Quick link on wolf trap

i need some professional opinions on this . would it be advisable to put a 3-16 quick link on a wolf trap to connect to a 10 foot length of chain with a drag ? Im kind of skeptical about it , because of the sloppy. China made threads.Or should I just put another swivel on and weld it ? Chain already has 3 swivels.

Just my opinion, but I think 3/16 quick-links (2") are too small and could easily cause you a lost animal or a severe headache. I have used 5/16 quick-links (3") for wolves, but even then, they will sometimes stretch them out. Never had a fail on a wolf or an incidental black bear with the 5/16, but they will bend 'em out. Again, I'd be very leery of a quick-link as small as 3/16. If you've got the time, weld another link to connect the trap to the chain. Just my $.02.

Jack

Before I had a welder I would use those 3/16th for wolves. Never had any problems but a lap link with a spot weld in my preferred method. I noticed with the quick links after a few season I could break the link right at the threads with two pairs of pliers (threads got seized and I was in a bind)

I used them all the time on wolves. Never had a failure. But it certainly could happen if everything went wrong. Murphy will closely follow you when chasing wolves. I think Murphy is a closet wolf activist.

I use 1/4" quick links on my wolverine traps, and so far no issues. And they work them hard!

I've caught several while coyote trapping and never had a problem.
I do use short chains though.

I use 1/4" quick links. I have some 3/16" I started out using, but I never caught a wolf with one 3/16". There is a trapper here in Idaho who I think is on here who used 3/16" for setups just like you are talking, 8' of chain and a 3/16" quick link connected to cable around a tree. He caught quite a few wolves that way and never had one fail. But then he said he had one almost fail, so now he uses two 3/16" quick links. If I don't have a 1/4" handy I will use two 3/16" but it is easier to use one 1/4".

I have 1/4" quick links welded to my grapple drags I made, this is what I hook the chain to when using them. 5/16" would be stronger, but I think is unnecessary and I haven't tried it, but I wonder if they will fit through #5 chain links? I know 1/4" won't fit through #3 chain links without tapping them through with a hammer or rock. I have #3 chain on coyote traps and I've used 1/4" quick links on them and they need a little percussive persuasion to slide through the chain link. I think Jack uses #7 chain and so the 5/16" would probably fit that fine.

Just remember to tighten them with pliers! Finger tight and you run the risk of them backing off when the wolf is fighting and working the chain.

I am working my way away from quick links. Not into throwing wrenches in the field. Chestnut rings added with a welded lap link is now on most of my gear. If I need something changed with my set up a bow shackle accomplishes that need more efficiently. It is easier and faster, for me, to do the pass though hitch, as shown in page 32 of the Alaska Wolf Trapping Manual, for straight anchoring. 90% of my wolf and all of my wolverine sets are anchored solid with relatively long chains.

1/8 H.O.T. latch works perfectly for wolf traps. Quick, easy no tools needed and no moving parts to back off or fail. I've been using them on wolves for the last 14 tears never a failure or close call.

Not a wolf/wolverine trapper but bearcat2 hit it on the head...be sure to check your chain hole diameter as some quick link will not fit though....real headache in the field.

Thank you all, a lot of god info here. I have number 5 chain so I will have to see what works. Im going to work on these all summer until I'm satisfied with my set ups. We dont have huge wolves here 100 pounds would be a monster (but of course there are exceptions ) 70 to 85 would be a ave adult .

I catch a handful that reach 100lbs. Average adult males are usually mid 90s on my line.

Similar to what Bearcat said above - I've never lost a wolf with a 3/16" QL and only ever used one for years on a 8-10 feet of chain attached to a 1/8 cable. The only one I've come close to using was the only 100+ pounder I've ever caught. However, that particular one was able to get a full head of steam on the 10' chain. It spread the QL and probably wouldn't have been there in a few more hours. Since then I've gone to two 3/16" QLs on the terminal connection to drag or cable. Still use only one on earth anchors up close, but anchors are always backed up with a drag.

Most of the time the wolf is tetherballed up in the brush or around a tree, so after the initial shock load, the potential failure point is shifted from the QL elsewhere - e.g. swivels, tack welds, jaw hinges, etc. I think bigger is better to a point and I certainly defer to those with way more experience, but bigger QLs come with additional considerations as noted above such as needing welded rings or lap links, etc. in order to connect them.

There comes a point when it's good enough and more is just overkill - weight, cost, extra gear, etc. Always a lively and educational discussion though. Still recall Jack having a very "spirited" debate on the same topic with a couple students at one of the very first wolf certification classes....there was all sorts of debate about what and where the weakest link in the setup was and talk of D-6 dozers, etc. Luckily our L48 wolves aren't quite that big....

Here's 2 QLs on #5 chain, just for reference.

Jumper, were you at the 1st wolf class by Wallace with Jack and Toby.?

Deke - no, ours was shortly after that in Grangeville. Remember your pics of your son and Toby from that class though.