Idiot proof trimmer head

[jeffyr]

My neighbor asked me how to wind the line on his Weed Eater brand trimmer since he didn't know how. I opened the head, and on the spool there was a disc in the center that ran around the spool where the line is threaded. It's a partition for the line so it can't cross over itself in the head no matter how poorly it is wound. The center of the line gets hooked on a groove in the divider, and the spool is wound with 1 part of the string on the top and 1 part on the bottom of the divider. I haven't seen anything like this before--neat idea. I have an echo and a red max and neither have this idiot proof feature ( I wish they did so the summer help could wind line that wouldn't jam up). I was thinking about making a divider to try it out.

Has anyone seen this before ?

[bubble boy]

i've got a stihl head like that.

[jeffyr]

That's a cool little feature.

[SLS]

The Homelites are divided like that too...except instead of the groove in the divider they have a hole in each string 'compartment' to start the string in (2 pieces of string instead of 1).

You are right about the 'idiot-proof' design. Takes less than a minute to disassemble, re-load, and reassemble once you do it a couple of times.

I've used a Homelite for 2 seasons now and it NEVER has feeding or 'fusing' problems...just replace the 'tap' button every once in a while....it also still starts on the first tug and runs perfectly.

I hope the RedMax I'm getting ready to purchase will do as well.

If not I'll still have the 'ol Homey to fall back on. ;)

[jeffyr]

SLS,

I bought the Red Max first and then the Echo. Both are light duty commercials--I got the Echo cheap as a refurb from Home Cheapo as a backup. Turns out the Red Max is the backup now. I am 6'3" and the longer shaft on the Echo is more comfortable.

jeffyr

[lawnboy82]

i think that is a good idea, however for it to work we need to get rid of all the idiot trimmer operators. i got a guy workin with me now. one time i took him with me to cut grass. usually i have another guy go. we cut 3 lawns that day. guy trimmed around everything 2 times, all the gardens, trees, driveway, i mean everything. i was using a 60" great dane stander, and i got finished before he did on a property that was probably an acre and a half or so of cutting. then to top it all off, when i started chasing him with the machine when i finished, he didnt even know that you tap the head to make the line come out, so he was trimming with a small stub on either side of the head. what a moron. socka la makina!

[jnjnlc]

I found a head at Lowes that I use. It has the divider in it to seperate the line. It works great for 15 bucks. I buy a new one every once and a while to replace the bump part.

[cp]

Hell I'm still trying to figure out if you wrap the string in the direction of C or CC??????:p

[jnjnlc]

I just remembered the name of the head. It is made by Suffix. Sold at Lowes and John Deere Landscapes. It has several different thread sizes for different trimmers. Since I have been using them I have not had trouble with the line hanging up.

Matter of fact I just bought a new Husquavarna trimmer that came with a bump head. I used it one time and took it off and put my Suffix head on. I use .105 string. No problems. As far as winding it I just place that bump button against my stomach and tread them line from right to left through the holes. Works every time.

[jack carson]

I;m trying to find out if those weed eater disc wheels I saw a trade show are any good. Have you ever tryed one:?

[ChadsLawn]

My stihl trimmer has that type of head also.. On my Shindawia, it has a arrow showing which way to wind the string. The shin is not idiot proof, but someone with common sense can figure it out.

[lawnboy dan]

the husky new style head has the divider too. you can string it with 2 peices like a sthil or use i long peice. it a breeze to reload and very light weight

[ed2hess]

So we need a simpler trimmer head ....maybe those kind that you take a little short piece of cord and push it in the eyelet might be simple enough:hammerhead:

[green horizons]

All my husqvarna have this type of head. It's by far the easiest to string.

[DavidS1964]

I have one of those weed eater disc. I think it works quite well. You can even use your weed eater without eye protection. Of cource I didn't say that: I was only thinking that.

[curtport]

I have a Kawasaki KBL26A and I have a CC and a C, I can not find the manual and dont rember how to wind it with string, lost the manual and where I bought is out of bussiness. ANY HELP WOULD BE NICE.

[ChadsLawn]

I have a Kawasaki KBL26A and I have a CC and a C, I can not find the manual and dont rember how to wind it with string, lost the manual and where I bought is out of bussiness. ANY HELP WOULD BE NICE.


Heres a easy way.. Load it with a small amount of string 1 way.. If it doesnt work, load it the other way.. but I would bet you load it CC.. Mine has CC and C on it as well.. Mine is loaded CC..

[smcunningham]

shindy speed feed=idiot proof

[LCPullman]

The Echomatic Pro head has a divided spool.

[Turfdude]

Our redmax strato charge 24<< or 25?? models come w/ those heads and I think an arrow indicating which way to wind the line. I'm not 100% sure as I personally use them very rarely anymore, but from my recollection that is the deal-e-o!

[daveyo]

"All my husqvarna have this type of head. It's by far the easiest to string."

I get mine from lowes $25 there the best I've ever used, does anyone know where to get them cheaper?

[DJL50]

An advantaged of using cheap equipment. I purchased a Homelite for $79 and thought if it runs for the two years it's under warranty I'll be happy. Dam thing has been running for 6 years now. Starts on the first pull. Wish my name brand $269 unit did that.

[fiveoboy01]

My stihl has that spool as well. I know it came with the trimmer.

I keep 5 spools in the toolbox, pre-wound so I don't have to deal with winding when I'm out working.

[ltw77]

Talking about an idiot proof trimmer head. I use a craftsman residential grade and it has a head with 2 different grooves cut in it. One holds a thinner line the other holds a thicker line. You do have to thread a new piece of line when it wears down, but I just pre-cut the lengths so it takes about 15 seconds if that. No bump feeding, no jamming. I suppose if I was trimming for hours @ a time that would get old but the biggest property I do takes maybe 3 lines to get done. Works for me so I like it!

[Hard Worker]

shindy speed feed=idiot proof

I bought those for all my trimmers!

[lawncuttinfoo]

So for these do you have to wind the line twice, basically doubling the load time?!?

I just bought the srm 251e and it has the ECHOmatic Pro head and it takes me forever to load this thing compared to my 5 yr old srm 210 small button head.

What am i doing wrong?

[LCPullman]

So for these do you have to wind the line twice, basically doubling the load time?!?

I just bought the srm 251e and it has the ECHOmatic Pro head and it takes me forever to load this thing compared to my 5 yr old srm 210 small button head.

What am i doing wrong?


You load both sides of the spool at the same time. Take one length of string, stick the two ends into the spool and wind it together until you reach the center of the length of string, and then cut the string at the center, and install the spool into the head. It takes us about a minute to do that. I think the head accepts about 20 to 25ft of .095" string.

[lawncuttinfoo]

How do you stick the two ends into the spool? I have only loaded it once and the two holes that it looks like you load into have flared too large to hold line.

[saw man]

Maybe you just need smarter help! Those heads are not as good as you think.

[naturescape]

The Echomatic Pro head has a divided spool.

And it works well! Email Echo and ask for the part number for it.

[cgaengineer]

Stihl has this feature and I couldnt think of any reason why any other company wouldnt have it.

[STRINGALATION]

i have a 4 cycle craftsman with the speed head i do not like bumping or winding my others have gator speed loader. i buy spools and cut 18" strips works for me it can get old when edging but i use .155 so i have never changed it trimming just edging. i should probably learn to wind and bump better but i will wait until i get commercial tools

[S.I.]

We use Gator brand heads.......they are universal so it is hard to find a trimmer they don't fit............Last one I bought (around $30 I think) has a metal bump so it doesn't wear out.............it has the partition as well-cut 30' of line feed half through eyes wrap in direction appropriate for your trimmer (has markings on spool to indicate left or right hand thread)...yes I did say it holds 30 feet of line........to top it all of my 8 year old daughter can pop these apart reload and reassemble in about 5 min....It takes me about 2.....so they are pretty simple to use

[S.I.]

I have a Kawasaki KBL26A and I have a CC and a C, I can not find the manual and dont rember how to wind it with string, lost the manual and where I bought is out of bussiness. ANY HELP WOULD BE NICE.

c=clockwise
cc=counter clockwise

This refers to the rotation on the head when operating the trimmer:dizzy:




The heads that recieve only a short line and need to be replaced when they wear short are fine if you only have small areas to trim, or too low IQ to wind a spool (good for homeowners and morons) but think of cost on these things...............When you use a spool there may be 8-10 inches per 30' of line that is discarded ........These other things there is 5-8" out of every foot and a half...........you are throwing away half of your trimmer line!!!:hammerhead: .........To top it off every time your line gets short the trimmer shuts off wait for head to stop spinning, old line removed, new line is loaded then start trimmer again.......If all goes well 1-2 min do this multiple times a day ~wasting time~ .........Spooled head=one loaded on trimmer-one loaded in tool box.........line gets short tap head=.5 seconds...........spool goes empty grap pre loaded spool from tool box pop it in total time 2-5 min (depending on type of head/intelligence of operator):cool2: do the math-cut cost make more$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[cathy]

How do you post on this?
The string broke so I just pulled out
piece from spool but its curled up
so I am straightening it?
Is that what you are supposed to do??

Cathy
New Orleans

[KTO Enterprises]

C=Clockwise.
CC=Counter Clockwise

[Sweet Tater]

Hell I'm still trying to figure out if you wrap the string in the direction of C or CC??????:p

Counter clock wise if it is leap year and the moon is in faze with saturn, other wise go the other way. :laugh:

[STRINGALATION]

........These other things there is 5-8" out of every foot and a half...........you are throwing away half of your trimmer line!!!:hammerhead: .........
i can agree with that. i'm no moron just somethings stump me. like in a yard where do you bump, if you say ground doesn't that cut the grass once it comes out:confused: :confused:

[sweetz]

You bump the thing lightly on anything hard like stepping stones, a fence, planter edging, or if you have to bump it on the ground where there is grass you slow the speed of the thing way down - bump it on the grass, lift it up off the grass and speed it up, the string then extends. No damage to the grass or anything else.:usflag:

[Planet Landscaping]

Shidiawa pro.