MB 550 Pan Tension Adjustment

I am a huge MB 550 fan. They are an excellent trap out of the box and need little adjustment, but one thing that I realized in getting my gear ready for the upcoming season was that some of my traps had a higher pan tension than I wanted. They are supposed to come at about two and half pounds of pan tension, some of my traps were maxing out my 4 pound tester. You can bend the dog to reduce the pan tension, but you can also file the dog, which is what I show in this video. To learn more about trapping be sure to visit www.coyotetrappingschool.com

[@roykeefe4202]

Finally someone that knows how to do this! I have seen many videos where they archive desired pan tension on MB550s by bending the dog, which intern can also change the pan height and how far the jaws open. Thank you for clearing this up. Just an observation, A file only cuts in one direction(forward)

[@pterion34]

I appreciate your video. I was shocked to see my mb550s were around 4-5 Lbs. Your video shows me how to fix them.

[@coyotetrappingschool1575]

I was surprised by that too

[@ralph5469]

I like the filing method. It allows you to micro adjust the pan tension, without going too far to the light side. Bending the dog can be faster, but, it doesn't allow you as much or easier micro adjustment, as filing does. Great info Kris.

[@coyotetrappingschool1575]

I like the filing over bending too!

[@mjuratich1]

Good info Kris, i decided after last season Im gonna slowly switch over to the mb 550

[@coyotetrappingschool1575]

I don't think you'll be disappointed!

[@derekstahl4110]

Have 2 dozen also duke is making a 550 and 650 in exactly same as 550. Way cheaper seems same to me don't know patent law internationally but same traps but if your looking for yote traps mb 650 hands down but $

[@THEMANWITHIN89]

COOL THANKS.THIS IS NICE TO KNOW.

[@OregonBeaverOutdoors]

Great video

[@coyotetrappingschool1575]

Thanks

[@stepfracturemaster8556]

"I'm more of an eyeballer than a perfectionist"...i love it!! I'm gonna use that line next time I paint the bathroom!! 😃😃

[@coyotetrappingschool1575]

That's a way to make the wife proud!

[@olehemlock]

Does the pan tension change much after waxing?

[@MrTrapper17]

I got 4 coiled 550s I saw tracks in my bed where critters stepped directly on the pan but the trap didn’t fire. I had polyfill under my pan I sat an 8 lb splitting mall on the pan and trap did not fire. Do the 4 coiled traps have more pan tension than the 2 coiled traps thank you great help

[@billeehighsmith7983]

A bit more, yes. Were they 8 pounds from the factory?

[@andrewsmith941]

What is it that you are doing when you set the trap and the pan is sloped up and you bend it down and it levels out and clicks

[@foxcoyotetrappingfawnlives5519]

Does waxing the traps lower pan tension on the mb 550s.

[@coyotetrappingschool1575]

Doubtful because you'll need to scrape the wax off the dog, or else it'll make the trap way to slippery and you'll get caught!

[@53kills]

I bought a Duke 550 and it was 4#+. Seems it stays at 3.5 forever and reaches a critical point and suddenly drops. Ended up at 2 But Im OK with that.

[@lokitrappingadventures6632]

great videos i speed dip my 550's but use bow wax just on dog it works good but not on pan and dog it is too much think if you try you will like

[@coyotetrappingschool1575]

That hasn't got you caught more when setting has it?

[@lokitrappingadventures6632]

@@coyotetrappingschool1575 no i dont gob it on and dont put on pan and dont file or bend dog it is also used on no bs k9 traps thats were i got it i am going to try filling a few bending is just too hard

[@grunt11b05]

What size file you use there?

[@coyotetrappingschool1575]

Haha, heck if I know, just a small file. I'm not great with details!

[@chipschwalm4617]

Files only cut one way on the push not the pull

[@dustyfarmer]

I witnessed a bloke trying to sharpen a chainsaw chain by whipping the file backwards across the teeth. I said "Do you want me to show how to sharpen a chain"? He snapped back " I know what I'm doing" I said OK.

[@andrewwolflethecatfishmast790]

You should make a video of how to laminate you're traps.

[@coyotetrappingschool1575]

I'm definitely no master welder, but I do have some lamination bars for the #2 Bridgers I've got. Might have to give it a go

[@linklesstennessee2078]

I like about 2 1/2 or just a smidge less I use my bobs Bender just barely bend the end of dog it don’t take much but that’s a good ideal CT

[@coyotetrappingschool1575]

I hadn't thought about that bender tool, that would probably make bending easier, thanks for that tip!

[@raydowdy6914]

Couldn't you just bend the dog in a vice to reduce pan tension?

[@mariolopez1613]

I wish you would put the camera closer to how you were doing in it a little hard to see thanks

[@mooseman320]

mb550s have cast jaws and dry firing is about the worst thing you can do to them!! who cares about the rubber sleeve on the tester, use it between the jaws you can always replace it.

[@coyotetrappingschool1575]

I've never heard of anyone having issues with those cast jaws on the MB550s

[@roykeefe4202]

Are they cast iron or cast steel? Big difference.