Koro Traps have come out with a new trigger pan design on their rodent traps. At WCS we did a comparison overview of the new design vs the old design.See the video below or keep reading.
The new design no longer has a bar that goes over the strike bar to lock the strike bar in the set position via the pan. Instead, they incorporated a notch in trigger/dog system that the strike bar sits in. Originally the design of the trap was to have animals enter from the side not the front. However, over time people gravitated towards having the animal enter from the front. It was a wider bigger opening and naturally works. In addition, the old style the bar had the potential to throw the animal out of the trap when the trap was set off because the trigger bar would be pushed forward by the strike bar as it closed. The new design helps eliminate that issue.
The trap still has the same good safety system and tie down cable as the old system as well. It is still has still has the same high quality durable design and construction standard you expect from Koro.
We at WCS used to modify all our Koro Rodent traps we used in the field to incorporate a similar style trigger. So over the next few months we will be testing the new design as well. Look for an update in the coming months. From our initial examination of the trigger, it does feel a bit heavier, meaning it does seem to take a bit more pressure to set off. However, it can be fined tuned using a file and adjusting the notch. The old style set off on average around 1/2 of a pound. The new trigger averages out around the 1.5 lb of pressure using a Sullivan's pan tension tester. If you decide to adjust it, just make sure you don't file too much off as you can not add the metal back on and the trap may loose it ability to be set. Also you can extend the pan a bit out to allow for more leverage is the other option.
This trap is a lethal trap for rodents and should be handled with care. Also remember to check all local laws before using the trap to make sure you are following them in your area.
Tip: When setting the trap use a box that reduces the potential of non-target animal entering the trap. You can achieve this by putting a entrance reducing hole where the animal enters.
We at WCS, hope that this new design work well as it will save us a lot of work!