Reinventing The Wheel?

[moxy 617]

Another moling topic. Apologies but hey ho!!

 

Putange triggers.

 

I could have posted this thread earlier but wanting to try these traps fully in most situations I work in, I've been doing just that.

The concept came briefly from someone who is into fettling with traps. We were given a rough measurement and an idea.

I say we loosely. in all honesty my contribution was presenting the idea to a man who can and mulling over concepts.

 

A few traps were harmed in the making of these!!

 

Now. I tried the original triggers and passed the traps on to others to have a play. I must admit. The whole trap was alien to me and I'm not one for change, so I didn't gel with them from the off.

Yes I caught but found the triggers fiddly. I agree, with practice comes results. But I still found the triggers awkward and I've had a few misfires and non catches.

As have others if truth were told.

 

So. A few prototypes were made by the man who can. Some worked. Some didn't.

The idea was to open the trap to its limit before stretching the spring too much.

Not only did this open the prongs to the width of the tunnel but it also gives you a little more bite out of the trap when it fires.

 

The modified trigger is easier to set although a different setting tool is needed and the chance of misfires are greatly reduced. Well. I haven't had one since using these triggers.

 

I know everyone is set in their ways and if things work for you your unlikely to have a change.

I'm also not saying they are the bees knees. Can't argue with over 100 years of the traps use.

But I think they make a big improvement. In my opinion.

 

They are not for sale. I'm presenting the concept and idea. If you have the means then copy it

 

[moxy 617]

[MR TEA POT 1,287]

Looks like a Facebook group design to me ?

[earth-thrower 494]

I like what your presenting here, with the trigger 'modification' ?, & i can see how it could be, beneficial ?

[moxy 617]

Looks like a Facebook group design to me

shut it you

 

Earthy. The idea works. Although the tolerances push the trap to the limit.

[MR TEA POT 1,287]

 

Looks like a Facebook group design to me

shut it you

 

Earthy. The idea works. Although the tolerances push the trap to the limit.

??

[Nicepix 5,650]

There are off the shelf triggers available that are designed for a scissor type trap but can be adapted quite easily to fit a Putange. They are slightly wider and the lugs need some work with a file.

 

 

These are one type, there are shorter, wider ones as well.

 

 

I've tried them just out of curiosity, but don't find them any better than the original triggers. To be perfectly honest I get so few misfires that it isn't worth the trouble.

[smithie 2,444]

Well hats off for trying.

 

If something works for you there's no point in change.

[moxy 617]

Nicepix. We never even looked for off the shelf alternatives.

The triggers I have posted about are specific for the putange. Measured tolerances and laser cut.

I agree they are nothing new. The concept of variations in triggers has probably been played with over the years.

The idea was given to us by someone who had already done it. Albeit for a similar trap to the putange.

The man who can merely copied and adapted.

The point of this thread isn't a pissing contest or for high fives and back slapping. It's to show what can be done. Discuss. Share ideas and improve.

 

[Phil Lloyd 10,739]

Good, informative post Moxy..

 

Same as yourself,..I am all for trying new methods to improve my catch rate,..fresh concepts,..different ways of looking at the job, etc,..and,..I did mention the idea of 'spreading the wings' of the Putange,..to that man on here,..who can make things... As you know,..there already exists a metal tongue to fit these traps,.they can be purchased online via the French Connection.. I have used them,.plus some others, forwarded to me via Smithie,...and also modified other ones, off old style Scissor Traps... They all work,...but,...in my opinion,...and it is only an opinion.....when you force the prongs apart,..in an unnatural way,..ouch ...it seems to create a tension that makes the trap far harder to fire... Yes, it does allow the target species to get his head into the strike area,.(the killing zone),.but, by the same token,. he realy does have to push hard and go for it, in order to fire the trap..

 

Left,as they come out of the box,...I still feel that this trap works pretty well,...to date,..I have had very few fired traps or misses..Most of the mole tunnels locally, are fairly narrow,...I don't need a trap with a wider entrance,.in fact,..the traps fit real snug in the tubes. Obviously,.it makes sense to get the animal to move straight through the pipe with no obstacle in its way,..but, I find the moles are well used to squeezing through tight burrows, in the Downland chalk and flint,...and they are invariably caught right behind their ears,...just right..

 

Once again,..many thanks for taking the time out to post,...much appreciated...

All the best, Phil.

[Nicepix 5,650]

Nicepix. We never even looked for off the shelf alternatives.

The triggers I have posted about are specific for the putange. Measured tolerances and laser cut.

I agree they are nothing new. The concept of variations in triggers has probably been played with over the years.

The idea was given to us by someone who had already done it. Albeit for a similar trap to the putange.

The man who can merely copied and adapted.

The point of this thread isn't a pissing contest or for high fives and back slapping. It's to show what can be done. Discuss. Share ideas and improve.

 

Yes, I said last year that the more UK trappers who use these Putanges the better chance we'll have of improving them or the methods used. The off the shelf triggers would be useful for those who can't make their own, but would be able to do a bit of filing to make them work. They aren't expensive. I've got some laying around somewhere and will measure the width once I find them. That will give you a idea of whether it is worth ordering a few to adapt. I would imagine making them individually from sheet steel would be both time consuming and expensive.

 

I am surprised that there is a need for a wider trap as often I'd have to force the regular Putanges into the tunnel as the top of the prongs catches the top of the tunnel, and I find the slightly wider stainless ones are more prone to needing a little help to fit inside. One tip I can suggest is that if the trigger keeps displacing as you try to place the traps, put your setting tool behind the trigger so it is laying flat against the prongs, pushing the trigger against the cord, and it supports the trigger as you push the trap in.

[shropshire mole 190]

I don`t use them often, as Moxy said they are a bit fiddly, you need the trap and pliers to hand. But when I do, am pleased with the results

Just wonder by forcing the prongs wider, that over time this actually will weaken the spring?

[Nicepix 5,650]

Good, informative post Moxy..

 

Same as yourself,..I am all for trying new methods to improve my catch rate,..fresh concepts,..different ways of looking at the job, etc,..and,..I did mention the idea of 'spreading the wings' of the Putange,..to that man on here,..who can make things... As you know,..there already exists a metal tongue to fit these traps,.they can be purchased online via the French Connection.. I have used them,.plus some others, forwarded to me via Smithie,...and also modified other ones, off old style Scissor Traps... They all work,...but,...in my opinion,...and it is only an opinion.....when you force the prongs apart,..in an unnatural way,..ouch ...it seems to create a tension that makes the trap far harder to fire... Yes, it does allow the target species to get his head into the strike area,.(the killing zone),.but, by the same token,. he realy does have to push hard and go for it, in order to fire the trap..

 

Left,as they come out of the box,...I still feel that this trap works pretty well,...to date,..I have had very few fired traps or misses..Most of the mole tunnels locally, are fairly narrow,...I don't need a trap with a wider entrance,.in fact,..the traps fit real snug in the tubes. Obviously,.it makes sense to get the animal to move straight through the pipe with no obstacle in its way,..but, I find the moles are well used to squeezing through tight burrows, in the Downland chalk and flint,...and they are invariably caught right behind their ears,...just right..

 

Once again,..many thanks for taking the time out to post,...much appreciated...

All the best, Phil.

Phil,

You'll no doubt find that over time the prongs and triggers will need a little work with a wire brush or emery cloth. If you don't the trigger will become harder to displace. If you push the trigger over and it doesn't displace before it gets to almost horizontal (about 30 degrees from the horizontal) it needs work IMO. Sometimes, dependent on how corroded the trap is a new trigger is the best remedy. Some areas are worse than others for causing oxidisation of the traps. I would imagine that your chalky areas will be less prone to this, whilst anyone trapping in coniferous areas would see a quicker oxidisation.

 

The further you force the prongs apart the greater the tension you create as you rightly say. Another aspect is that it may reduce the working life of the traps as the spring becomes weakened.

[smithie 2,444]

I did mention the idea of 'spreading the wings' of the Putange,..to that man on here,..who can make things...

 

very true phil did have input and a few pm,s went back and forth.

 

as for the price.... anybody could get there own made to any design from sheet steel local to them for 3p/5p per unit if you bought enough and they were a similar size to them pictures moxy posted...

[smithie 2,444]

I don`t use them often, as Moxy said they are a bit fiddly, you need the trap and pliers to hand. But when I do, am pleased with the results

Just wonder by forcing the prongs wider, that over time this actually will weaken the spring?

 

 

probably but at £1.45 a trap (delivered) from norfolk trapper im happy to replace them just to be happy with the way its set..