is a lot more level, not near as much mounding. Short chains they never stop fighting. I learned that from the coyotes...and the guys out west with extended trap checks.

This is how I set up my #550's, I use super stakes with them.

trappergbus,
Do you consider anything under 18 inches a short chain? A 24 inch chain wouldn’t let a coyote build much steam before hitting the end.

rendezvous
Is that about 18 inches total length?

Lots of good ways to set these traps up and lots to think about.

Yes, total length is 18". It works well for me.

Under 12 would be short to me. Seems the yotes stop fighting at 18, 24 they just seem to walk around the circle. I know it seems off but in actual practice its different than what has been the accepted norm. Let the coyotes decide! Most the guys out west with extended checks use long chains, there's a good reason for that... As an added benefit you'll hold more coon too.

Consider a coyote front foot catch and what I call “jacking”. When in doubt longer is better.

Thanks trappergbus.

I took a JC Conner shock spring and added it after the mid-chain swivel similar to rendevous' pic. Total length came to just under 24 inches with four links of 2/0 twin loop chain. I think the shock spring will lessen the stress on both the twin loop chain and the j-hooks.

I'm not sure how I'll like this setup, I can see an issue getting the shock spring bedded in the rocky ground I trap in. I may go ahead and rig up 3 or 4 more just to give them a fair try.

Remember one thing with coyotes, if they detect a weakness when they attack the chain setup with their mouth they will exploit it till it fails. If it was me I'd replace the twin loop with machine chain. Much stronger and easier to work with when bedding. I've never felt the need for shock springs after over 1,000 coyotes..

They aint breaking my stuff ! LoL # 7 chain and 5/16 quick length

I keep waffling over my decision to keep the twin loop. The installation of the shock springs is a direct result of comments I’ve heard & read regarding twin loop and welding vs. not welding j-hooks and s-hooks. I feel pretty good with that trap chain but as I mentioned I think bedding will be a problem.

I have more than enough #2 welded machine chain to replace the twin loop with. Thankfully I’ve got a little time before I start using these traps, lol.

One thing I think would be helpful is some pics of twin loop chain that has or is very near failure. I’ll be surprised if anyone posts any good pics, NOT because it hasn’t happened, but because I think folks quit using twin loop before it became so convenient to take pictures.

The top trap is unmodified, the middle trap is the same as I showed in my opening post and then the shock spring added.

Looks like the chain of my swing set! LoL!