Lawn Care Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Stihl Trimmer Heads Wearing out

Jump to Latest
21 - 39 of 39 Posts
Discussion starter · #21 ·
Today I mentioned to him that WE needed to see if there was anything could be done to help save these heads. He seemed to understand and take it as the way it was intended to be. Later in the day we were on a place that required me to trim a little also. After a few minutes I found a sure fire way to cause the problem. Being that I am now running without the guards and was letting the line come way out I realized that one side was hrdly feeding and eventually stopped. I pulled the cap off and discovered that he has been winding the line very tight. This would cause him to constantly bump to feed the line. He will be with me again on Wed, We will have spooling 101 that morning.
 
#22 ·
Buying bump heads is eating so much into your profits that it is actually a problem! If that is the case, you have bigger problems than the life span of a couple of trimmer parts.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#23 ·
Never wore out a bump head, but the furniture polish idea sounded good. Didn't have any furniture polish, so I used Break-Free. Little squirt on a paper towel. Wipe down head, spool & cap, wipe entire length of string. Never had the line feed so nice as it does now. Keeps a lot of the guacamole from sticking to the head as well.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#24 ·
Been running FS75 for years... "knock on wood"...but NEVER wore out a trimmer head. When we can...we trim AGAINST the concrete, meaning we don't run the feed mechanism (bumper feed) over the concrete...we find this is smoother, faster, and an overall cleaner cut. Not to mention easier on the polymer plastic...

I love the FS75 trimmers...one of, if not the best all-around trimmer EVER made in my opinion - EXTREMELY RELIABLE - but of course, as with all GREAT EQUIPMENT...they don't make it anymore. I wish I would have bought more when I had the chance. We mostly run Stihl equipment with a piece or two of Shindaiwa.

Now, FS75 aside...Stihl carbs (think chainsaws) can be a NOTORIOUS "insert favorite cuss word here"...and easily flooded if you miss that first kick while not paying attention and keep pulling. But, if you have been at this a while...well, you already knew that!!!

Speaking of trimmers...what are ya'll using for .095 line?
- Oregon Square Magnum, or something later and greater?
- I know what I like to advise...and some people think I am nuts for saying it...but my ALL-TIME favorite is good-ole Round-Up around the fence lines. I know, I know...I can already hear the cries..."Off with his head!!! Off with his head!!!" But I am oh so serious...QuikPro, whatever...is simply magical on the fence lines if you can get your customers to bite. Two seasons of this and the lines are beautiful after the initial, unsightly die-off. I almost always mention it as an alternative.

Talk to you all later.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#26 ·
11 years ive been whipping around 100 accounts per week , entire time til last year when i started putting shindiawa speed feed heads on my redmax whips ide ran redmax or way back john deer whips with their stock heads featuring small string pay out buttons . and with those small buttons it can be a real hassle sometimes to get string to pay out . and spraying string / inner spool with furniture polish imo makes the string slide out of head easier , many times saving one from having to repeatedly tap the whip head on ground to get string feeding out . but nowadays i run speed feed heads on my rmax whips and wiyth the full head button the string always pays out easy so i no longer use polish
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#30 ·
I've worn out the brass grommets the line feeds thru, but never the plastic parts of a Stihl bump feed head. I run it myself. I always bump it in the grass. Nooo, it don't leave "unsightly cuts" in the lawn. I simply throtttle down to bump, raise the head up out of the grass, then throttle up to feed the line.
If I've let the line get too short to feed, I have to grab both strings and pull them out by hand a click or two.
A Stihl bump feed head should last the life of the machine.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#31 ·
if by a utility pole or landscape timber can bump head on that without wearing it down . i once bumped a head on the back of a snapping turtle while doing a lake side lot :waving:
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#32 ·
Super glue large washers on your trimmer spool. Problem solved. I'm a genious.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#33 ·
2 things... Make sure the line doesn't get twisted as it's being fed onto the spool. This causes it not to feed eventually, and for some reason some brainiac employees think that that means to bump it harder or slam it on the ground to release. Another thing...you mentioned that bumping oin the grass scalps the grass. Actually, it doesn't when done properly. The head does NOT have to be turning at high rpms. Lower the throttle so the head is barely turning (it can get to be habit). the line will feed out a notch, and when you give it the gas again, it will feed out tighter. Bumping the heads on pavement was always grounds for dismissal after the first warning, here.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#36 ·
Like the other guy said if you are reving it high and bumping the head on the ground to get line out something is wrong. A light tap is all that should be needed. BTW Your concrete should be fine.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#37 ·
Runner said:
Bumping the heads on pavement was always grounds for dismissal after the first warning, here.
Click to expand...
I had a new guy who assured me that he knew how to trim. I looked over and he was rubbing the head of the trimmer on the sidewalk for a guide. By the time I got to him he'd worn thru the bump head.

I dunno about bumping the head on trees, walls, landscaping features. I feel stupid enough using the trimmer to sweep off the walk. I always get the feeling someone's watching and thinking "What the #$&%! is he doing? Trimming the concrete?"
Besides hitting stuff could eventually leave a mark. The grass will grow back.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#38 ·
dtelawn said:
The last couple of months I have been through 6 inserts and 2 caps on my Stihl trimmers. I have approx 105 service visits a month. 70 of them are commercial and they are edging and trimming a lot of concrete. I know that wears them faster, but I am spending way too much on these parts.

I am very happy with the performance of Stihl, but buying the parts is starting to eat profit fast. Any one else have this issue?
Click to expand...
I’m not anywhere near concrete , only grass . I’ve had my Trimmer for about 4 years and keep having to replace the head every few months which costs $42.00 every time those little brass screws wear out.
sharon.
 
#39 ·
Sharon O’Brien. said:
I’m not anywhere near concrete , only grass . I’ve had my Trimmer for about 4 years and keep having to replace the head every few months which costs $42.00 every time those little brass screws wear out.
sharon.
Click to expand...
which model trimmer ? as im not familiar with little brass screws
 
  • Like
Reactions: rlitman
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
21 - 39 of 39 Posts
About this Discussion
38 Replies
20 Participants
Last post:
redmax fan
Lawn Care Forum
posts
7.2M
members
230K
Since
1999
A forum community dedicated to lawn care and landscaping professionals and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Lawn Mowing Pesticide & Herbicide Application 🔧 Mechanic and Repair Business Operations Lawn Mowing Equipment