Reinventing The Wheel?

[moxy 617]

All metals will weaken over time. Corrode, stretch and in particular loose their spring.

As I said earlier. Traps were tested to destruction and I believe the measurements in the finished triggers are about the limit.

That takes into account the extra stretch needed to open and set the larger triggers.

But!! As no one has tested these for a great amount of time and on a regular basis yet! A conclusion can't be drawn as to the longevity of the trap springs.

However at a quid fifty a trap the likelihood is that traps paid for itself and some! On its first outing. With the few humble catches mine have had I'm in profit.

Not something I would be loosing sleep over.

 

In fairness. Although there is more pressure between the prongs with the larger triggers it doesn't require much more effort to make the trap fire.

Works in progress

[Nicepix 5,650]

If anyone is wanting to try the type of thing Moxy is suggesting there are similar types of triggers sold in France. They are used in a scissor type trap and will need a bit of filing to sit right. Perhaps the guy supplying Putanges might be able to get hold of some? They aren't expensive.

 

I have played around with them myself and not found any improvement, but a little tweaking here and there might be all that is needed. They are slightly wider than conventional triggers, but you can file them down a bit if necessary as I have done with the one in the photo. I tried different profiles on the lower part. They weren't all like this.

 

Edited April 21, 2016 by Nicepix

[smithie 2,444]

got to have the 2 faces sitting between trap flat and paralel to each other or it will try pop out all the time unless the part im talking of is wider at the bottom then it will sit but wont want to pop as it wont push over very easily...

 

hope that makes sence.

[Phil Lloyd 10,739]

Many of the traps that I have been concerned about,..had issues,...mostly regarding basic Humaneness and killing efficiency...However,...that is a story for another place..and another time...

 

The Putange kills pretty quick,...I've heard 'the click' and taken a peek,...they are well hit,...it is all over, nice and quick, finito.... Personaly,...I am sticking with the supplied wire triggers and abiding by the old maxim,.."If it ain't broke",.etc, etc..

[nod 285]

I have been using these wider triggers for couple of months now and find them to be better than the originals. Not sure how to add pics from my phone to here

[MAG1980 116]

I must admit i was alittle dubious at first but have to say i do like them for the right situation. Alot of the runs are soft soil and quite damp with the recent showers and yes the triggers have started to rust but its of no concern like moxy said all metals will rust and as you know a quick going over with wire brush does the trick.

As for wear & tare with the wider triggers on the traps in the time ive been using them a couple putanges seem to be over stretched if you get what i mean and notice on release of the trigger they arnt pinching together like they would with the original triggers. Ive also tried them on Nomols with good results. As the Nomol is a thinner diamater to the putanges the wider triggers release smoother so the mole needs less force to active the trigger.

ATB

 

Mick

[smithie 2,444]

As for wear & tare with the wider triggers on the traps in the time ive been using them a couple putanges seem to be over stretched if you get what i mean and notice on release of the trigger they arnt pinching together like they would with the original triggers.

ATB

 

Mick

 

i did same thing to my traps at first, it wasnt bad but you could see daylight between the pronges. i think it was because i was using the setting pliers too close to the coil of the trap and the trigger is 35mm at narrow part but i was opening it too far like the trigger was 45mm. now i open them so the trigger goes in comfortable but move the setting pliers up the trap closer to the trigger putting less strain on the coiled part..

[stormyboy 1,352]

Interesting stuff. I've had a few jobs with wide tunnels recently and had traps backfilled. Put some in with the triggers sideways to try. Unfortunately caught a couple by the front foot. I'm guessing the mole has pushed the trigger with its foot as it sits lower down. I think a square trigger could remedy this?

[Nicepix 5,650]

Interesting stuff. I've had a few jobs with wide tunnels recently and had traps backfilled. Put some in with the triggers sideways to try. Unfortunately caught a couple by the front foot. I'm guessing the mole has pushed the trigger with its foot as it sits lower down. I think a square trigger could remedy this?

Pop them in on their side Bill if you think the trap isn't filling the tunnel.

[stormyboy 1,352]

I've had good results in normal tunnels, but Some tunnels were half the width of the prongs again so moley must have been coming up against the prongs rather than the trigger, hence the backfill? I'll try side on, thanks. Fat fecking moles here!

Edited April 21, 2016 by stormyboy

[earth-thrower 494]

Aye,.... these traps would never be 'first choice', for most of the 'mole runs', i come across, up here,........but, some useful information, given , about potential improvement, of the trap ? (for those, who rely on them)

Edited April 23, 2016 by earth-thrower