I’m working on modifying some 1.75 Duke 4 coil os for fox and coyotes. I put a crunch proof swivel on the base plate. Now my question how many inches of chain before my next swivel and then how many inches to the stake swivel?

Talking to a guy the other day he said he uses 6” between swivels then 12” more to stake swivel total 18”

Btw I’m using #2 machine chain and double stake swivel

Thanks

JT

Lots of guys like real short chains but I don’t. I would put 10” of chain, then a swivel, then 10” of chain. I like to have 2 feet or so of chain when it’s all said and done.

The Guy gave you some good advice! His system will work well for you.

Thanks guys.

The only reason to use “long” chains in this day and age would be soft soft ground or drag use.

The old timers advocated long chains because their anchoring options sucked and were limited.

The dog knot changed all that.

Modern earth anchors, good relatively firm ground, no need to run “long” chains.

Of course, “long” is subjective.

I run about 18”, because that’s about what the traps I use come with.

I've ran anywhere from 6" to 8'. I can tell you that unless you have reason to run a very short chain (like warrior does) that 6" sucks. You stake in the bottom of your trap bed and don't have room to move the trap out of the way after it is staked to do anything, it is always in your way. Long chains can be good if you are in bad ground, you may need to reach a ways to find a spot where you can drive a stake, or maybe chain it off to tree. But the longer the chain the more chain you have to bury or conceal. But generally 18"_24" should be the most versatile. If you need longer chain you can always add more chain with a quick link. I usually carry some lengths of chain and quick links with me. Like Boone I'll run what is on my traps and I have ones set up different ways, but if I am setting up traps from scratch with no chain on them I would swivel then 18-24" chain then swivel, then 18" chain with earth anchor.

Whatever chain is on the trap and a quick link to 16” of chained super stakes. Now it VERY rare I use all 16”, most of the time only about 8-10” deep.

I like enough chain that after I set my anchor I have enough to get the trap in a position to set it. This usually requires 16” minimum, I like 18 to 20” so I guess I’m in the short cha
In camp.

The main reason I like short is keeping catches pinned down out of sight.

I recall you stating that multiple times before, and makes perfect sense with where you trap. Seems like a good reason to me, but not one that a lot of us have. If I trapped where you do I would likely cut my chains shorter.

I use 24" OAL which includes: a swivel at the d-ring, enough #3 chain (5 links) to get a T-shock spring with swivels on each end to be outside of the trap jaws, another ~8" of #3 chain and a double stake swivel. Allows me to use double rebar stakes or by attaching with quick links: either a single or double earth anchor w/8" cable and 8" chain or a drag with 10' chain. All swivels are welded shut; quick links are locktited.

The main reason I don’t like a chain much shorter than 24” is because in my experience in the areas I trap if you go short, like wanna be said he does, you end up with dirt, snow/ice, and debris mounded upright around the anchor point, sometimes to the point where your swivels are rendered useless and you end up with effectively no chain.

This is not true for all locations or soil types, but I’ve experienced it enough times that I don’t use less than 18” of chain anymore, and I’d much rather have 24”. I’ll see if I can dig up a pic where you can see what I’m describing.

Here’s one you can kinda see it. The dirt and grass just wadded up on that chain and the swivel was no longer functioning. I don’t see that with longer chains.

That is definitely the case with short chain. In long grass you're more likely to get it bound up.

As I've said many times if I were anywhere else I'd be looking at drags.

There’s a case to be made for short chains in certain situations, but for the vast majority of the time a longer chain will be the better option, to an extent, in my opinion. Now I wouldn’t give a solid staked coyote 10 feet of chain to build up a head of steam, but 2’ isn’t gonna give him enough room to get any real momentum.

Thanks for all of the replies. Lots of good ideas


JT

I use 6 or 8 links.

If I was using rebar I think could be “pumped” out of the ground, I’d probably go with longer chain, at least longer than they could jump. I’ve seen both coyotes and cats jump straight up on camera numerous times immediately after being caught.
The only time I’ve seen swivels come close to clogging up is with possums, and they hug the deck. Of course they ain’t going anywhere anyways.
I really don’t see where a longer chain even with more swivels would make a difference with the debris or grass. If one gets “clogged” I’d think eventually they all would. Not saying anyone is wrong, y’all are more experienced than I, just saying I haven’t run into yet with larger predators. May have to eat my words on that in the future, lol.

Pumping is definitely an issue on shorter. Cross stake and go longer on stakes.

There you go Boone picking on your dad again, lol. I used about 12” to 18” of chain on my 550’s and 650’s with wolf fangs .
These are #4 long springs and 36” of chain and shock spring, they will be used with a 24” single stake .