Saw once a Clint Locklear video on cable.............saying pan preasure for coyote .......is 5 lb.......seems too much to me..........and can it be tested accurately without purchasing a commercial tester......

Use a wooden handled hammer, one that weighs about the weight your looking for. Use it by setting the butt if the handle on the pan. If it goes off you need to adjust.
The wooden handle absorbs the shock and prevents any damage to the jaws. 3 1/2 lbs. is about right for me.

My tester only goes to 4 lbs if my memory is correct. Maybe 5 lbs.

Anyway, I like around 3lbs. Seems to be the sweet spot. Still pick up a possum or coon, but coyotes are always full pad catches.

Take a wood dowel rod, place it on the pan. Then put anything you know weighs 5lbs on top of the dowel.

I would much rather run 5 lbs than under 3 lbs. you’ll get deep paw catches with fewer non targets.

If I'm only targeting coyotes I run 8 pounds, but you still catch coon

Fill a plastic bottle like a soda bottle with sand/dirt while on a scale to get the weight you're looking for. I strongly suggest building a simple wooden fixture as you see in my video to help yoiu when making your adjustments. I used 3# - 3.5# pan tension for coyote & fox. I used this fixture for many years on #1.5’s up to and including TS-85’s.
https://youtu.be/YZswRV_WXwI

Seldom Lotta Young people don't know what that yellow thing is you were pointing with. I can remember when I was a kid that all my Dad used when he was building something..

LMAO! X10

youve never used a foothold and you think you know better then a dude who catches a crap ton of yotes with footholds?

I also run around the 3lb mark. I have the sullivan pan pressure testor but I have also used my 3lb hammer like 20scout mentioned both work fine

Hey thanks.......never would have thought that on my own........the advice of the handfull of people on this forum who are rational...logical....and honest....is appreciated ......