I have an Echo SRM-225 trimmer. It came with the bump feeder trimmer head. I dislike spooling or winding the string and the bump feature doesn't always work well. I've been reading about the rapid load heads where you insert pre cut line.

I have about 3/4 of an acre I trim, some fence and landscape rock. My fear with the rapid load is I'll be constantly replacing string or I've read reviews where the head gets clogged with debris and it makes it lawn hell feeding new string in.

Anyone with experience your input would be greatly appreciated?

My Shindaiwa came with a Speedfeed head. Works well enough. Doesn’t hold as much line and it’s tough to open, but 90 percent of the time I just poke it through, twist and done.

I was going to recommend a speedfeed head but it looks like the srm225 comes with a sf standard. They are pretty ez to load, just get the holes lined up and don't try to put over about 5 yds of .095 line. Run the line through half way and start twisting the head. It is a bitch to get the head apart but I seldom have to do that. Biggest problem is trying to load too much line.

I've had a couple trimmers (some cheap) with bump feed heads and had trouble at one time or another with all of them. Maybe it's just me! But I found the rapid load head to be the best.

I never had to spend time messing with the head, either loading or figuring out why it wouldn't feed. Just pull the line out from the center and stick a new length in from the outside of the head. Simple and quick - rapid even!! I never experienced an issue with debris clogging the head preventing the line change. Also, I just stuck a couple of lengths in my pocket and carried it with me in case I needed to use it. I prefer the rapid load head. No muss, no fuss!

My wife has a Stihl FS45 with the bump head. It is a pita in that the line fuses together inside the spool...A LOT! I have a Stihl FS86 with a bump head that doesn't seem to have this issue. I also have a Stihl FS85 that uses the precut line. I like the precut line for trimming around everything, including our fence with welded wire attached. However, when it comes to trimming thicker reeds, I am replacing the line all the time so the bump head works better in that instance.

We have an acre and I can use the same piece of precut line for the whole trimming if I don't tackle the brush. The fence has no effect on cutting the line as it kind of flows around it, but I am not jamming it in for fear of breaking the wire fencing.

Plus, when the string breaks it gives you a little break.

I have the Echo 225, and I use pivot trim...got it at Home Depot.

I wouldn't use anything else...pre cut...quick to change. You can also buy the string in 250ft length and cut it yourself. That is what I do...far cheaper than buying pre cut lengths.

I’ve always liked the bump feed heads vs. the speed feed. I don’t mind the winding, though I mowed lawns for several summers so I got really good at reloading them. Just had less trouble with them over the years.

Bought a speed feed head for my 25+ year old Shindaiwa last summer. I quite like it.

Soak the string in H2O

If your Echo SRM-225 came with a Speed-Feed 400 trimmer head I got to tell you that is about the best that is out there.

It's all about the technique.

Some tips for you.

Trimmer line is a hygroscopic material if the line is stored in dry conditions, e.g. in a shed or a warehouse it can loose its moisture and therefore its flexibility, it can become stiff, brittle and break easily. Storing it for a couple of days before use in a 5 gallon bucket of water at room temperature or higher and it will bring the line back closer to the original, more flexible condition and should significantly reduce breakage due to brittleness.

I load the Speed-Feed 400 up with about 11 feet of good ROUND .095 line. It takes me less than 2 minutes to change line. The square and mulit edge stuff does not stay staight (it deflects a bunch) when cutting. It can also cause feed problems.

Run the trimmer a little above half speed unless you really need to poor on the coal and you can actually cut faster and the line lasts longer. Pehaps even a little slower around rocks and fences.

Also when bump feeding line wind the RPMs up to about 3/4 throttle before bumping... it all about centrifugal force.

On the speed feed 400 head you can assemble one part upside down and it will go together but feed with be poor. R goes down if I remember right. Check me on this about the R though. I just go by the looks after doing it so many times.

^^^^

Wow, that seems like a giant pain in the ass. I'll stick with my precuts. Snip off two lengths, usually one gets me through the yard, need the second one when trying to use weed eater as an edger.

quote:

Originally posted by GarandGuy:
I have an Echo SRM-225 trimmer. It came with the bump feeder trimmer head. I dislike spooling or winding the string and the bump feature doesn't always work well. I've been reading about the rapid load heads where you insert pre cut line.

I have about 3/4 of an acre I trim, some fence and landscape rock. My fear with the rapid load is I'll be constantly replacing string or I've read reviews where the head gets clogged with debris and it makes it lawn hell feeding new string in.

Anyone with experience your input would be greatly appreciated?

I got a bent shaft Echo for a backup. It came with the garbage rapid load head that you have to put the two cut pieces of string into the holes. I replaced it immediately after trying it in the field and having to reload the stupid thing every 16 seconds.

Get the Speedfeed 400 head. I use them on all my whackers. It's the best whacker head available today.

quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:
Also when bump feeding line wind the RPMs up to about 3/4 throttle before bumping... it all about centrifugal force.

Yes, letting it slow down is the only thing I can think of that would prevent it from bump feeding.

quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:
On the speed feed 400 head you can assemble one part upside down and it will go together but feed with be poor. R goes down if I remember right. Check me on this about the R though. I just go by the looks after doing it so many times.

I think it depends in which direction your head spins. The bent shafts and straight shafts spin in opposite directions.

I personally prefer Oregon round Gatorline in .095

Other brands and fancy shapes never perform as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:
If your Echo SRM-225 came with a Speed-Feed 400 trimmer head I got to tell you that is about the best that is out there.

Agree, it is awesome. Very easy to use and re-line. For my ~4ac lot I put a spare 10' length of coiled up line in my pocket just in case I run out on the far side of the lot to save a walk back to the garage. The bump feed works flawlessly and effortlessly... for me.

I always use line with sharp pointy corners on it but no particular brand... the logic being sharp edges cut better then dull ones.

I work at a fruit farm we have a big straight shaft echo that uses the precut line no problems it works great with people that want to trim people that don’t want trim and migrant help using it it is great if we can’t kill it it will work for you

I used to dread changing the line on my Stihl FS100 trimmer, until I saw a video on the correct way to do it. It doesn't get much easier than this.