How to replace the head on a trimmer

How to remove the head of the VIKING grass trimmer the 600

Since the choice of trimmer for grass, we looked in the previous article, now we will tell you how to correctly fill the trimmer for grass fishing line, and what is better to choose based on the criteria of work.

After you have purchased a trimmer for grass and began to use them intensively, at some point there will be a question of substitution of fishing line, as it is the most wearing element in the tool, the intense use of trimmer for grass will lead to frequent substitution of consumables.

What types of lines are available?

A common type of line that fits on virtually all types of spools is cord with a circular cross section. This is a common trimmer line, suitable for mowing lush grass, but it will be much harder to mow dead grass, and it certainly will not cope with shrubs.

As a rule, the diameter with which you can mow young grass does not exceed 1.6 mm. The thicker the line, the rougher the grass it can cut.

There are lines with sharp edges in the form of a star or a square, this version is more adapted to mow dry grass just by having a sharp edge, but the disadvantage is its greater wear and tear, and on the strength it yields round cord.

There are lines with improved aerodynamics with characteristic indentations, scales and notches, such a product makes less noise, but it is used only on petrol-cutters, because it is difficult to get such thread out of the spool, it is used most often with discs, in which pieces are inserted. How to replace a line for a trimmer in an elitech trimmer. Bosch grass trimmer replacing the line threading in the grass trimmer. The disadvantage of such a product is its fragility.

Most often in gasoline trimmers with an engine capacity of more than 1.5 liters.с. use a cord with a metal cable inside. Such thread is ideal for mowing dry grass and small bushes. The presence of a core, positively affects the durability of this material. The disadvantage of such cord is its price, which is significantly higher than the above listed opponents.

How to tuck lines into a grass trimmer reel

To wind up a line for a trimmer, it takes about 10-15 minutes. What is a grass trimmer reel? A plastic body with a cassette inside, which has a special hook for easy winding of the fishing line. Almost all trimmer reels have a similar attachment principle, this is the central screw-button, when you press it, it is possible to pull out the line for the trimmer of the required length. The photo below shows several examples of different trimmer reels.

Bobbins trimmers, the motor of which is at the ground, have a different attachment to the axis of rotation, they have on the spool two buttons located on the sides, which must be released, otherwise, the change of thread in no way differs from other cassettes.

The principle of proper filament winding is similar in all of the above cases, so let’s take the standard version with two tendrils as an example.

To remove the spool of fishing line it is necessary to unscrew the screw, located in the center, but note that the thread is left, so you have to turn it clockwise, this is done on purpose, so that during operation it will not open under the influence of centrifugal force.

Next, using a screwdriver, disassemble the head and take out the spool, on which directly winds the line for the trimmer. Having measured the necessary length and having folded in half, it is necessary to tuck a fishing line for a trimmer into a reel, having deduced, as a result, its ends opposite to each other (for this purpose there are special slots for fixing).

After that it is necessary to assemble the head in the reverse order, passing the ends of the cord through the two corresponding holes.

If there are any doubts or it is not quite clear how to charge the line for the trimmer on the grass trimmer, we recommend to see how to correctly wind the line for the trimmer in the lawnmower. In this video in detail on the steps the instructor will open trimmer head, measure the required amount of fishing line, as a rule, it is from two to four meters, and demonstrate the assembly and installation on the trimmer for grass.

Preparing for replacement

For clarity, the mowing head (bobbin) was removed from the brushcutter. To change the line it is not necessary to remove it, everything is done in place. It does not take long.

Disassemble the grass trimmer bobbin, it is locked with clips. Remove the cover by pushing on the latches. If you don’t have enough force with your hands, use a screwdriver.

The bobbin is made up of the following:

The principle is as follows. When you press the button, the reel is pressed against the spring and comes out of the retaining grooves in the cover of the bobbin. Holding it in this condition, you can twist the reel, thereby adjusting the line length. When you release the button, the body spring returns the coil to its original locked position.

There are a few holes on the bottom of the bobbin for different line diameters. They may differ from trimmer manufacturer to trimmer manufacturer. In some cases (like here) they are signed, in others they are not.

These holes are provided to hold the line in place when changing it. After winding a fishing line on the reel, the ends of the latter are inserted. This is to ensure that the scaffolding does not unwind at the moment of installation of the reel in the body of the grass trimmer. In other words, it makes it easier to change the line.

There are models without a diameter of consumable material. Then in order to find out what the maximum diameter of the fishing line can be used, it is tried on by the holes of the line output from the body of the grass trimmer spool (see. figure below).

The reel has two sections for the line, separated by a partition. There may not be any. They are only needed to distinguish and facilitate the winding of the consumable.

First determine the length of the line you need. The latter is wound into one of the reel sections so that it does not protrude from the reel. In this case it is 3 mm, the length is about 2 meters. Т.е. for two sections you need a 4-meter section for the 1st method. For the second method you need two pieces of 2 meters each.

Now we need to figure out which way to wind it. For this purpose, many trimmer manufacturers put special markings on the reels, such as in the figure below.

If such designations were not found, then you should pay attention to the body of the bobbin. There is necessarily an arrow there, which indicates the movement of the mowing head. The line for the trimmer is wound in the opposite direction.

The first way

The prepared piece (in this case it is 4 meters) is bent approximately in half. one piece should be 15-20 cm longer, and inserted into a special slit located on the separating partition.

The line for the trimmer is wound in the previously determined direction. This is done in tension, the line for the trimmer is carefully distributed. At the same time, it is necessary to wind the section that is longer in the section that is closer to the button.

There are designs that do not provide for the division of the spool into two sections. This does not change anything, the line for the trimmer is wound in a similar way. You just need to make sure that the segments do not overlap.

The section at the bottom of the spool should be the first to finish, i.e.е. The one closest to the fixing holes.

This tip is inserted into the corresponding diameter hole. the line for the trimmer is securely fastened.

A long section is wound in another half turn. There it is similarly fixed. This section crosses over the other side of the spool.

A long piece of line is wound into another half-turn

The fixed ends of the coiled line are inserted into the holes in the body of the grass trimmer spool.

replace, head, trimmer

The fixed ends of the coiled line are inserted into the holes in the body of the weed trimmer’s bobbin

Reel is attached to the body. The ends of the line are tightened firmly so that the line, which was previously fastened in the holes of the spool, comes out of there. This can be easily recognized by the characteristic sound (click).

Snap button reel into grass trimmer bobbin case.

A reel with a button is snapped into the body of the grass trimmer bobbin

The line has been changed successfully. In this case, you need to install back on the grass trimmer and you can start mowing the grass.

It must be repeated that the bobbin does not need to be removed from the grass trimmer, it has been done for clearer presentation of the line replacement process. You can disassemble the bobbin on the spot, reel it in and put it back.

The tips can and should be trimmed so they don’t hit the grass trimmer‘s casing.

Method 2. two strips

does not differ in principle from the method The only difference is two coiled segments of line, instead of one.

There are two special fixing sockets on the reel (see picture above).

Hook the hook formed earlier on the fishing line to it, and start winding the line for the trimmer.

Tool for replacing the trimmer head.

To replace, remove the mowing head from the tool, we need a star-shaped nozzle, usually supplied with a set, or a flat, wide screwdriver. It is not possible to use a hexagon instead of a sprocket, the bit will slip on the screw.

Lawn trimmer has an upper motor and a curved boom. For easy operation, turn it upside down with the engine or lay it horizontally. Disassembling the mowing head. To do this, simultaneously push the side latches and remove the top cover. Disconnect the spool of fishing line.

You can see a slightly recessed screw in the middle of the head housing. Fix the screwdriver head body with one hand and unscrew the screw counterclockwise with the star tip. If you don’t have a sprocket handy, you can do it with a wide flathead screwdriver.

Now it is enough to pull the grass trimmer head towards you to remove it. If it is stuck and sits firmly in place, add to the effort light jiggling movements, periodically changing the place of their application. Don’t apply any sudden or percussive force. The body is plastic and easily damaged.

Changing strand on trimmer

If the grass trimmer reel lightly strikes the ground, the trimmer line does not lengthen, the following are the reasons for this.

Option 1. jamming has occurred, t.е. squeezing of the filament between the coils. This miscommunication usually occurs if the user has wound the line for the trimmer on the spool unevenly, with crossed turns, or wound it with insufficient tension. In the latter case, the rotation of the mowing head at high speed under the influence of centrifugal force the cord begins to tighten, under the influence of which you inter-twist line clamping. to remove this problem you need to take apart the spool on the trimmer and rewind the filament correctly, in other words, with even coils and good tension.

Option 2.7. very short ends protrude from the head. A line for a trimmer may not come out when it hits the ground, if its ends, sticking out of the head, are not long enough (not long enough). Here, the centrifugal force is not enough to stretch the line for the trimmer. Because it is required to suspend the unit (to shut off the engine as it is also called to disconnect trimmer elektrichesky for grass from the network) and pull the line for the trimmer manually, prior pressing the button.

Variant 3. trimmer line is soldered inside the mowing head. This leads to the fact that the coil is stopped and does not even turn when you press the button. Basically, this happens for several reasons: poor quality cord, overheating of the reel during prolonged use of the machine, the impact of the line on solid objects.

  • In the beginning you will like the cords of other manufacturers are made of low-quality and fusible materials that do not hold the mechanical and thermal load. That is why you should give preference to “brand-name” lines.
  • If you still caught the line for the trimmer unknown properties, and it often soldered at one time of work, it is possible to follow the example of certain users, who, after filling the cord in the coil lubricate it or silicone grease (from a canister), or mineral oil. This procedure greatly reduces the possibility of soldering the coils of the fishing line to each other.
  • Also, the line for the trimmer can melt if it hits a hard object (a rock, a fence, a dry branch, etc.) during mowing.д.). Once this is done, it stretches a little and pulls back into the head at a high rate of speed. The friction causes the cord to warm and the coils to stick together. The only thing to do to fix this malfunction is to open the grass trimmer reel and rewind the line for the trimmer.

The string mowing head is a mowing actuator on a garden trimmer. It is designed for mowing grass and represents a special spool (bobbin), from which the cutting cord (string, line for trimmer) stick out in different directions. The string is thus a consumable material that must be replaced in service. Based on the design and operational features of the grass trimmer, manufacturers equip their products with the most diverse types of heads. from simple hand reels to complex automatic reels. The more complex this machine is, the more likely it will break down. What to do if the spool does not spin, the string is not fed or breaks, as well as with other malfunctions. in the material further.

Features of trimmers application

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

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

replace, head, trimmer

Line consumption depends on how often the line is used and the amount of work done. The more grass is mowed and the more often it is trimmed with the grass trimmer, the more active the trimmer line is consumed in it. And consequently, the sooner it will run out. In this connection, the question arises: how to tuck the line for the trimmer into the grass trimmer spool?

Not everyone knows the answer to this question. And the filament on the spool plays an important role in how the weed trimmer works

In order for the device to function properly, it is very important to properly wind the new line for the trimmer on the spool. On how to change the line for the trimmer on the trimmer, and will be discussed in this article

Choosing the thickness

In addition, special attention should be paid to the thickness of the consumable material. To mow young grass, a thread with a diameter within the range of one and a half millimeters is suitable. The larger the diameter of the line, the drier and coarser the weeds it can handle

The larger the diameter of the line, the drier and rougher the weeds it can handle.

When choosing a line by thickness, there is a “but”

It is important not only to assess the material capabilities, but also to take into account the features of the grass trimmer. Be sure to look in the owner’s manual that came with the tool and find information about the requirements for the cutting element. Using the wrong thread can cause the tool to break down

Using too much string would overload the motor. And using too much, too fine filament will severely increase wear and tear on the torque train

Using the wrong thread can cause your tool to malfunction. Using too much filament can overload the engine. And using too thin thread will increase the wear and tear of the torque mechanism many times over.

That’s why you should be just as responsible in choosing a cutting material as you are in putting it in your weed trimmer. Once you’ve found and bought the right line for your trimmer, consider how to wind it on the reel.

How to wind a line onto a trimmer or brushcutter mowing head

Changing a line in a trimmer: 2 easy ways

Head replacement of a craftsman weed eater

Guaranteed to run out of the factory grass trimmer charging will inevitably require replacing the fishing line. Having a very rough idea of how to tuck the line for the trimmer into the grass trimmer reel by themselves, beginners are reluctant to take on this task. However, with some skills, mastering this simple science is not difficult, and the following similar instructions will facilitate this process as much as possible.

Classification by cord charging method

Another important factor is the principle of feeding the line into the mowing head. According to this factor, the following types of reels are found on the market:

  • fast. to charge this type of devices the operator who uses them does not need to remove the headset from its base. It is enough to gently slip the cord to the center of the spool and wrap it around the base several times. This is convenient and also saves a lot of time;
  • collapsible. in order to replace the cord, this type of reel will need to be disassembled. Beginners gardeners may have problems with this procedure, but after gaining the necessary experience, later charging the head will be much faster.

As practice shows, for the novice gardener, the best fit is a fast spool on the grass trimmer. It stands out for its durability and can be actively used in areas with lots of hard obstacles.

How to choose the right line for your trimmer?

Nylon lines are suitable for both electric and gasoline-powered trimmers. This consumable material can be used both for hand-held tools and for lawnmowers on wheels

It is important to choose the right fishing line for the trimmer, as this directly affects both the result of the work and the service life of the unit. Of course, it’s very easy to get confused by the range of lines on offer, especially for beginners. However, there is a lot of advice from experts and those who have already tried different variants

But there are many tips from experts and those who have already tried different options.

A thin trimmer line with a diameter of 1 to 1.6 mm is suitable for electric grass trimmers with a power of less than 500 W. It will cut lawns with low grass very well. If the power of the tool is in the range from 0.5 to 1 kW, it is better to give preference to a line with a diameter of 2 mm or slightly more.

For petrol trimmers, as well as brushcutters, you can not take a line for trimmer less than 3 mm. This thickness will easily cope with any weeds, dry stems, dense grass. Diameter over 4 mm is only suitable for chainsaws with high power. It turns out that a thick line for trimmer is necessary for powerful equipment. It is not recommended for low-power trimmers, otherwise it will not work well, constantly winding on the spool and create additional load on the engine.

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

An important factor is the cross section of the stringline, which comes in several varieties.

The circular cross-section is universal. It is used to mow grass of medium thickness and density. Can make excessive noise when working, but is not used too quickly.

A square or polygonal cross-section is more efficient than a round one. Thanks to the sharp corners, the plant stems are cut with greater speed and better quality.

Ribbed, twisted and star-shaped sections are the most effective. This line can mow grass very quickly. And its main disadvantage is that it wears out quickly.

Grass trimmer lines are made of nylon, which is strong, lightweight, low cost, and wear-resistant. To make the cost of the material even cheaper, polyethylene is added, but then the trimmer line overheats faster. Thick strings have a graphite or steel rod. Sometimes they are reinforced, which increases durability and service life.

How typical mechanical defects appear and how to fix them with your own hands

The following damage to the kinematic circuit occurs most often on an electric trimmer:

  • The bearings of the electric motor can jam or become loose;
  • tangles or breaks the line for the trimmer due to improper winding on the spool;
  • no torque is transmitted from the motor to the mowing head;
  • melts the plastic housing and individual components if overheated due to overload;
  • increased vibration of the rotary head, making mowing difficult.

How easy it is to check bearing function

Simply rotate the outer ring on the shaft and feel how smoothly the bearings work and assess the play of the bearings with your fingers. Broken or worn bearings need to be replaced. Do not forget to refresh the grease if necessary: remove the jet and apply a new one.

Trimmer heads are created in three types of designs, implying the delivery of the line in one of the ways:

Semi-automatic line feed is used on the vast majority of products. It also allows manual adjustment of the cutting length. A lot of failures are caused by violation of operation rules, recommended by the manufacturer, when the grass trimmer starts working beyond its capacity. These include:

How to Replace a RYOBI 18v and 40v Trimmer Head

  • Significant exceeding the diameter of the cutting line, leading to increased stress on the engine, intermediate shafts, gearbox and mechanical parts of the head;
  • installing homemade knives or chains instead of regular designs;
  • Winding the line incorrectly.

Here are such homemades like “eternal line for grass trimmer” not only damage the kinematics of the lawnmower, but also injure people, causing harm to their health. I wouldn’t advise you to do that. There is no economy in this.

How to simply wind the trimmer line onto the bobbin

This question usually causes difficulties for beginners. Especially for this case, I made a special narration on my Yandex Zen channel. I invite you to read it: the information is presented by pictures with explanatory text.

The engine works, but the mowing head doesn’t rotate: what’s the reason

Failure is caused by motor torque no longer being transmitted to the cutting head. A defect can occur anywhere in the transmission link. Most often, the reason for models with reducer lies in the wear and tear of pinion edges. And if you have worn out the teeth on one, you should change both of them at once, because the second one is also damaged

Failures of gear reducers gears most often occur after the loss of lubrication in them, which, by the way, draws the attention of every manufacturer. The fact that the design of grass trimmer gear housing is not made completely airtight

Otherwise its cost will greatly increase. Gears should always work in the grease, but it is spent. If it is not replenished, the damage is inevitable, which happens quite often. For cheaper models without a reducer, the bobbin is attached to a shaft by its bottom part through a plastic bushing. The constant loads cause heating of the plastic, and in the process of operation the sleeve wears out, the head begins to dangle. If critical play is reached, the bushing must be replaced.

Why the lower part of the boom assembly can get very hot

This temperature increase can only be caused by high friction of the rotating parts against the stationary parts. In other words. the spring shaft is pressed tightly against the walls of the plastic insert. (See above for pictures of components of the link rod.). This causes the plastic to melt to the point of damaging the bushing and forming a solid lump that penetrates into the shaft windings. Cooling in the air creates a monolithic structure that can block rotation and even jam the motor. The rotating spring shaft of the boom should always be running in a lubricated environment. It should be regularly lubricated. Perform preventive maintenance in a timely manner.

Why does excessive vibration occur and how to get rid of it

We understand that any part that is well balanced in relation to its axis of rotation will not cause vibration. Runout occurs where the factory balance is disturbed or there is a defect. The weight of the mowing head is quite large. That’s why it is often the reason of increased vibration, but in each case it’s necessary to examine this question on a concrete construction. The owner of short video clip MasterLom shares his experience in repairing such defect on electric mower Tekhmann DCE-2014B. His developments and ideas can be useful to you in eliminating vibrations. Take a look at.

Is it possible to make a spool on the grass trimmer with their own hands

A large number of trimmer heads (not automatic) are available for sale, which have a low price and good quality. But sometimes there are situations, for example, in the country, when the trimmer reel is broken, and its repair is impossible, the store is far away, and it is necessary to mow. In this case, you can quickly, literally in a few minutes, make a simple trimmer attachment to fix the fishing line from ordinary plywood 10-12 mm thick.

  • Take a piece of plywood or textolite and draw a circle about 14 cm in diameter on it.
  • Cut the disc with a jigsaw or metal saw.
  • Drill a hole in the center of the disc to match the diameter of the gear shaft. Do not forget to place the disc on the shaft and washer before mounting it on the spindle.
  • Around the edge of the disc you can screw small corners or make 1-2 holes on opposite sides. They will serve to thread the fishing line into them.
  • To fix the line for the trimmer, you can screw a few screws into the plywood.

Such a homemade mowing head is secured to the shaft with a nut. It is not possible to tighten or loosen the nut without locking the shaft. To replace the cord, you just have to loosen the screws, insert a piece of fishing line of the required length and press it down again.

You can also make the mowing head from sheet metal to secure the line to it. You can see how to do this from the following video.