New(ish) Speed Feed 500 holds 40' .095

FLC2000

· #2 · 5 d ago

40 feet? Im not sure Im buying that.

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Ridin' Green

· #3 · 5 d ago

I'm going to have to look into one for my FS250

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roody2333

Discussion Starter · #4 · 5 d ago

FLC2000 said:
40 feet? Im not sure Im buying that.

yea I find with the 450 claiming 20 ft or is it 25 of .095 and 20 of .105 but anyway I load about 17 feet based on arm span rough estimate, it depends on what line , if it's smooth round line it'll load the max it claims and not really jam but with triangle-cross-section line I like it'll load what it says but be more likely to jam. I heard here soaking your line in a bucket of water also makes it more pliable for loading/unloading but I don't really need to do that.

I'm not sure but when I wind up new string into it, I find it less likely to overlap inside if I tap in on the bump while twisting it, rather than just twisting it, but somehow it seems to overlap itself sometimes and cause a break off, I've tried putting my foot over the slack to make it taught while winding too but that didn't seem to help but overall I'll take this head over any other it's still the fastest for me, I tried the other I think Oregon makes a speed feed.

Somehow it's like the same size as the 450 too, only a couple videos on the 500 but I Don't like how they enclosed the eylets now, because w the 450 if it breaks I just open the cap and unwind one turn of string then put through the eyelet, not I have to fish it out through the eyelet hole.

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JLH52

· #5 · 5 d ago

I like the specs and improvements of the Speedfeed 500 over my current 400. I might consider purchasing the upgrade.

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Derwood

· #6 · 3 d ago

roody2333 said:
Speed-Feed® 500 | ECHO-USA.com

Tackle the toughest jobs with ECHO’s best-in-class, commercial-grade outdoor power equipment. Check out our Speed-Feed® 500 here.

www.echo-usa.com

this came out last fall, holds basically double the 450, suggested only for larger than 25cc, been using a 35cc Honda 4-cycle with 450 speed feed which is really good, about once per every refill-and-a-half I get a jam where somehow it wound over itself and I pop the cap off with a key and resolve it in 10 seconds. I don't get many flush breakoffs when edging sidewalks etc with the 450 and .095 or .105 rhino-tuff pro yellow line from home depot is actually my fav I've tried all the fancier ones etc they seem to break off more often.

I’m only getting about 2 years out of my 450’s so when one of them fails (soon I’m sure) I’ll give the 500 a try.

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JLH52

· #7 · 3 d ago

Derwood said:
I’m only getting about 2 years out of my 450’s so when one of them fails (soon I’m sure) I’ll give the 500 a try.

Why are you only getting 2 years out of the 450's, what wears out?

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roody2333

Discussion Starter · #8 · 3 d ago

Nothing ever broke on mine either and I get a long long time even from each replaceable bump cover, but I bump on grass not pavement. I used a ryobi reel easy with their 30cc 4-cycle head for years and had to replace the bump knob every few weeks. That 4 cycle ryobi sucks though it doesn't have the patented oil slinger like honda allows it as a 4-cycle engine to be used in any position like edging, and not burn oil like the ryobi did.

I wouldn't 'bullet proof' it by drilling and installing a bolt for it to tap on a metal bolt instead of the plastic cover like that video guy does, I barely ever bump on pavement but that could leave a mark plus it greatly reduces surface area for bumping on grass seems it'll leave a divot or not feed out easily, I bump a couple times on grass but in a slightly different spot each time so it doesn't scalp.
I find I excessively bump though I'm addicted to hearing the full length of string being out slapping against the guard cover, yes I need the guard cover otherwise I'd love to run no guard and get a longer swath. But I find I've been bumping more than I should thinking the line got short but really it's only about 3/4" from max/the blade on the guard, trimmers work best with long line vs like 4" which also tends to break off flush more easily.

The $10 clone speed feeds on Ebay from China though IDK how they messed that up because it seems to be 1:1 identical clones but I got way more jams and break-offs with them so I only use genuine now including the bump cover.
Only modification I do is slightly file down the thick side of the tabs of the bump cover making it easier to take off yet I still poke it open with my truck key, and the spring inside I compress so it clamps itself better to the bump head because I usually drop that to the ground once it's open to fix a jam and the spring stays put.

I'ma order the 500 tonight, got some online shopping to do, will let you know if it's terrible or anything. Again though will be using it on a big 35cc Honda 4 cycle. My 25cc honda engine in the 4 cycle Husqvarna I still gotta adjust the valves on it , bought that one used and didn't give a problem for many years only changed the oil, but the 35cc still runs like new also, very very well-built engines.

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Dawson

· #9 · 3 d ago

I'm going to try one on my echo 2620 trimmer. They are 25.4 cc so just barely above the recommended power but I have never lacked for power on it with a loaded 450 speedfeed and I run the string much longer than most (no guard) typically 10 to 12 inch's per side. so if it'll run well and cut down on walks back to the truck to restring it'll be a win in my book.

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JLH52

· #10 · 3 d ago

roody2333 said:
Nothing ever broke on mine either and I get a long long time even from each replaceable bump cover, but I bump on grass not pavement. I used a ryobi reel easy with their 30cc 4-cycle head for years and had to replace the bump knob every few weeks. That 4 cycle ryobi sucks though it doesn't have the patented oil slinger like honda allows it as a 4-cycle engine to be used in any position like edging, and not burn oil like the ryobi did.

I wouldn't 'bullet proof' it by drilling and installing a bolt for it to tap on a metal bolt instead of the plastic cover like that video guy does, I barely ever bump on pavement but that could leave a mark plus it greatly reduces surface area for bumping on grass seems it'll leave a divot or not feed out easily, I bump a couple times on grass but in a slightly different spot each time so it doesn't scalp.
I find I excessively bump though I'm addicted to hearing the full length of string being out slapping against the guard cover, yes I need the guard cover otherwise I'd love to run no guard and get a longer swath. But I find I've been bumping more than I should thinking the line got short but really it's only about 3/4" from max/the blade on the guard, trimmers work best with long line vs like 4" which also tends to break off flush more easily.

The $10 clone speed feeds on Ebay from China though IDK how they messed that up because it seems to be 1:1 identical clones but I got way more jams and break-offs with them so I only use genuine now including the bump cover.
Only modification I do is slightly file down the thick side of the tabs of the bump cover making it easier to take off yet I still poke it open with my truck key, and the spring inside I compress so it clamps itself better to the bump head because I usually drop that to the ground once it's open to fix a jam and the spring stays put.

I'ma order the 500 tonight, got some online shopping to do, will let you know if it's terrible or anything. Again though will be using it on a big 35cc Honda 4 cycle. My 25cc honda engine in the 4 cycle Husqvarna I still gotta adjust the valves on it , bought that one used and didn't give a problem for many years only changed the oil, but the 35cc still runs like new also, very very well-built engines.

I'm especially interested in the physical size of the 500 compared to the OEM 400. Evidently it would have to be larger to hold 40’ of .095 instead of 20’.

Where are you going to order from? I saw several places, prices are similar, shipping charges vary.

I saw this at Ebay with free shipping.

Sign in or Register | eBay

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Dawson

· #11 · 3 d ago

JLH52 said:
I'm especially interested in the physical size of the 500 compared to the OEM 400. Evidently it would have to be larger to hold 40’ of .095 instead of 20’.

Where are you going to order from? I saw several places, prices are similar, shipping charges vary.

I saw this at Ebay with free shipping.

Sign in or Register | eBay

I ordered from amazon, free shipping but mainly because it will be here tuesday.

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JLH52

· #12 · 3 d ago

After finding and reading this document, it states that the Speedfeed 500 holds 40’ of round line and only 27’ of Black Diamond. See link below.

https://www.echo-usa.com/getattachment/fd6c402a-73d6-4753-bc61-7bd1ff1f71bf/filev2_

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Mattster

· #13 · 3 d ago

JLH52 said:
After finding and reading this document, it states that the Speedfeed 500 holds 40’ of round line and only 27’ of Black Diamond. See link below.

https://www.echo-usa.com/getattachment/fd6c402a-73d6-4753-bc61-7bd1ff1f71bf/filev2_

Thank you.

saved me $40.

round line blows.

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Derwood

· #14 · 2 d ago

JLH52 said:
Why are you only getting 2 years out of the 450's, what wears out?

bump button gets worn out/off and it stops letting line out. Thought I read once one can replace that part but I just do the whole thing.

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roody2333

Discussion Starter · #15 · 2 d ago

Derwood said:
bump button gets worn out/off and it stops letting line out. Thought I read once one can replace that part but I just do the whole thing.

there's a right and wrong way to load the inner spool into the housing, I never really have to pull the whole thing out but I etched OUT on the side that faces the lawn, otherwise it'll spin the line out without bumping or jam etc. But my current one is so worn there's a hole but it still bumps fine but I always bump on grass maybe gives more grab and surface area than pavement.

you can buy just the bump portion also, and even that I won't bother with the chinese clones, not worth the possible hassle to save $8 each even if you need several.

JLH52 said:
After finding and reading this document, it states that the Speedfeed 500 holds 40’ of round line and only 27’ of Black Diamond. See link below.

https://www.echo-usa.com/getattachment/fd6c402a-73d6-4753-bc61-7bd1ff1f71bf/filev2_

thanks, not ordering either, barely if at all holds more diamond/triangle than a 400 which has open the eyelets for easier fixes.

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Dawson

· #16 · 19 h ago

7

I got my 500 today and compared it to the 450 speedfeeds I have always used.

The 500 is actually almost exactly the same size as the 450's I have and surprisingly a little lighter as well.

I was able to get 10 feet more of the line I use on it than I can on my 450's, So that bumps me up from 30 feet on the 450 to 40 feet on the 500, which is enough to justify switching for me, especially when you factor in that the 500 loaded with 40 feet of line still weighs less than my 450 loaded with 30 feet of line and is the same physical dimensions.

The only thing I don't like about it is the aluminum eyelets don't look as beefy as the ones on 450 heads and don't appear to be replaceable? But if it lasts at least two years before they wear out I would still get another 500 for the extra line capacity with no other downside. Assuming it is as dependable and trouble free as 450 heads have been for me.

Here's some pics for weights and size comparison.

new 500 compared to new 450, nothing appears to be interchangeable but physical dimensions are nearly identical.

this is the line I use, how much fits will depend on the size and style of line you use

The guts

500 loaded with 40 feet of line

500 empty

450 loaded with 30 feet of line

an empty 450

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JLH52

· #17 · 17 h ago

Dawson said:
I got my 500 today and compared it to the 450 speedfeeds I have always used.

The 500 is actually almost exactly the same size as the 450's I have and surprisingly a little lighter as well.

I was able to get 10 feet more of the line I use on it than I can on my 450's, So that bumps me up from 30 feet on the 450 to 40 feet on the 500, which is enough to justify switching for me, especially when you factor in that the 500 loaded with 40 feet of line still weighs less than my 450 loaded with 30 feet of line and is the same physical dimensions.

The only thing I don't like about it is the aluminum eyelets don't look as beefy as the ones on 450 heads and don't appear to be replaceable? But if it lasts at least two years before they wear out I would still get another 500 for the extra line capacity with no other downside. Assuming it is as dependable and trouble free as 450 heads have been for me.

Here's some pics for weights and size comparison.

new 500 compared to new 450, nothing appears to be interchangeable but physical dimensions are nearly identical.
View attachment 544829

this is the line I use, how much fits will depend on the size and style of line you use
View attachment 544827

The guts
View attachment 544828

500 loaded with 40 feet of line
View attachment 544826

500 empty
View attachment 544824

450 loaded with 30 feet of line
View attachment 544825

an empty 450
View attachment 544823

Do you know the specs on the 400 compared to the 450? Are they the same in physical size and line capacity. Line capacity depends on type of line, which can be misleading if not clearly stated.

Also, I assume the razor line is round for you to get 40’ installed on the 500. The 500 technical data states 40’ of round line and only 27’ of black diamond.

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Dawson

· #18 · 17 h ago

JLH52 said:
Do you know the specs on the 400 compared to the 450? Are they the same in physical size and line capacity. Line capacity depends on type of line, which can be misleading if not clearly stated.

Also, I assume the razor line is round for you to get 40’ installed on the 500. The 500 technical data states 40’ of round line and only 27’ of black diamond.

I bought a trimmer one time that came with a 400 size speed feed on it, it was noticeably smaller than the 450 and held so little line that it wasn't practical for my use so I replaced it with a 450 pretty quick.

I did mention that the type of string that you're using is going to impact how much it can fit overall but regardless I was able to fit 25% more of the line that I use which will get me an extra three or four days of use between restrings.

The line I use is more or less round, it has kind of a spiraling hexagon shape to it. I tried some of the square shape stuff a few times over the years and found that even though it wore down a little slower it reduced how much I could put on the spool so much that it didn't really last any longer on the same spool. Plus I run no guard and have my string out fairly long so a lighter weight more aerodynamic line is a benefit for the way I use string trimmers.

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