And isn't a GIANT pain in the ass to load?

I have an Echo trimmer and the power head is fabulous. Starts easy, runs well, reasonable weight.

I'm on my second (or maybe third...) style of head for the thing and NONE of them work worth a fuck. Won't feed half the time, major pain in the ass to reload and re-install. To the point that I was a heartbeat away from shot-putting the whole damn thing into the swamp.

Help?

I have a Ryobi electric and have the same issue. About 1/2 way through the reel I have to spool the line again. Argghhh Drives me crazy

I replaced my Echo string head with the same model, Echo SRM Speedfeed sold on Amazon. Are you using Echo branded replacement?

My Stihl works fine and has for years.
Careful loading is essential for any of them.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
I replaced my Echo string head with the same model, Echo SRM Speedfeed sold on Amazon. Are you using Echo branded replacement?

Looking at the picture, that's what I have on there now, but it's not Echo branded. I'm not sure there would be enough difference to warrant trying a new one.

I think what I want is the sort where you cut a piece of filament to length and stab it into a "chinese handcuff" sort of socket.

I haven't used any that weren't a pain in the ass to load. There are some heads where you can load individual pre cut pieces of line, but they don't last.

I have a very simple trimmer head that works fine after trying many many others over the years. Very basic and simple. You manually load it with four 1' strings, no cassette to wind up, or flaky feed mechanism. The nylon lasts a lot longer partly because there are fewer strains on the cords, but also because the design allows one to use the heavy-duty thicker nylon.

It says "PivoTrim" on the head, I bought it at Home Depot perhaps two decades or so ago. This one appears to be an updated version. As I said, very simple, no springs to dislodge themselves, etc.

Echo Speedfeed 400

https://www.amazon.com/Echo-99...ngarden%2C126&sr=1-3

Reload in less than a minute. Push cord thru hole, wind up. Resume trimming. I use mine with .095 string but it says it can take up to .105

Made 1 modification to mine. Added a bolt to the bump surface to increase life of the bump surface. The plates are readily available but I'm cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/Echo-X4...garden%2C126&sr=1-20

I have a Shindaiwa T262 still using original plate after 4 years,

I use it in a residential not commercial setting.



Edit:
For those having trouble with their line binding, soak the cord in water for about 5 minutes before putting it on the trimmer. Over time, the string dries out, runs hotter and sticks to itself.
After the water bath, good as new.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PeteF,

Speed feeds are great. Load 6 ft of string in a minute. Just thread through the opening and crank the head by hand to wind on the string, easy peasy.

@Patriot and PeteF

I have one, and didn't know it. Doh! I watched the video and loaded the string as shown and it seems to be working MUCH better.

It is a clone and it is pretty tired, so I'll probably get a Genuine Echo replacement for next year.

I suspect that manually wrapping the filament was causing issues with overlays and tangles.

I haven't had any issues with my Stihl, either. It seems like they are all a bit of a PITA to load.

You can always go to a blade head, but you have to be VERY careful with those.

At the local Ace Hardware, I saw what looked like a chainsaw chain attached to a string trimmer head. It is supposed to cut weeds for ages and resharpens rather easily.

I imagine if you clip the house siding, it’s not nearly as forgiving as string, but the need to never reload and only sharpen, sounds pretty great.

I found a new solution. Since my hip replacement I hired a yard guy. He does such a good job I may never use my tractor, lawn mower or trimmers again ! Just found he does leaves too.

I saw a YouTuber landscaper video who was a Stihl fan boy... but when buying a new trimmer the first thing he did was toss the factory head and put on an Echo 400!

There are newer "improved" echo heads but they have/had design problems that need to be/may have been worked out. The plastic parts slip on the metal mount and heat up and melt the string... and then eventually get too loose to turn the head. This was happening to users in less than a year... in commercial use.

My echo is over 15 years old and on its second speed feed 400. IIRC the first one lasted 10 or so years... and I'm trimming 4 acre.

I don't remember the spec but I load mine with 15 feet of line at a time.

I can not imagine a head that is easier to use or works better.

I have gone through numerous string trimmers, gas and electric.
The 2cycle gas are a pain to keep going and you still have a lousy trimmer head to constantly deal with. The electric will run but battery capacity is a problem if you have a big lot to maintain, plus the trimmer head attachment is always acting up.
I eventually went to a Milwaukee electric because my other battery powered tools all share the same battery. I had initial problems with the line feeding but found that not loading the trimmer head to max capacity seemed to solve the head problems as far as line feeding is concerned.
The head on the Milwaukee is very easy to load.
I still find myself breathing a sigh of relief every time I finish with it and didn't have to screw around with it to get it to work.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
My Stihl works fine and has for years.
Careful loading is essential for any of them.

Same here. My Stihl is called something like "multi tool" and is a straight pole that accepts many attachments, including the trimmer head, and it has worked flawlessly for 20 years now.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
My Stihl works fine and has for years.
Careful loading is essential for any of them.

Same here. My Stihl is called something like "multi tool" and is a straight pole that accepts many attachments, including the trimmer head, and it has worked flawlessly for 20 years now.

When I was struggling with mine the first time, I looked up the youtube instructions and it's been a lot easier since then. Before that it seemed like you'd need three hands to get it all loaded and back together.
I use a thicker type of string that has sharper edges and lasts and cuts quite a while longer than the regular round stuff.

Speedfeed . Super quick .

Husqvarna is pretty simple. Not sure how it could be easier.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
I replaced my Echo string head with the same model, Echo SRM Speedfeed sold on Amazon. Are you using Echo branded replacement?

Looking at the picture, that's what I have on there now, but it's not Echo branded. I'm not sure there would be enough difference to warrant trying a new one.

I think what I want is the sort where you cut a piece of filament to length and stab it into a "chinese handcuff" sort of socket.

I had one of those and went back to the regular head as I have 700ft of chain link and I was adding new lines every 20’ it felt like.