Who's in love with their string trimmer HEAD?

I read the entire thread "Who's in love with their string trimmer?" and there was minimal mention of the head itself.

Of the various trimmers we've had over the years, both electric and gas, the trimmer head always seems to be the biggest PITA.

The "Bump and Feed" style never semed to work efficiently and were a pain to reload. The pre-cut snap-in cords were also a bit of a pain. We currently buy the spools and cut our own for the replacement head on our gas trimmer, but loading them doesn't seem as easy as it should be.

The reason I ask is that my 16 YO daughter is taking over her brother's lawn mowing clients and will need to use the trimmer on a regular basis. My son always hated fighting with the trimmer head and I know my daughter will too.

Since I won't always be around to help her, I'd like to get her a trimmer head (preferably Bump and Feed) that actually works.

Any ideas?

Reply to
DerbyDad03
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I have had several string trimmers over the years since they were first introduced and must admit they held the biggest promise and worst delivery of any power tool I have ever seen. I have yet to find one that would feed the string properly or didn't break off the string inside the head every 5 minutes. There can't possibly be a more annoying tool on the market. I can't make a recommendation because I have yet to find one that works with any dependability.

What I have considered and using instead of the nylon string is replacing the string with a short length of stranded metal cable. I have seen some plastic replacements for the string advertised but don't feel they would endure any sustained use. Stranded cable would not break and could easily be replaced. A small crimped clamp could be placed over the end inside the head to retain it in place. Replacement would take a lot less time than trying to get the ends of the string untangled when it breaks inside the head and you wouldn't have to replace more than a couple of times per season.

Reply to
BobR

I like the bump heads on the stihl. They actually use a seperator between the two lines as opposed to having them intertwined with one another. Having any of the heads work properly is as simple as proper loading. Take the time to do it in an orderly fashion, and they'll feed properly until they're empty.

steve

Reply to
S. Barker

Forgot to mention. I have worked at a lawn and landscape company for 13 years and we've always used one size bigger string than what the trimmer called for. The Stihl's we use come with .095 and we always use the .105 string in them. As for breaking off inside the head, well that's from improper loading and/or getting the string caught on something. Chain link fences are hell on string, keep that in mind. Our guys will use a string trimmer perhaps 4 to 5 hours a day and only go through about three quarters to one full load of string in the spool. Each stihl spool holds about 12 feet of string on each side of the divider. We also use the 5 sided twisty line when we can get it.

steve

Reply to
S. Barker

I can't say I love it. I have not even noticed it since I got it. I guess that is the best kind.

A few years ago I bought a set of B&W battery powered garden tools. That string trimmer is still going strong and it still has the original load. It is some sort of auto feed, so I don't need to do anything. From time to time I notice that is seems to be a little short and just as I am thinking that I hear it change as new line come out.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

I have had the best luck with the bump head units but the problem of break off inside the head has been constant frustration. I have tried loading as carefully as possible with no overlapping but still have the break off problem. Not using around any wire fence but do use for edging which is where it most frequently breaks. The only reason I can think of is getting wedged between concrete and dirt during use. I will try the larger string option and see if it helps. (Sure as heck can't hurt.)

Reply to
BobR

I second S.Barker's recommendation of the Stihl head and the larger than recommended line. Preferably the line with ridges molded in. Also with the Stihl, you don't have to unscrew anything to get it apart. There are tabs that press in and it pops apart. Reload the cartridge, feed the loose ends into the holes, and press it together.

With my old Ryobi, I had to load all the line, hold one end with one hand, hold the other end with my second hand, hold the trimmer with my third hand, hold the cartridge in place with my fourth hand, and screw on the retainer (reverse thread, of course) with my fifth hand.

Reply to
The Reverend Natural Light

greenthumb518 had written this in response to

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I am actually > I read the entire thread "Who's in love with their string

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greenthumb518

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