Homelite Trimmer Problems

[Mitchell]

I have a Homelite 2 string straight shaft trimmer that I have been using for some commercial accounts and the string continues to dig into the string on the head. Sometimes it wont spool out when I bump the head. I have to stop and push the head in and manually pull the lines out. Sometimes one line will go back into the head and I have to dig it out between the wrapped line. I have cleaned the head and even bought a new one , but the problems continues. I am using .80 Echo line. Does anyone have a cure? Thanks

[Charles]

Throw it away and buy a real commercial grade weedeater. Or that is just the beginning of your problems

[bob]

Mitchell, Welcome to the forum:) . Put your trimmer behind your rear tire, then back up. Just kidding! I agree with Charles, get a commercial trimmer. I like Shindaiwa's. Do a search on this topic. I know we have all boasted about what trimmers we prefer!

[sage]

I agree. You definitely need to get a commercial trimmer. I like Kawasaki.

[Mitchell]

Guys, I know I need a commercial trimmer, but this is not helping me with the problem that I have at hand. Does anyone own a Homelite that has had these problems? Any advice (Not go buy a commercial trimmer) would be appreciated>

[Doc]

Hi Mitchell,

Sorry you are having trouble with your trimmer. I have 1 cent worth to add. I take it that you are loading string properly. I spray the loaded string with WD-40 or Silicone. It works for me I hope for you too.

Doc Scrub

[Edited by Doc on 09-23-2000 at 10:32 PM]

[Eric ELM]

Check to see if you have it wound backwards, that will cause problems, big time.

[John DiMartino]

You do not need a commercial trimmer,I use homelites commercailly going on 14 yrs,they are tough enough to do the job for a couple of yrs,besides Mitchell is doing residentail work,so why should he spend 3-400 on a trimmer?I open up the holes inmy trimmers head to accept comrcial .105 string,Ive had no problems since then.Make sure the spring is under the spool or it wont advance either.The WD40 does help too,it also keeps it cleaner inside.I have 3 of these now at my golf course,they are great to give to summer help(kids) who will wrap the shaft around a tree anyway or let it fall out of the work cart at 18mph.

[Evan528]

jon, you should be ashamed of yourself using a homelite trimmer and advising others to do so...lol! have you tried a qualty trimmer like a redmax? if so how can you ever go back to using a residential timmmer again?

[Charles]

John the man said "commercial accounts" Homelite is a step down from Crapsman. I advised him to junk it because he could go out and buy a echo 2100 for around 200$. This is a minimum commercial. But great for the little work he has. Homelite is even too much of a headache for a homeowner.

[Ocutter]

Ive been using Homelites for 6 yrs. Cant see spending 300 bucks on something that Lites can do. Plus if something major goes wrong, I take it back to Home Depot and get a new one. Simple. To answer your question, I take off the string guard to allow more string to advance. Also the bump feed knob gets worn down, that also will hold back string. I use the WD40 method too.

[John DiMartino]

I use a new Kawasaki KBL26 for my own accounts,but at the golf course we have had no trouble with the homelites,they are also more powerful than the echo.You can but them for 69 bucks or 100 with straight shaft.MY summer help ruins them any way so why buy a 400 dollar trimmer for there.i have one from 1984 still,runs great and gets about 4-8 hrs use a week since new,how can you beat that-it was 69 bucks at agway new.

[MOW ED]

It sounds like mayby you have too much line in there. I measure out about 16 feet of line and divide it and wind it firm but not too tight. Do you have the split spool or a single line spool?

I would suggest using the split spool as I have had less problems with this. I have been using a Homelite trimmer for 4 years and can't see a reason to buy a commercial one. I would also suggest taking the screen out of the muffler unless you live somewhere where you might cause a brush fire. In that case - clean it reqularly. Good Luck.

[Mitchell]

Its the split spool. Ive tried wd40 and that doesnt work for me. Im going to try the 105 line when I run out of 80. Thanks for all replys!!!

[awm]

Try a single line . They all use to be that way.
It will affect the balance a little but can cut down own
string problems. Yes there is plenty of rpm to trim
with a single line.

[lawnboy21]

try using homelite string. this happened to me on my homelite also. thicker string makes it worse, try 60 or lower, if they have it.

[curlawngreen]

They start good.
They work like @#$%.
Throw it away and get a commercial grade.

[Charles]

"own accounts,but at the golf course we have had no trouble with the homelites,they are also more powerful than the echo."<----John
In your dreams<---Charles

[AB Lawn Care]

Charles- I agree with you!I own sthil and there is no way a homelite would be more powerful!I slap on a blade for brush clearing and cut down small trees with it!!!!!!

[ericksonbrad@hotmail.com]

when we started we had a homelite, i agree with the majority of others in that you should get a commercial grade. we also had problems with warm start. that has to do with design. anyway if you are determined to keep going with this trimmer i have a aftermarket head we put on ours and you can have it for free, this was also a problem we were having with ours but when we started to also have heat soak problems we shelved it. let me know i will ship for you. you can mail me actual shipping costs when you receive if you want.
(this is a quality replacement head. commercial grade)

[Mitchell]

Ive been using .95 line and I still have to pull the line out man. but not as often. Thanks any way , Im getting an Echo next season.

[geogunn]

mitchell--are you using a st-275 trimmer? if so it's a great trimmer. I run them all the time.

here's the answer to you'r problem:

1)--wind the line properly. follow the arrows.

2)--use "weed terminator" line, .080. available at home depot.

3)--make sure that your bump head knob is not worn out. pavement and concrete erode the edges and thickness of the knob and when you bump the head the line wont advance.

4)--MOST IMPORTANT! BUMP THE HEAD FREQUENTLY TO ADVANCE THE LINE ON A REGULAR BASIS! THIS WILL PREVENT THE LINE FROM BREAKING AT THE HEAD AND FROM WELDING TO THE LINE INSIDE THE HEAD. I know what I'm talking about on this one. do not try to get the most use you can out of a spool of line. you have to loose some to the head cutter from time to time to prevent problems.

good luck. do what I say and you will be wearing a happy face when you use that great homelite trimmer!;)

GEO