Best Weed Eater Replacement Heads for Trimming
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Weed eater replacement heads come in two broad designs: a spool head that holds wound trimmer line and a fixed-line head that uses short pre-cut strands. Before you buy, match the head to your trimmer’s shaft type and the line diameter it accepts. The five heads below are all listed as replacement string trimmer heads, and each listing states the fit, line size and loading method you need to check.
Quick answer
- Check the shaft and model compatibility first. Husqvarna T25 and T35 heads list specific trimmer model families, while the Weed Warrior heads list universal fit.
- Match the line diameter. The listings accept line from .050 inch to .155 inch, so confirm the range before you choose a head.
- Choose a loading style you can live with. The Push-N-Load and the Autowinder II avoid winding a spool by hand, while the Husqvarna heads use a split spool that comes off with the cap.
- Count the line in the package. Some listings include pre-wound or pre-cut line, and others do not state it.
How to choose a replacement head
A replacement head has to fit the threaded end of your trimmer shaft and the way the head is driven. Most homeowner trimmers use either a bump feed head, where a tap on the ground advances fresh line, or a fixed-line head that does not advance. The listings in this roundup describe both. The Husqvarna T25 and T35 are split-spool heads. The Autowinder II is described as a bump feed head. The PivoTrim and Push-N-Load are fixed-line heads.
Start with the model number on your current head or on the trimmer’s label. The Husqvarna T35 listing says it fits Husqvarna straight shaft trimmers in the 100 to 500 series and most Echo, Stihl and RedMax straight shaft trimmers. The Husqvarna T25 listing names specific 122, 124, 125, 128, 130, 223, 322, 323, 325 and 326 model numbers. If your trimmer is not on that list, the T25 may not fit it.
Next, check line diameter. A head that accepts a thin line may not hold a thick one, and an over-thick line can jam or fail to feed. The listings state the range each head accepts, so compare them against the line your trimmer uses.
Line capacity and included line
The listings differ in how much line each head holds and whether line comes in the box. The Husqvarna T35 head holds 28 feet of .095 inch line and comes pre-wound with .095 inch Titanium Force line. The Husqvarna T25 head holds 16.5 feet of .095 inch line and comes pre-wound with .080 inch line on the T25C version or .095 inch line on the T25. The Weed Warrior Autowinder II accepts up to 16 feet of .080, .095 and .105 inch line. The PivoTrim includes premium pre-cut line, and the listing states it accepts .080 and .095 inch line. The Push-N-Load includes six pre-cut .095 inch strips and an adapter kit.
Pre-wound and pre-cut line are not the same thing. Pre-wound line is already on the spool, so you only need to insert the head. Pre-cut line comes as short strands that you push or insert into the head. Both are a convenience, but neither changes the head’s fit or capacity.
Reloading and tangling
Reload speed is where the designs differ most. The Husqvarna T25 and T35 listings say the spool comes off with the cap, so you do not have to turn the trimmer upside down to reload. Both also describe a split spool that reduces tangling and line welding, with arrows on the spool that show the winding direction.
The Weed Warrior Autowinder II is described as a bump feed head that advances line with a tap and lets you reload without disassembling the whole head. The Push-N-Load is described as a no-spool-winding head: you insert precut line directly into the head. The PivoTrim is a fixed-line head that uses six pivoting lines, and the listing describes it as quick and easy to use.
Materials and build
The listings describe different construction. The Push-N-Load is made of glass-filled nylon, which the listing says gives good abrasion resistance for grass and weed trimming. The Autowinder II is described as heavy-duty construction for edging, trimming and weed cutting around fences and landscaping. The PivoTrim lists its material type as metal. The Husqvarna heads are described as Husqvarna Professional Tap Advance replacement heads, but the listings do not state a material for the spool body.
Metal and nylon heads do different jobs. A metal fixed-line head is listed for heavier trimming, while a nylon head is listed for general grass and weed work. Neither listing claims the head is indestructible, and this article does not make that claim either.
The five heads in this roundup
Husqvarna 537388101 T35 String Trimmer Head
The T35 is a split-spool head for Husqvarna straight shaft trimmers in the 100 to 500 series, and the listing says it also fits most Echo, Stihl and RedMax straight shaft trimmers. It holds 28 feet of .095 inch line and comes pre-wound with .095 inch Titanium Force line. The listing says it is compatible with line from .065 to .105 inch. The spool comes off with the cap, and the arrows on the spool show the winding direction. The model number is 537388101. It is a good fit if you already run a Husqvarna straight shaft trimmer and want a head that matches the model family.
Husqvarna 966674401 T25 String Trimmer Head
The T25 is a Husqvarna Tap Advance head for the 100 to 200 series. The listing names specific model numbers, including the 122C, 124C, 125C, 128C, 130C, 223L and 326CX. It holds 16.5 feet of .095 inch line. The T25C version comes pre-wound with .080 inch line, and the T25 comes pre-wound with .095 inch line. The listing says the line it accepts runs from .065 to .095 inch. Like the T35, its spool comes off with the cap, and its split spool reduces tangling. Choose this head over the T35 if your trimmer is on the T25 model list, because the listing names those models directly.
Weed Warrior PivoTrim Universal Fixed Line Trimmer Head
The PivoTrim is a fixed-line head with a pivoting design. Its title says it fits gas and cordless string trimmers, and the listing says it fits most trimmer models. It accepts .080 inch and .095 inch line and includes premium pre-cut trimmer line. The bullets say the head cuts with six pivoting lines to help prevent breakage, and the material type is metal. The model number is 17233. It suits a buyer who wants a head with no spool to wind and who is cutting with line in the .080 to .095 inch range.
Weed Warrior Autowinder II Universal String Trimmer Head
The Autowinder II is a bump feed head. The listing names compatibility with most gas trimmers and select cordless models, and it names Echo, Stihl, Redmax, Ryobi, Cub Cadet, Weed Eater and MTD among the brands it fits. It accepts up to 16 feet of line in .080, .095 and .105 inch diameters. The bullets say you can reload line without taking the whole head apart. The head is built for edging, trimming and weed cutting around lawns, fences and landscaping. The model number is 17561. The brand list is a good starting point, but the listing does not describe a specific fit test, so match the head to your trimmer before you buy.
Weed Warrior Push-N-Load 2-Line Universal String Trimmer Head
The Push-N-Load is a fixed 2-line head that accepts line from .050 inch to .155 inch. Its listing describes it as a universal replacement for gas and battery trimmers. The loading style is push-in: you insert precut line into the head, and the listing says there is no spool to wind. The head is made of glass-filled nylon, and the listing says it has excellent abrasion resistance for demanding grass and weed trimming. The package includes six precut .095 inch line strips and an adapter kit. The model number is 17234. It is the widest line range in this roundup, which makes it a practical choice if you switch between thin and thick line.
Side-by-side comparison
| Head | Type | Line size accepted | Included line | Loading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna T35 (537388101) | Split spool, bump style | .065 to .105 inch | Pre-wound .095 inch | Spool comes off with cap |
| Husqvarna T25 (966674401) | Split spool | .065 to .095 inch | Pre-wound .080 or .095 inch | Spool comes off with cap |
| Weed Warrior PivoTrim (17233) | Fixed line, six pivoting lines | .080 and .095 inch | Premium pre-cut line | Fixed line |
| Weed Warrior Autowinder II (17561) | Bump feed | .080, .095 and .105 inch | Not stated | Reload without disassembly |
| Weed Warrior Push-N-Load (17234) | Fixed 2-line | .050 to .155 inch | Six pre-cut .095 inch strips and adapter kit | Push in, no winding |
Where a cell says “Not stated”, the listing does not give that figure.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying a head because the package looks familiar. Check the model list or the universal fit statement in the listing.
- Using line outside the accepted range. A head rated for .080 to .095 inch line is not listed for thicker line.
- Assuming line is included. The Autowinder II listing does not state included line, so check the package before you buy.
- Mixing a split-spool head with a fixed-line head on the same trimmer without checking the shaft fit. The head has to match the trimmer’s drive and thread.
- Running the trimmer with a worn or damaged head. A cracked head can throw parts, so replace it when the housing is damaged and wear eye protection while trimming.
FAQ
Will any replacement head fit my weed eater?
No. The Husqvarna T25 and T35 list specific trimmer families. The Weed Warrior heads list universal or broad fit. Check your trimmer’s model and shaft type against the listing before you buy.
What line size should I use with these heads?
Use a line size that the head accepts. The listings give ranges: .065 to .105 inch for the T35, .065 to .095 inch for the T25, .080 and .095 inch for the PivoTrim, .080, .095 and .105 inch for the Autowinder II, and .050 to .155 inch for the Push-N-Load.
Are the heads pre-wound with line?
The Husqvarna T25 and T35 come pre-wound. The Push-N-Load includes pre-cut strips, and the PivoTrim includes premium pre-cut line. The Autowinder II listing does not state included line.
What is the difference between a bump feed head and a fixed-line head?
A bump feed head advances fresh line when you tap it on the ground, as the Autowinder II listing describes. A fixed-line head holds short precut strands and does not advance them. The Push-N-Load and PivoTrim are fixed-line heads.
Can I use a metal head on a cordless trimmer?
The PivoTrim listing says it fits gas and cordless string trimmers, and its material type is metal. Confirm the shaft and thread fit for your model before you install it, since the listing does not give a torque or thread specification.
Bottom line
Match the head to your trimmer’s model or universal fit statement, then match the line size to the range the head accepts. If your trimmer is a Husqvarna in one of the listed model families, use the T25 or T35. If you want a universal head with a wide line range and no spool to wind, look at the Push-N-Load. If you want a bump feed head that reloads without disassembly, the Autowinder II is the one to read first.
Related reading: Top 10 Battery Powered Weed Eaters: 6 Real Picks Compared and Best Ryobi ONE+ String Trimmers Compared.
