How to Put String on a Weed Eater Step by Step
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How to put string on a weed eater comes down to a few steps: you cut the new trimmer line to the length your model needs, wind it onto the spool in the direction the arrow shows, seat both ends in the holding slots, and then reassemble the head so the line feeds through the eyelets. Most bump-head trimmers follow the same basic sequence, although the head design differs by brand. The steps below follow a manufacturer’s guide for a bump-head string trimmer, and they tell you where to check your own owner’s manual for the exact line size and length.
Quick answer
- Cut about 10 feet of new line. The manufacturer guide allows twin-strand split line or two ten-foot lengths of .095-inch line, but your manual sets the correct type.
- Remove the bump knob, then lift out the inner wheel and the spring. Set the spring aside.
- Wind the line onto the inner wheel following the arrow, and leave about 6 inches free so you can seat the ends in the holding slots.
- Thread the line through the eyelets, put the wheel and spring back, compress the spring and screw in the bump knob.
What you need before you start
Before you open the head, gather the new line and a clear workspace. The guide for this method uses about 10 feet of line, which can be one piece of twin-strand split line or two ten-foot lengths of .095-inch line. Line diameter is the number to check first, because a line that is too thin may not cut well and one that is too thick may not fit the spool. The manufacturer guide points you to the owner’s manual for the correct type, so keep that manual nearby.
It also helps to have a small tool for the bump knob if your head is tight. The guide does not name a special tool, so use whatever fits the knob without damaging it. Lay the parts out in the order you remove them. Keeping the spring and the wheel in sequence makes reassembly quicker and reduces the chance of a part going missing.
If your trimmer is a 2-in-1 model with a shaft that also takes an edger or another attachment, the head procedure is the same, but the shaft may sit at a different angle. Confirm that the trimmer is set up with the head you are working on before you start.
Step 1: Cut the new line
Measure out about 10 feet of new line. Cutting it to length in advance saves time once the spool is open. If you are using two separate lengths, cut both to the same size so the spool winds evenly. Keep the line straight while you cut it, since kinked line can wind unevenly and feed poorly when the head turns. Your owner’s manual will list the line diameter and any length limit for your head, and those numbers override the general guidance here.
Step 2: Take the head apart
Unscrew the bump knob that holds the head together. Once the knob is off, remove the inner wheel and the spring beneath it. The guide says to set the spring aside rather than drop it, because the spring is needed to reassemble the head correctly. Look at the wheel and the shaft as you remove them. Note how the wheel sits on the shaft and where its holding slots face, since you will align those again later.
If the old line is still on the spool, unwind it and discard it. Wipe out any grass and dirt from the spool area so the new line sits flat. A clean spool makes the next winding step much easier, and debris in the head can make the line bind when the head is turning.
Step 3: Install the line on the inner wheel
The inner wheel has two small holes on top. Push one end of each line length into one of the two holes. Pull them through until the ends line up, and leave two to three inches of line sticking out past the wheel. Then push the short ends into the other hole. Pull the long end to close the loop so both lengths sit on the spool together.
Wind the line tightly around the spool. Follow the arrow printed on the top of the wheel, since winding in the wrong direction can cause the line to feed badly. Keep each turn snug against the one before it, and keep the two lengths side by side rather than crossing them. When about 6 inches of line remain free, push the two ends into the holding slots on the wheel. Those slots keep the line from unwinding while you reassemble the head.
A common mistake is to wind too much line onto the spool so it bulges against the cover. If the spool does not sit flat inside the head, unwind a little and try again. Check that the line is not twisted along the spool, since a twist can cause tangling once the trimmer is running.
Step 4: Reassemble the head
Put the spring back on the shaft first. Then feed the free ends of the line through the eyelets on the spring head. The eyelets are the small openings on the outer housing, and the line must come out of them cleanly on both sides. Hold the line gently while you do this so it does not pull back into the spool.
Place the wheel back on the shaft and align its holding slots with the eyelets on the cutter head. The guide describes this alignment as the key step, because the slots must line up before the spring is compressed. Hold down the wheel to compress the spring, and screw the bump knob back into the head. Tighten the knob by hand until it seats. Do not force it, since over-tightening can strip the threads.
Step 5: Free the line
Once the head is closed, gently pull both ends of the line to confirm they have released from the holding slots. This is a quick check. If the ends do not move, the line is still held in the slots, and you need to press the head or wheel and pull again. The line should pull out to the correct length on both sides, which lets the head feed as you start the trimmer.
After the line is free, check that both sides are the same length. If one side is much shorter, open the head and wind the line again so the two sides balance. Unequal lengths can cause vibration and uneven cutting, and they can make the head feel off balance when you start the trimmer.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common problem is winding the line against the arrow on the wheel. The guide says to wind in the direction the arrow shows, so check the arrow before you start. The second common problem is leaving the ends out of the holding slots. If the ends are not seated, the line can unwind during reassembly and you will need to start the winding again.
A third mistake is putting the wrong line diameter into the head. The guide mentions .095-inch line, which is a common size, but your owner’s manual is the authority for your model. Using a line that is too thick can jam the spool, and one that is too thin can wear quickly. The guide also points out that you should use genuine OEM replacement parts where possible and consult your owner’s manual for more maintenance information.
Finally, watch the head cover. The guide’s steps depend on the spring and wheel sitting in the right order. If the cover does not close smoothly, take the head apart again and check that the spring sits on the shaft and that the wheel is aligned.
Check the line before you run the trimmer
Before you start the trimmer, check that the head turns freely by hand, that both line ends are out of the eyelets, and that the bump knob is tight. Pull the line gently to confirm it does not pull back into the head. These checks take a few seconds and catch most setup problems before the trimmer is running. The guide does not list specific safety steps for this procedure, so follow the safety instructions in your owner’s manual before you work on the head.
Products in our pack that use this line type
Several trimmers in our product data pack are cordless models that use a bump or auto feed head, and the pack lists one line product that matches the .095-inch size used in this guide. The Husqvarna Titanium X-Pro line listing describes a .095-inch string trimmer line on a 200-foot spool, which is one way to restock a head that uses that diameter. Check that the line size on the spool matches the number in your owner’s manual before you buy, since the pack listing alone does not confirm compatibility with your model.
If you are shopping for a new trimmer rather than replacing line, the pack also includes several battery-powered models that use auto feed heads. Our guide to cutting tall weeds with a string trimmer covers technique for thick growth, and the top 10 battery powered weed eaters article compares models by listing details.
FAQ
How much string do I need for a weed eater?
The manufacturer guide used for this article calls for about 10 feet of line, either one piece of twin-strand split line or two ten-foot lengths of .095-inch line. Your owner’s manual sets the exact length and diameter for your model, so use that figure if it differs.
Which way do I wind the line?
Wind the line in the direction of the arrow printed on top of the inner wheel. Winding against the arrow can make the line feed badly once the trimmer is running.
What is the holding slot for?
The holding slots on the wheel grip the two line ends while you reassemble the head, so the line does not unwind. When about 6 inches of line remain free, push both ends into the slots, then align the wheel with the eyelets during reassembly.
Do I need to replace the spring when I restring the head?
The guide describes removing the spring, setting it aside and putting it back on the shaft during reassembly, so it is reused rather than replaced in this procedure. If the spring is damaged, use an OEM replacement part as the guide recommends.
Why does my line not come out after I reassemble the head?
The guide says to gently pull both ends to confirm they have released from the holding slots. If the line stays put, the ends may still be held in the slots, so reopen the head and check that they are seated and free.
Bottom line
To put string on a weed eater, cut about 10 feet of the correct line, remove the bump knob and the inner wheel, wind the line in the arrow’s direction, seat the ends in the holding slots, and reassemble the head through the eyelets. Check the line diameter and length in your owner’s manual first, since the manufacturer guide says the manual is the final authority for your model. Then pull both ends to confirm the line is free before you start the trimmer.
Sources
Cub Cadet, How to Replace Trimmer Line (manufacturer knowledge page)
