How to put line on a lawn mower line

How to wind the line onto the trimmer spool

At first glance, threading a line into the reel of a tool is not an easy task. But it is enough to carefully study this process – and in the future all the necessary actions will be performed without any difficulties..

It is worth reading this guide to find out how to tuck the line into the trimmer. The step-by-step instructions below take into account the peculiarities of the spools of different types of trimmers, therefore, it is applicable to any tool.

So, the procedure is as follows..

  • The line spool is the bottom end of the trimmer. First of all, of course, you need to remove this head from the device. To do this, you need to fix the rod (or, in other words, the shaft) on which the coil is attached. It is required to fix it in such a way that it does not scroll. The easiest way to do this is by placing a kind of stupor (preferably metal) between the shaft threads through a special hole. When the shaft is fixed, the spool can be unscrewed.
  • At this stage, you have to remove the bobbin from the head, on which the fishing line is attached. To do this, you need to disassemble the head into elements. To do this, you first need to find a retainer on its body. It is located on the circumference of the product and is like a button. When the latch is found, you need to press it firmly. Keeping the latch pressed, turn the head cover clockwise. Then you need to remove the cover and remove the bobbin.
  • A tight spring is placed between the bobbin and the head. It needs to be put aside for a while so that it does not interfere with the winding process. Before proceeding with the step of winding the line, it is necessary to inspect the bobbin. If there are remnants of old fishing line on it, they must be removed. When the bobbin is cleaned, you can start preparing a new bobbin..
  • From a previously prepared skein of new fishing line, it is necessary to measure and cut off six (maximum – seven) meters. Keep the bobbin close at hand.

At this point, the key stage actually begins, which this article is devoted to..

How to choose the right line?

Nylon lines are suitable for both electric and gas powered trimmers. This consumable can be used for both hand tools and a wheeled lawnmower. It is important to choose the right line, as this directly affects both the result of the work and the service life of the unit. Of course, it is very easy to get confused in the offered assortment of lines, especially for beginners. However, there is a lot of advice from experts and those who have already tried various options..

For an electric trimmer less than 500 W, a thin line with a diameter of 1 to 1.6 mm is suitable. She will perfectly mow lawns with low grass. If the power of the tool is in the range from 0.5 to 1 kW, then it is better to give preference to a line with a diameter of 2 mm or slightly more..

This will be enough to cut thin grass or overgrown weeds, but not too thick..

For petrol trimmers and lawn mowers, line less than 3 mm must not be taken. This thickness will allow you to easily cope with any weeds, dry stems, dense grass. Diameter over 4 mm is only suitable for high power lawn mowers. It turns out that thick line is necessary for powerful technique. It is not recommended for use with low power trimmers, otherwise it will work poorly, constantly winding around the reel and creating additional load on the engine..

Typically, a standard package contains up to 15 meters of line. However, to replace the string on a reel, a length of about 7 meters is sufficient. It also happens that the line is produced in bays of 250-500 meters. When choosing a string, it is imperative to specify the date when it was produced. Nylon that is too old can dry out and become too brittle. If this happens, then you can soak the fishing line for a couple of hours in water, but it will not be completely the same..

When choosing, an important parameter is the section of the string, which can be of several types.

The round section is versatile. It is used for mowing grass of medium thickness and density. May make excessive noise during operation, but not used too quickly.

A square or polygonal section is more efficient than a round one. Sharp corners cut plant stems faster and with better quality.

Ribbed, twisted and star-shaped sections are the most effective. Such a fishing line manages to mow the grass very quickly. And its main drawback is its rapid wear..

The trimmer line is made of nylon, which is durable, lightweight, low cost and durable. To make the cost of the material even cheaper, polyethylene is added to it, but then the line overheats faster. Thick strings have a graphite or steel rod. Sometimes they are reinforced, which increases strength and service life..

It is worth noting that prices for two-piece strings are higher than for standard nylon strings..

Thickness selection

In addition, you should pay special attention to the thickness of the consumable. For mowing young grass, a thread with a diameter of one and a half millimeters is suitable. The larger the diameter of the thread, the drier and coarser weeds it is capable of overpowering.

When choosing a fishing line by thickness, there is one “but”. It is important not only to assess the capabilities of the material, but also to take into account the features of the trimmer. Be sure to check the user manual that came with your tool for information on cutting element requirements..

Using the wrong thread can damage the tool. Using a thread that is too thick will overload the machine’s motor. And the use of a thread that is too thin will significantly increase the wear of the twisting mechanism..

That is why it is necessary to approach the choice of consumables no less responsibly than to refuel it in the trimmer. When a suitable fishing line is found and purchased, you can begin to consider ways of winding it on a reel..

Device in the mower

In the trimmer, the element on which the string is pulled is very simple. It is called the “coil”. Usually it consists of an upper and a lower part (grooves), between which there is a partition with a recess. It is on these grooves that the fishing line should be wound. However, first it is pulled through the recess..

Before removing the coil, unscrew the special button located directly on the mower body. Remove the reel from the mower before changing the line..

It is not difficult to do this, but there are some peculiarities depending on the trimmer configuration and the coil itself..

In small electronic mowers, the motor and reel are at the bottom, and buttons are located on the sides of the reel. If you press them, you get the upper groove of the reel and the part where you need to wind the fishing line.

In bent-arm mowers that do not have a knife, the reels have special two-horned nuts. In such tools, you must hold the bobbin so that it does not move, and at the same time turn the nut clockwise. It is she who holds the entire reel, which is then easy to remove..

Straight boom mowers that can be fitted with a blade have a hole just below the reel. To remove the coil, a screwdriver is inserted into this hole, while the bobbin is fixed. After that, you need to turn the coil clockwise and remove it from the unit.

Sometimes there may be latches on the coil in the form of latches. They must be pressed to separate the parts of the coil. It is also possible that the top and bottom of the bobbin are connected by a thread. In this case, it is enough to grasp the top and bottom with your hands, and then twist in different directions until they unscrew..

Features of the use of trimmers

A trimmer that mows grass with a fishing line can be used near: houses and other buildings, fences and hedges, trees and shrubs, beds and flower beds, row spacing in a garden plot.

Such a convenient, and most importantly, effective device like a trimmer exists in several variations:

As the names suggest, trimmer types differ markedly from one another. But regardless of the type of this tool, a fishing line can be its cutting element. Of course, the line tucked into the trimmer reel is not endless. And sooner or later you will need to replace it with a new one..

Line consumption directly depends on the frequency of use of the device and the scale of the work performed. The more grass is cut and the more often it is trimmed with the trimmer, the more active the line is used in it. And, accordingly, the faster it will end. In this regard, the question arises: how to thread the line into the trimmer spool?

Not everyone knows the answer to this question. But the winding of the line on the reel plays an important role in the trimmer operation. For the device to function properly, it is very important to properly wind the new line onto the reel. How to change the line on the trimmer, and will be discussed in this article.

How to tuck the line into the mower

Safety engineering

Following safety precautions will allow you to quickly and safely insert new line into the spool on the mower. It is imperative that before the replacement begins and the coil is removed, the device must be turned off, especially for electric lawn mowers. It is important to constantly remind yourself to press the special lock button. On each mower, it can be located in different places, but this must be indicated in the instruction manual.

Remember to adjust the cutting element. Otherwise, the work will be unstable and of poor quality. Most often, there is a button on the unit itself that allows you to configure this. If nothing happens when you press it, or the string has loosened its tension, then you need to hold down the button and forcefully pull the line out of the reel.

Winding the line is a very demanding process. It is important to follow all the steps correctly in order to tighten the line well. Materials other than special nylon strings should not be used. It is worth remembering that you cannot put a metal wire, a rod or an iron cable instead of a fishing line. This is dangerous, as the rig can very easily cut through the shoes even of coarse material and injure the wearer. Before putting on a new line, it is important to carefully read the operating instructions for the device, since some models of lawn mowers may have their own structural features, which are important to take into account when replacing.

You can find out how to replace the line on the trimmer from the video below..

Line winding

Threading the line into the trimmer spool is a relatively simple procedure, provided you follow a specific procedure. When you need to determine how many meters of consumable is enough, wind it around the bobbin so that the skein does not exceed the diameter of the sides. Having decided on the length of the cord, follow the instructions below:

  • Fold the consumable in half so that one end of the line is 10-15 cm longer than the other.
  • Charging should be started from the center board, which divides the trimmer bobbin into 2 parts. Find the groove where the cord should be inserted. Bend the last in half.
  • Determine in which direction you want to wind the line. To do this, take a closer look at the bobbin, which may contain an arrow or an inscription. She indicates the side of the winding. If there are no markings on the reel, then look at the arrow on the mowing head – wind in the opposite direction.
  • The consumables should be washed gently, turn to turn. Try to stick to the maximum thread tension.
  • After completing the lining, secure the short end of the material first. To do this, insert it into a groove on the side of the coil that fits in diameter. The other end (longer), attach in the groove on the other side of the trimmer bobbin.
  • After securing the fishing line, cut off the ends. Do not forget to leave allowances of about 10 cm.
  • Place the loaded bobbin onto the mowing head of the device. To do this, you need to alternately insert and pull the thread into the outlet holes of the head, in order to then place the bobbin of the device into the skin..
  • Using the required force, pull the cord out of the locking grooves and tighten the material. After completing this step, put on the cover and secure it with the latches.

Step-by-step winding of the line to the spool

You can also wind the cord on the trimmer in another way, in which two pieces of material are charged instead of one. The replacement is done like this:

  • Bend one end of the cord into a crochet hook.
  • There should be a hole at the bottom of the bobbin to hold the line in place. Insert the bent end of the thread there.
  • Wind the cord material in the direction of the arrow to the desired level, which does not exceed the diameter of the trimmer spool..
  • Do the same for the second bobbin compartment..
  • The assembly of the device head is similar to the first method..

Remember to keep an eye on your surroundings while mowing (and turning) !:

  • Turn off the engine and remove the headphones to detect gestures from others.,
  • So that children, animals, spectators and assistants do not come closer than 15 m, because when a metal knife collides with a stationary object in the grass, the trimmer or lawn mower (lawn mower) can be strongly thrown to the side or turned back, and the trimmer knife rotates at a speed of up to 10,500 rpm. and he is able to cut off an arm or a leg.
    Also, when mowing grass with a trimmer, various objects (rubble, glass, debris) can fly out and ricochet out from under the knife..

How to cut grass with a metal blade trimmer

  • Walk around the area before mowing the grass.,
    a) to determine:
    – the boundaries of the area where we mow the grass;
    – where are the plants in the grass that cannot be cut (flowers, bushes, seedlings);
    b) to determine the starting point (you need to start mowing with the trimmer from the lightest area in order to create an open space so that when moving into larger grass it is better to see the mowing area);
    c) to determine the direction of mowing (depending on the presence of ditches, slopes and slopes of the grass);
    d) to determine how to mow the grass:
    – in folds, if the area is flat with flat grass (so that there are fewer transitions);
    – with the transition back to a clean place, when mowing lodged grass (its slope should be directed forward);
    – mowing grass across a large slope (it is much easier to cut across a slope with a trimmer than going up and down a slope).
  • We put a metal knife on the braid: “weed” or “hay”. Protection, i.e. knife guard, obligatory (without additional protection for the trimmer head)
    – to mow the grass with a trimmer, you need to assemble in order: a drive cartridge, a metal knife (you must put it without distortion), a support cup, a mounting flange and screw on a nut (left-hand thread);
    – insert the locking pin and turn the metal knife to lock the gearbox output shaft;
    – tighten the nut with a wrench with a force of 3 – 5 kg / m;
  • Dress (to mow the grass):
    – noise-isolating headphones;
    – anti-vibration gloves;
    – lightweight and non-slip boots;
  • When mowing grass with a trimmer with a metal knife, you need to set:
    – the speed of the knife, depending on the irregularities (to mow with the trimmer cleaner and faster);
    – working grip of the disc: between 8 and 12 o’clock (when the knife moves to the left);
    – reverse (can be working, cleaning up or idle);
    – engine speed (by load);
    – on level: the angle of inclination of the knife and the width of the mow (more);
    – the height of the cut of the grass (to make it easier to mow with a trimmer or to make it cleaner);
    – where to move (along the ditch, along the slope of the grass, on the site).

Move the fuel and bag as you move along the edge of the slope..

If the grass has fallen: you need to move the steering wheel forward and mow to the left with an inclination of the handles to the left (sector

The Poor Man’s (FREE) Lawn Striping Kit

11 o’clock) and to the right with an inclination of the handles to the right (sector

1 hour), and do not rush !, to mow the grass cleanly and not to “dig” the ground.

How to get Perfect Lawn Stripes with a Push Mower!

You will need things to mow the grass

  • Trousers. Preferably sturdy work jeans with no holes. You can mow grass anywhere, so if your legs are not protected, you will soon feel how several thousand ants are crawling along your legs and biting you. Sometimes the weed can scratch to the blood or lash hard, thrown back by the trimmer on the mower.
  • Gloves are fingerless, leather, it doesn’t matter. If you mow without gloves, by the end of the mow you will not be able to move even your little finger without pain. The weight of the grass presses on the hands through the trimmer and abrasions and abrasions will appear on the hands if they were not wearing protective gloves.
  • Safety glasses – you cannot mow the grass with your eyes closed because small pieces of grass fly into your face. One good eye contact will convince you that safety glasses are a must. This refers to one of the main rules of how to use the trimmer..
  • Have an adequate amount of drinking water on hand. Even if you think it won’t be hot, think again. You need to cut grass with a vibrating trimmer for a long time.
  • Have spare line or trimmed head to replace if run out.
  • If you have an electric trimmer, you must have an extra extension cord. If you have a petrol trimmer, you must have a supply of fuel.
  • Rake to rake cut grass or weeds.
  • A hat if you work in the sun.
  • High boots (it is better to tuck the pants into the boots).
  • If you plan to work at dusk or later, make sure you have insect spray and a flashlight.

How to use the trimmer

  • Get your trimmer ready for use. If you have a petrol trimmer, check if there is fuel in the tank. If you have an electric trimmer, plug in the plug and check if there is enough extension cord to the farthest corners of the area to be mowed. If you have a cordless trimmer – check if the battery is charged.
  • Hold the trimmer as close to the ground as possible to find the best position even before you start moving..
  • Turn on the trimmer (press the throttle button) and start mowing, moving the trimmer evenly from side to side and taking a small step forward, thereby cutting the grass and moving forward. Mow the grass.
  • Stones in the path of the trimmer will significantly accelerate the wear of the trimmer line, which will require more frequent line changes. How to use the trimmer.
  • If you notice that the grass has become smaller and poorly cut when you mow it, then the line is worn out, it has become shorter and it needs to be released more from the trimmer head..
    – Most trimmers have a button under the trimmer head and to release the line you need to press the trimmer head on the ground and the line in semi-automatic mode, under the action of centrifugal force, will jump out of the trimmer head to the required length (will be unrolled from the reel in the trimmer head).
    – For other trimmers, the line must be pulled out of the trimmer head by hand. To do this, you need to stop, turn off the trimmer, turn the trimmer with the cutting equipment towards you and pull the line from the trimmer head to the required length with your hands..
    – Usually the line extends to a length of one mustache 15-20 cm (cutting strip 30-40 cm in diameter) depending on the trimmer model and trimmer head. Excessively released line is cut against the cut-off knife in the plastic trimmer guard.
  • Stop for a few minutes if you feel even a little tired. Although trimming is not the hardest job, if you overwork, your back and arms will ache for several days. If you have back problems, wear a stanchion so that mowing with the trimmer is not hard.
  • Do not use the trimmer to cut the grass to the ground. If you mow the grass like this, the trimmer head will be clogged with soil, there will be a lot of line consumption, and the lawn, yard or area will not look very beautiful. It is necessary to mow so that the stubble has a height of about 5 cm, and the surface is as flat as possible. Then you can turn off the trimmer and finish the job..

Before mowing the grass, we find out the parameters of the site

(to know which knives to take, how much fuel and time you need)

line, lawn, mower
  • the density of the grass;
  • the hardness of the grass;
  • lodging of the grass;
  • weaving grass;
  • (the height and thickness of the grass are not important)
  • plot boundaries;
  • what irregularities (how to enter);
  • the presence of hidden obstacles (remember)
  • what not to cut (bushes, flowers, seedlings).

Mowing the grass in summer is a disaster, not just homework how to use the trimmer. If your yard or area is heavily overgrown with grass, this may scare you, but this part of the article will help you figure out how to cut grass with a trimmer is easier and less annoying..

How to cut grass with a trimmer head (trimmer spool, cutterhead, trimmer spool)

  • First, go around the entire area where you are going to mow the grass: determine the areas to cut with the trimmer head and pick up wires, bottles, debris, etc..
  • Then screw a tool called the trimmer head, trimmer spool, trimmer spool or mowing head onto the trimmer output shaft and attach an additional guard..
  • Put on clothes “what you don’t mind” and goggles or a visor on your face (plant sap splashes heavily during mowing).
  • While working, keep the trimmer head (trimmer coil) slightly at an angle, but do not “dig” the ground.
  • When mowing the grass with the trimmer, look at the end of the string (it is he who does the job).
  • Listen to the string while trimming: let it run at your own speed.
  • Don’t slip and stumble!
  • See what you mow and where you mow (remember that you are always being watched!).
  • String consumption and wear on the trimmer head (mowing head, trimmer coil) increases among stones, bricks, concrete, metal fences, etc..
  • To mow the grass with a trimmer and not damage the bark of trees and bushes, you can release a little gas or work with a string shortened to 10-12 cm.
  • Wind the line tightly and evenly around the drum of the trimmer head (to avoid vibrations).
  • Immediately after you have finished mowing with the trimmer head: Thoroughly clean the plastic guard and accessory guard with a screwdriver. And also wash the sight, the trimmer head itself and the entire outside of the lawn mower with warm water and a brush, until the acid of the plant sap has corroded the paint and dried.
  • If we are mowing grass on a lawn, keep the trimmer head string horizontally low above the ground, and do not cling to the ground, as you can spoil the evenness of the mow, the lawn itself, and so as not to damage the trimmer.

Tips on how to cut grass

  • We mow the grass when it is not very big yet. This will allow you to complete the job much easier and faster than if you mow a heavily overgrown lawn or yard. Large masses of grass, weeds, plants and the trimmer will be difficult to grind. In addition, a lot of chopped grass will lie on the surface, which must either be removed, or wait until it dries, or until it becomes compost, which is not very beautiful and can cause various diseases of the grass..
  • Avoid mowing fences, stones, bricks or any other solid objects, rather than grass, as this will greatly accelerate the wear of the line and you will need to replace it more often.
  • Some will have to wear a brace (although this may seem silly). Back support allows you to stay at work longer and feel more comfortable.

How to tension the saw chain correctly?

Tightening the chain regularly serves your safety and also reduces wear and damage to the chain..

Most STIHL chainsaws have an easy-to-maintain side chain tensioner. With it, you tighten the chain with one movement of your hand. This is done as follows:

Loosen the sprocket cover by hand using the wing nut. Turning the adjusting wheel above to the left will decrease the tension on the saw chain, while rotating the adjusting wheel to the right will tighten the saw chain. When tightening the chain sprocket cover, the guide bar is locked automatically.

When you want to replace the chain, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the groove of the guide bar from dirt in advance. In the event of heavy deposits of dirt in the groove, the chain can otherwise easily slide off the bar. In addition, there is a risk that the chain oil will be absorbed into the dirt ahead of time and will not get onto the particularly stressed underside of the tire. Excessive heat and wear on the chain and bar can be a consequence. You can clean using, for example, a thin screwdriver or other sharp object. A new chain must be run in for a few seconds before being brought into the wood..

With the engine off, first loosen the chain cover fixing screws using the Allen key. To tension the saw chain, it is sufficient to slightly loosen the fastening screws. Then rotate the tension screw with the Allen wrench screwdriver.

Now check if the chain is loose on the guide. Please use work gloves for this. If the chain sags at the bottom, then it is too loose, and you need to tighten the chain with the tensioning screw..

If the chain on the underside of the bar does not slack, but can still be pulled easily, then it is optimally tensioned. It should also still be possible to pull it up a little. Always wear work gloves to avoid the risk of injury from contact with a sharp chain..

line, lawn, mower

You can tension the chain comfortably and without tools with the STIHL quick chain tensioner. many STIHL chain saws are already equipped with this technology. You need to act like this:

Loosen the sprocket cover by hand using the wing nut. Turning the adjusting wheel above to the left will decrease the tension on the saw chain, while rotating the adjusting wheel to the right will tighten the saw chain. When tightening the chain sprocket cover, the guide bar is locked automatically.

When you want to replace the chain, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the groove of the guide bar from dirt in advance. In the event of heavy deposits of dirt in the groove, the chain can otherwise easily slide off the bar. In addition, there is a risk that the chain oil will be absorbed into the dirt ahead of time and will not get onto the particularly stressed underside of the tire. Excessive heat and wear on the chain and bar can be a consequence. You can clean using, for example, a thin screwdriver or other sharp object. A new chain must be run in for a few seconds before being brought into the wood..

WARNING: as the chain shrinks slightly again after cooling, the chain should never be tightened or replaced while hot. Failure to do so may result in severe damage to the guide bar or engine crankshaft. After completing the work, it is recommended to relieve the chain tension slightly again. This is important, first of all, in frosty weather..

line, lawn, mower