If there is one thing that can make a simple yard job annoying in a hurry, it is running out of line on a stihl trimmer. A lot of people assume restringing it is complicated, messy, or just plain frustrating. The good news is that it is usually much easier than it looks, especially once we know which trimmer head we are dealing with.
3 Things You Need to Know about Stihl EasySpool
How to load it
What line length to use
Why it is the better option for most people
The Simplicity of the EasySpool Stihl Trimmer Head
The newer easy to load head is the simpler of the two common stihl trimmer head styles. It has alignment arrows on the head. Once those arrows are lined up, we feed one piece of trimmer line straight through the head until both sides of the stihl trimmer line are even. Then we hold the line (to keep it from tangling) and twist the head to wind it up. No disassembly required. That is the whole process – Feed, Twist, Done.
How Much Line to Use
For the larger version of this Stihl EasySpool head, use about 20 to 25 feet of line. For the smaller head often found on a curve shaft trimmer, use about 12 feet.
Step-by-Step
- Line up the arrows on the trimmer head.
- Insert one long piece of line through the head.
- Pull it through until both ends are the same length.
- Hold the head and twist to wind the line.
- Leave enough line sticking out on each side for trimming.
The only real nuisance with this setup is the line itself. Long trimmer line can get tangled while we are feeding it through, so it helps to pull it out gradually instead of wrestling the whole coil at once.
How Much Line Should Stick Out?
Once the line is loaded, we do not want extra-long ends hanging out everywhere. Leave the ends just long enough to trim properly. A good rule is to keep the line around the normal operating length and let the built-in knife on the guard do the final adjustment if needed. If the line extends past that knife, it will trim the excess off once the trimmer starts spinning. We do not have to be perfect. We just need to be close.
Pros
- Very fast to reload
- No disassembly required
- Great for homeowners and pros
- Easy to reload on the spot
- Less chance of putting line in the wrong way
Cons
- The line can tangle while feeding it through
- Still takes a little practice the first time
