MB 550

Thinking about getting some MB 550 traps. Do you use the 4 coiled for winter conditions to fire threw the snow or are the two coiled fine.

I've got both. I've found that if your traps are being hindered by freezing in/down, four coiling isn't going to make that much of a difference. The traps are still sluggish.

i have some mb550 2 coils and they are plenty strong. i think 4 coils are a little overkill

I have both but I think the 4 coil is over kill in my opinion.

The 4 coil will have more pan tension then the 2 coil will

No they won't. I have both and all set at 4 pounds.

I've been using them for several years and started out with 4 coiled but now I'm running mainly all two coil, they are plenty strong enough

From what I’ve seen this winter 2 coil is perfect

ok... I just learned something new, because I thought the purpose for going with a 4 coiled trap was to break through the snow etc.....

2 coil is all you need. I have held 100 plus pound hogs in them.

I ordered 12 4 coil this year, yea too strong, removed the helpers and will put them on some older weakened ones next season

It depends on your winter conditions and how much cover they have to go through. How much snow and frost depth does Texas have compared to the northern states?

Two coil is fine for fall to mid November in Minnesota. But come consistent below zero weather, with 1-4 ft of snow and the need for waxed dirt etc, might be a completely different story.

I can speak to the last post as I lived and trapped in Michigan the first 45 years or so of my life, moved to Nebraska, land of short harsh winters, and now reside and trap in Texas. I have trapped in 18 states all told.

I have used MB 650, MB 550 4 coiled and now use only MB 550 2 coil, offset model, which has done the job in 13 of those states I mentioned. They didn't make the MB550's when I trapped the other states back in the 1970-1980's. I use 100% wax dirt when conditions turn chilly or VERY wet. Frozen dirt will stop a trap no matters the # of coils, and I learned the hard way that land owners cannot figure how to open the more powerful 4 coil. Some prefer 4 coil, but I can't find a reason to use them, and there are a few good reasons I don't. I use my gear as the tools of the trade and as any vocational worker does, we use the best we can afford, the best for the situation, and so forth. If I didn't have to worry about domestic catches sometimes, I would probably get all Jakes!

Mark

Then you have some strange MB 550s.

I agree, if I could afford it, and didn't have to worry about domestic dogs, I'd run 100% Jake traps. However, the MB 550 offset 2 coil is a great trap. I've never seen the need to 4 coil them. I did get a dozen of the Duke knock offs to try this season. They did their job, but they will need adjusting after the season. I've never had bend levers, or bent frames with the MB's. Just a great trap.

Thanks all, I ordered 6 of them to try. I currently have MB650 but the pan tension doesn't seem to stay true. I had a coyote all over one a couple weeks ago and it didn't fire. Waxed dirt with wax paper. Took a stick and it fired fine. I have read where the 650's are finicky. I like how both jaws get locked and it makes bedding them easy.