Harbor Freight Animal Trap With A Safety Pin Style Locking Mechanism
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
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I purchased this trap at Harbor Freight. However, we couldn't figure out the best way to secure the release door with this style of locking mechanism.
When I figured out how to make sure the release door was tight, I decided to make this video. Enjoy! :)
NOTE: If you're using peanuts to trap squirrels be aware, Blue Jays will venture into the cage to steal the peanuts. I've even witnessed a Blue Jay that jumped on the traps trip plate, loosening it just a little, to get to a peanut in the back of the cage. Then shortly after it flew out, the trap door was sprung.
(Video Editing Software Used - Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD 11)
I know this video is really old but I bought this same trap today based on good reviews. I actually did catch a wild tom cat that managed to somehow muscle his way out of it through the entry point (weird) while I was loading the trap into the back of my pickup truck. It sucks that he came out, but good thing it wasn't at 60 mph😂. Gonna give it another shot & if another cat escapes I'm taking that crap back to harbor freight lol.
I have two of these HF traps. I caught the 1st 2 cats without trouble, both females and not especially large. However, the next cat was a very large and fractious male. I have a camera on the trap so I was able to watch just how he was escaping. He was able to get a foot under the trap door and in his struggles he actually twisted the open end enough and bow the edges around the end, forcing the gate open. I reinforced the ends to prevent them from bowing, and added some zip ties to help stiffen the entire cage. I almost lost this cat in my next attempt but got to the trap before he plowed his way out. Since, I've found them functional with smaller cats (females) but don't trust them when I'm targeting a large, excitable cat. The first time I took the big Tom, I "bungied" the heck out of the trap door end. When I picked him up, the vet clinic had simply zip tied that end closed. Now, I secure that end with zip ties before I leave the house. The vet uses the back door anyway. I'd NEVER attempt to trap a raccoon in these traps. They are very limited and cheap for a reason, but for some of us, a Hav-a-Heart is too expensive.
Thank you. I have been going crazy trying to figure this out.
Thanks, Brian! This is a great video...very clear and useful. Good luck with the squirrel!!
Thank you so much. I couldn't figure out what to do with the pin from the instructions.
You're Welcome! I'm actually not using the pin like I should, but I noticed that critters are more likely to escape if the pin used as suggested.
Confused on how to open that door with the safety pin lock without also needing a screw driver or scissors. Racoons or a cat could easily scratch you while trying to undo the safety pin right? Need to see a longer video to understand how this works from set up to release
I would always wear thick leather gloves when trying to release an animal. I would go to a harbor freight and see if there's anyone there that could answer your questions.
Great info, i have the same trap. U just improved it. Thx
Thanks a lot, this worked good for me. Caught 2 cats in less than an hour!
You're welcome! :) By the way, if you have the chance, check out some of my other videos, ads on the videos, and consider subscribing. Also, don't forget to share your favorites. It helps me continue to make more videos and helps pay the bills. Thanks again! :)
Thanks for taking the time to post it!
You’re welcome!
wish i had seen this earlier my wood chuck escaped
Very nicely explained .No need to read manual .
Thanks Jannat!!! :)
I purchased the same Harbor Freight humane trap, and an animal managed to force its way out of the trap, pulling off the front door in the process. I am hoping that someone will see this comment and point me in the direction of something that will help me repair and reattach the front door so I can continue using the trap. Thank you.
awsome thank u I had so many problems with the best way thx bro
You're Welcome Eric Castaneda! By the way, if you have the chance, check out some of my other videos, ads on the videos, and consider subscribing. I have a wide variety of videos available. Also, don't forget to share your favorites. It helps me make a little extra money and more videos. Thanks again! :)
The chain and bar mechanism that comes with these traps is responsible for the bad reputation HF traps have with people who do TNR regularly. The chain and bar and safety clip should be discarded as soon as you get the trap. What DOES work in an intuitive and foolproof way to secure the rear door on these traps is a 1" steel spring clamp also sold at Harbor Freight. Here is a link, although if this link becomes a dud over time just go to the HF site and look for a 1" steel spring clamp. They are usually on sale for 99 cents.
www.harborfreight.com/1-inch-capacity-steel-spring-clamp-39569.html
The advantage of the clamp is it works without fail, it's quick to put on or take off and will cause no confusion with the vet staff who will be working with the trap once you deliver the trapped cat to the vet. It will hold the door tightly shut even with a raccoon inside. I've been using these traps and the spring clamps for eight years doing TNR and unconditionally recommend using these small strong clamps to secure the rear door.
It is extremely important to know with these HF traps that you need to put tie-wraps on the spring door once the cat is trapped. A cat full of adrenaline (remember, a truly feral cat, even a small one, has amazing strength when they are trapped and in survival mode). They can force their way through the bottom of the spring door. This usually happens during transit - which results in the cat suddenly finding itself in a completely unfamiliar environment and of course you'll never see that cat again, plus sit will now be "trap shy" for the rest of its life and thus more difficult to trap.
So. Use two tie-wraps, one on each corner, securing the bottom of the spring door to the trap body. With each of my traps I use a tie-wrap to hold about ten new tie-wraps onto the trap so they will always be at hand. This is extremely important to do. Some trap designs are more secure than the HF traps and don't need this extra precaution but those traps are also more expensive. The HF traps are fine if used while taking into account the points I've mentioned.
1. Throw away the bar and chain crap that comes with the trap and use a steel spring clamp for securing the rear door.
2. Have tie-wraps at hand to secure the spring door once you've trapped the cat, especially before you pick up the trap to take the trapped critter to the vet or clinic.
3. Check for sharp edges or wire points inside the trap when you first get the trap.
Mike in San Diego
You should make a video. I'm trying to catch two cats tonight. Bought two of these crates and am completely confused about what parts need to be secured.
I still think I will use a plastic zip tie for added insurance. the last cat got out (not sure how it was set but it got out)
Brilliant!
Thanks!
The video would have been better if you gave a demonstration of how the cage works from setting it up, setting the trip mechanism, and then releasing the animal. It wouldn't have taken that much longer and would have helped those of us who are thinking of buying this trap. Also, you never mentioned that is the rear of the cage you are describing. I initially thought how is that end of the cage going to catch an animal if the door closes from the bottom up.
You're welcome! :)
ok cool
Where do I put the food?
Somewhere in the back of the cage so the critter has to walk over the trip plate.
Caught the cat and it blew the bottom clips off the exit door. Cheap crap
if you have a skunk in there I don't see this as being easy to release. Any methods to use that thing with a skunk ?
Or you can throw that rediculous safety-pin thing in the trash and secure the door with a cheap key-ring carabiner.
Thanks for this video! I had trapped a cat recently; it was pretty terrified. Once I approached the cage to cover it with a towel, the cat pushed with all its might and in one fell swoop ejected itself from the other side of the cage. The trap door side from which it entered. It was so scary! I did see the cat on another occasion and I fully expected to see it's face injured pretty badly but luckily it was fine. How did this happen? I am certain the trap door was set correctly. Thank you.
You’re welcome! Not sure how you had a problem with the cage. Good luck next time. 😀
I didn’t know what the stick was I thought it’s for staking to the ground to keep the cage in one place
Thanks!! If you want to see the cage in action check out, "Harbor Freight Animal Trap In Action." I caught a squirrel but it wasn't Snaggle Tooth. Only a matter of time I suppose. :)
Thank you Brother. I wound up just using the clipto secure the door and ignoring the oin altogether, and my pin says it is a safety stake on the instructions, with I find rediculous.
I'm glad the video helped. These traps aren't made the best that's for sure.
I prayed and it worked, lol. The cat kept going in and it wouldn't trigger the stupid trap. I prayed, Please God help me catch this guy so I can take him in and get him some help" and voila, my wife came in an hour later and he was in there. Thank you Jesus! The hoarders next door have moved out and now I am slowly taking in all these strays and doing the TNR and arabies on them through a free program, I just have to do the work and they pay for the surgery. Take care man.
@@brianmcdrummer
That's Awesome!!! You're a good person! :) Hallelujah!
Well only He is good, :-) but thanks bro!@@brianmcdrummer
I just discovered this style cage and we have a lot of semi feral cats. We are required to bring them in traps to get fixed.. and I have one that I own and another that I borrowed but is essentially broken and doesn't close you have to do it manually. I like the idea of a rear door and my 50 dollar one doesn't have it.. . I can bring two cats in at a time so anyway...
Good advice. Haven't taken them out if the box yet.
Exactly what I was looking for. Haven't used it for many years and I forgot it had a rod. I've lent it out many times and now I need to use it, it's missing the rod and chain. I'll go make something to make it work. Thank You.
You're welcome!!! I've been told this isn't the way to use the cage but it has worked for me. Thanks for commenting!
How do you keep then from escaping from the front of the trap? Any modifications necessary?
NoLove4Hoes From my experience the front of the cage is secure.
NoLove4Hoes I just caught a cat but it got out through the front of the cage. Good thing it did this while it was still stationary and not moving while in transportation
This is just not good advise, I have tried it, you will have an animal trying to bite and scratch you while you unlatch. The simple more secure way of doing this is, hook the top of the swing door and the edge of the side of the cage, push the bar all the way in with "L' extension pointing up, all within the hook of the pin, then just latch it. This will secure the bar from being extracted and also it will allow removal away from the animal.
I use thick leather gloves when removing an animal that could scratch or bite me. I think I tried the way you suggested and a raccoon pushed his way through the door. If you have a video of this I'd love to see it! Thanks for commenting! :)
I did leave some detail out. Run the L bar through the second top row, unclip the chain from the bar. Hook the door, side AND the eye loop of the bar (that held the chain) and clamp them all. It won't come off and can be unlatched with one hand and no gloves.
Gotcha thanks for clarifying. :)