Reloading the line on your string trimmer, often called a weed eater, is a fundamental maintenance task that keeps your tool ready for yard work. The process varies depending on your trimmer’s head design, but the core principle is the same: remove the old line, select the correct replacement line, and wind or insert it properly. Before you begin, always ensure the trimmer is completely powered off and disconnected from its power source. Identifying whether you have a bump-feed, fixed-line, or auto-feed head is the critical first step to following the right procedure.
Safety First: Before You Start
Working with a string trimmer involves sharp, fast-moving components. Taking a few moments to secure the tool and protect yourself is essential.
- Power Down Completely: For gas trimmers, turn off the engine, let it cool, and disconnect the spark plug wire. For battery-powered models, remove the battery. For corded electric trimmers, unplug the power cord from both the trimmer and the wall outlet.
- Wear Protective Gear: Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris or a snapping line. Work gloves are recommended to protect your hands from the sharp ends of the trimmer line and any debris on the head.
- Work on a Stable Surface: Place the trimmer on a flat, clean workbench or the ground. Ensure the head is stable and won’t roll or slip while you’re working on it.
- Handle the Line with Care: Trimmer line can be stiff and sharp. Cut it cleanly to avoid frayed ends that are difficult to thread.
Identify Your Trimmer Head Type
The reloading method depends entirely on the design of your trimmer’s head. Most residential string trimmers use one of three common types.
Bump-Feed (Spool) Head
This is the most common type. It features a central knob or cap on the bottom. When you tap this knob on the ground during operation, it releases a small amount of line. Internally, it houses a spool that you manually wind with new line.
Fixed-Line Head
This head does not use a continuous spool. Instead, it uses individual, pre-cut lengths of line (usually two) that are inserted into slots or holes in the head. There is no winding involved; you simply replace the worn pieces.
Auto-Feed or Rapid-Load Head
These heads advance line automatically, often using centrifugal force, without needing to bump them. Some may have a spool you wind, while others, like “rapid-load” or “quick-load” systems, allow you to wind the line externally using a knob on the outside of the head, often without removing the spool.
To confirm your head type, look for markings on the head itself or consult your trimmer’s manual. The general procedure below covers the most common scenarios.
Choose the Right Trimmer Line
Using the wrong line can lead to poor performance, frequent breakage, or even damage to your trimmer’s motor or head.
- Diameter is Critical: The line diameter must match what your trimmer is designed to use. Common residential sizes include 0.065″, 0.080″, and 0.095″. Using a line that is too thick can bog down the motor and cause the head to jam. Using a line that is too thin will result in it breaking constantly.
- Check Your Trimmer: The correct diameter is usually printed on the trimmer head itself, listed in the owner’s manual, or available on the manufacturer’s website. Do not guess.
- Line Shape: Trimmer line comes in various shapes like round, twisted, or serrated. Round line is versatile and durable. Twisted or shaped lines may offer cleaner cuts in certain conditions but are not universally superior. Start with the round line specified for your model.
- Material: Most line is made from nylon. Some premium lines have coatings to reduce friction and wear, but standard nylon line is effective for most residential tasks.
Reloading a Bump-Feed (Spool) Head
This is the most frequent reloading task. Follow these steps carefully, paying attention to the winding direction.
- Remove the Spool Cap: Press the tabs or buttons on the side of the trimmer head (if present) and pull the bottom cap straight off. Some caps may unscrew.
- Remove the Empty Spool: Lift the spool out of the head housing. You may need to remove a small spring first; note its position.
- Clean the Head: Wipe away any grass clippings, dirt, or debris from inside the head housing and from the spool itself. Debris can cause the line to bind.
- Cut New Line: Cut a length of new line. A common guideline is 10 to 25 feet, but it’s best to check your spool’s capacity if known. Having a bit extra is better than too little.
- Find the Anchor Hole(s): Look for one or two small holes in the center hub of the spool. These are anchor points for the line. A single-line spool has one hole; a dual-line spool has two.
- Secure the Line End: Insert the end of the new line into an anchor hole. For a dual-line spool, cut the line in half and anchor each piece in a separate hole.
- Wind the Line: Begin winding the line onto the spool. Crucially, wind it in the direction of the arrow printed on the spool. Winding the wrong way will prevent the line from feeding properly. Keep the line taut and wind it evenly in neat rows to prevent tangles.
- Leave Tails: Stop winding when you have about 6 to 8 inches of line left. Secure the loose ends in the temporary holding slots or notches on the edge of the spool to keep them from unwinding.
- Reinstall the Spool: Place the spool back into the head housing, ensuring it sits flat and the spring (if removed) is correctly positioned.
- Thread the Line: Pull the tails of the line out of the holding slots and thread them through the metal eyelets on the trimmer head housing.
- Replace the Cap: Snap the cap back onto the head until it clicks securely into place.
- Release the Tails: Pull on the line tails to release them from the spool’s holding slots. They should now extend freely from the head.
Replacing Line on a Fixed-Line Head
This process is simpler as there is no spool to wind.
- Remove Old Line: Push or pull the worn pieces of line out from the head. They may be held by a simple friction lock or a screw.
- Measure and Cut New Line: Cut two new pieces of line to the length specified for your head. This is often between 8 and 12 inches per piece, but check your manual or the head markings.
- Insert New Line: Insert one end of each new line piece into its designated slot or hole in the head. Push them in until they are firmly seated and secure.
- Check Security: Give each line a gentle tug to ensure it is locked in place and will not fly out during use.
Reloading an Auto-Feed or Rapid-Load Head
These heads simplify the process, especially rapid-load systems.
- For Auto-Feed Heads with a Spool: The reloading process is very similar to a bump-feed head. The key difference is in how the line advances during use. Follow the spool removal, winding, and reassembly steps as described for bump-feed heads, ensuring you follow the winding direction arrow.
- For Rapid-Load or Quick-Load Heads: These are designed for convenience. Typically, you do not need to remove the spool. Instead, you feed the new line through the eyelets and into the head until it catches. Then, you use a winding knob on the outside of the head to crank the line onto the internal spool. The specific method varies by brand, so consulting your manual is advised for this head type.
Reassemble, Test, and Adjust
After reloading, a quick check ensures everything is correct before you start trimming.
- Visual Inspection: Confirm the head cap is fully secured. The spool should spin freely within the housing by hand. There should be no obvious wobble.
- Test the Feed (Bump-Feed): With the trimmer still powered off, gently tap the bump knob on the ground. You should see or feel the line advance slightly from the head.
- Power On and Test: Put on your safety gear, start the trimmer, and let it run for a few seconds. Listen for unusual vibrations or grinding noises, which could indicate an improperly seated spool or tangled line.
- Adjust Line Length: If the line is too long, you can trim it to length by running the trimmer and carefully cutting the excess against a branch or using scissors (with the trimmer off). If it’s too short, use the bump-feed mechanism or the winding knob to advance more line.
Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting
A few common issues can arise after reloading. Here’s how to diagnose and fix them.
- Line Won’t Feed When Bumped: This is often caused by winding the line in the wrong direction on the spool. Remove the spool and rewind it correctly, following the arrow. It can also be caused by line that is wound too tightly or tangled.
- Line Breaks Immediately: The line diameter may be incorrect for your trimmer. Ensure you are using the specified size. The line could also be old and brittle from sun exposure, or you may have cut it to a length that exceeds the spool’s capacity, causing it to jam.
- Head Jams or Is Hard to Spin: Debris buildup inside the head is a frequent culprit. Disassemble the head and clean out all compacted grass and dirt. Also, check that the line is wound evenly and not bunched up.
- Vibration During Use: Unevenly wound line on a spool can cause imbalance and vibration. Remove the spool and rewind the line neatly and evenly.
When to Replace the Entire Head
Reloading line is routine maintenance, but the head itself will eventually wear out. Consider replacing the entire trimmer head if you notice:
- Cracks or significant damage to the plastic housing.
- Stripped or worn eyelets where the line exits, causing excessive friction and breakage.
- A bump knob that is worn down and no longer activates the feed mechanism.
- A spool that no longer holds the line or is difficult to remove and reinstall.
- A broken internal spring that prevents the bump function from working.
Replacement heads are available, but you must ensure the new head is compatible with your trimmer’s shaft size and thread pattern. Consulting your trimmer’s manual or a knowledgeable dealer is the best way to find a direct replacement.
