rabbitmad 2 Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 hello guys, i have been asked by a farmer if i can do a bit of mole trapping for him and i am wondering what type of traps to use, i have never done it before but i am willing to get into trapping them, i have a few farmers ask me if i can do it but i had to tell them no, so it is time to learn this skill because it could lead to bigger and better things so any advice given is very welcome, thanks, rabbitmad. Quote Link to post
Tom Crichton 21 Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Flatpack half-barrel traps,very good traps imo, a few others would probably tell you the same.https://www.theflatpack.co.uk/merchantmanager/product_info.php?cPath=3&products_id=9 Quote Link to post
rabbitmad 2 Posted February 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 hello mate, thanks for the advice and i have watched a few vids on youtube so i have ordered 10 so i will let you know how i get on in due time with fingers crossed, thanks, atb, rabbitmad. Quote Link to post
Tom Crichton 21 Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 no problem, dont rush when setting them. You might get them filled with soil but think about why and reset,once you get used to it,it will be like riding a bike Quote Link to post
Matt 160 Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Hmmm, I'm not sure about Flat Packs to be honest.... I've got about a hundred of them; in fact, I set a few today.. but there are a number of problems with them.... Firstly, like all modern traps, compromises have been made to help ease manufacture which have made them less than perfect. When you compare them with an original trap made by J N Duffus himself, you will notice some significant differences.... The Duffus family designed their trap with trapping moles in mind.... all the modern versions have been designed with profit and ease of manufacturing in mind.. they are all copies of copies, and it shows... Anyway, onto the Flatpack itself. Like all modern traps, a degree of 'modification' is needed to make them effective..., OK, so the FP needs slightly less modification than some, but it does still need a bit of 'tuning'. Here lies the first problem... the triggers are simply too hard to make the essential 'tweaks' easy.... And then for the major problem I have with them... below, you can see a picture of a trap that's less than a year old (when the picture was taken)... now, granted, my traps have to work hard to earn their keep, and live underground for much of the year... but, really? Now, I'm a big fan of Bethel Rhodes traps.... in fact, the FP is a copy of the Bethel Rhodes trap, not because the BR is perfect, or even a close comparison to it's forebear, the real Duffus trap, but because the finish is good, and they are easy to tune up. When a british manufacturer actually produces a trap akin to the original Duffus trap, that lasts as well as the original, I'll buy them buy the hundreds and sing it from the rooftops.... In the meantime, to answer the original question; the FP is OK, the BR is better, but for the novice moletrapper you'll find it easiest to get hold of the Magnum Trap Company and buy in some of Asia's answer to the Duffus.............. The Talpa Trap. Quote Link to post
IanB 0 Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Hmmm, I'm not sure about Flat Packs to be honest.... I've got about a hundred of them; in fact, I set a few today.. but there are a number of problems with them.... Firstly, like all modern traps, compromises have been made to help ease manufacture which have made them less than perfect. When you compare them with an original trap made by J N Duffus himself, you will notice some significant differences.... The Duffus family designed their trap with trapping moles in mind.... all the modern versions have been designed with profit and ease of manufacturing in mind.. they are all copies of copies, and it shows... Anyway, onto the Flatpack itself. Like all modern traps, a degree of 'modification' is needed to make them effective..., OK, so the FP needs slightly less modification than some, but it does still need a bit of 'tuning'. Here lies the first problem... the triggers are simply too hard to make the essential 'tweaks' easy.... And then for the major problem I have with them... below, you can see a picture of a trap that's less than a year old (when the picture was taken)... now, granted, my traps have to work hard to earn their keep, and live underground for much of the year... but, really? Now, I'm a big fan of Bethel Rhodes traps.... in fact, the FP is a copy of the Bethel Rhodes trap, not because the BR is perfect, or even a close comparison to it's forebear, the real Duffus trap, but because the finish is good, and they are easy to tune up. When a british manufacturer actually produces a trap akin to the original Duffus trap, that lasts as well as the original, I'll buy them buy the hundreds and sing it from the rooftops.... In the meantime, to answer the original question; the FP is OK, the BR is better, but for the novice moletrapper you'll find it easiest to get hold of the Magnum Trap Company and buy in some of Asia's answer to the Duffus.............. The Talpa Trap. Matt, the original flatpack didn't have the delta protekt coating they later added, the originals corroded more like shown on your post.. Quote Link to post
Dr mole 15 Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Like Ian says, the Flatpacks from the last 3 years or so don't corrode like they used to. I saw some of the Bethel traps that Donks brought and can't say I was very impressed. Never had any problem tuning the Flatpack traps, but other than the mumble pins they work just fine straight from the box for most moles. Quote Link to post
Matt 160 Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Like Ian says, the Flatpacks from the last 3 years or so don't corrode like they used to. I saw some of the Bethel traps that Donks brought and can't say I was very impressed. Never had any problem tuning the Flatpack traps, but other than the mumble pins they work just fine straight from the box for most moles. Yep, I've heard that already The thing is.... FP weren't exactly forthcoming with an apology or an offer to replace the duff traps or even reimburse me for the expense of coating them in Speed Dip. I haven't bought any more, and don't plan to either... The Bethel Rhodes are far from perfect; I had a heated conversation with the guy in charge of the shop floor last year because of the standard of traps they were sending out at that time. His attitude was that they'd made them like that for 30+ years, so it must be fine.... If you've never done it; get your hands on the real McCoy if you can They are quite something to see and feel; you can feel the love and dedication that's gone into designing and making them and they put the modern crap to shame.... Last year I bought literally hundreds of Bethel Rhodes traps; some to use, and some to sell on. I'm not selling them at present because I'm not happy about putting my name to traps that are burred and soft as shite and until I get word from BR that they've sorted them out I won't be either BUT........ given the choice, I prefer to buy British, and the BR is the only british trap that I'd recommend (reluctantly) at present Quote Link to post
Matt 160 Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Just to add, Killgerm stock BR traps and will sell to anyone. Quote Link to post
Matt 160 Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Spot the difference? Quote Link to post
Matt 160 Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Old Hampshire Wasp has some piccies of the 'real deal'.... I'll ask him to post them up. Quote Link to post
Phil Lloyd 10,738 Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 (edited) Most contemporary traps will catch their chosen target,...but some will do it,.slightly better... Edited February 19, 2014 by Phil Lloyd 1 Quote Link to post
Tom Crichton 21 Posted February 19, 2014 Report Share Posted February 19, 2014 Spot the difference? Flatpack on the left, bethel rhodes on the right Quote Link to post
Matt 160 Posted February 19, 2014 Report Share Posted February 19, 2014 One is a Bethel Rhodes the other is a Proctor (far eastern crap). Quote Link to post
Mr Wasp 187 Posted February 19, 2014 Report Share Posted February 19, 2014 The only pictures I can find of the original are these: Quote Link to post
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