Well, maybe we can get some good info rolling here. Hopefully some others will pick up where i leave off.
The first thing you have to do is get those traps ready to go in the ground. You will need to adjust the pan so it sits flat, level with the jaws, and the pan tension. Start by leveling the pan. You will want to set the trap, and decide weather the pan needs moved up or down. Once you figure that part out trip the trap and with a pair of pliers bend the piece of metal that holds the dog a little at a time. Re set and check. If you need more just bend a little more until it is level. Once it is level try to trigger the trap to make sure there is plenty of travel. Also, duke pans have a problem with having oversized holes that the bolt goes through. This can cause the pan to slide in and out, if your traps do then you will want the pan pulled away from the dog as far as it can for this process, and when you set it in the field. If it is pushed toward the dog, you will get tons of pan travel, and poor catches if not misses.
Now that the pan is level its time to set the tension. If you plan on trying for fox as well as coyotes i would shoot for two pounds of pan tension. Get yourself something weighing two pounds, set the trap so the pan is level, and set the weight on the pan. You want the pan to just barely hold the weight. To adjust the pan tension tighten or loosen the nut on the bolt holding the pan in place. A little goes a long ways here so dont get crazy. Little turns at a time and check with the weight.
Now if you did everything right, when the trap is set the dog should barely be setting on the notch in the pan. It should not sit up higher than the jaws when looking from the side. It should barely hold two pounds of weight, but when it does go the pan should travel no more than a quorter to half inch before the trap fires. Nice crisp break on the trigger, kindof like a fine tuned rifle trigger. Pan travel is not your friend.
So your traps are tuned up, and you are happy. Now its time to clean them up. If you have a dish washer throw rhe traps in the dishwasher with the dish detergent you use for normal dishes. This will get off any grease on them. If no dishwasher like me, i fill the sink with hot watter and add a generous amount of dawn. The grease fighting stuff. Throw the traps in and let them soak. I like to stirr them around every ten min for about an hour. They should now be clean. Rinse with hot water, then in clean sink mix water and viniger. Probably about half a cup per gallon if i had to say. I just kindof guess. I like this water hot as well. Dip the traps in for about ten min then pull them out, set them on a towl and let them dry. Repeat this eight or ten times and you should see a light rust starting to form. Once the entire trap has a light coating of rust rince them well in clean hot water to get all the viniger off. If you want to die them now is the time, if not, which i do not dye my yote traps, then simply hang them outside and they are ready to go in the ground.
If you didnt understand any of that or just need more info just ask. If any of you other guys see i missed something please speak up.
Hopefully someone will step in here and start with some info on sets, lures, and setting the traps. If not i will type some more tomorrow, but i have had enough typing for tonight.
Come on guys, pitch in here, this could be a really great thread and help a lot of people out!