How to Change the Line in a Weed Whacker

Weed whackers use a plastic filament as the spinning "blade" that allows you to edge lawns, walkways and gardens easily. The flexibility of the line lets you get into places that stiff blades wouldn't let you because the line will bend when it hits an obstruction. While that is a bonus of the weed whacker, it also means that your line will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. You can change the line in a Weed Whacker easily, as they are designed for any one to be able to do it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Replacement filament line
• Scissors

1. Disconnect the power supply to your Weed Whacker. If you have an electric model, make sure the cord is unplugged. If you have a gas engine model, locate the spark plug and pull the electric wire from the top to disconnect it. When you pull the wire, grasp it by the rubber hood that covers the top of the spark plug and pull. Do not grab the wire or you could damage the connection within the hood.

2. Lay your Weed Whacker on the ground and turn it so you can see the underneath where the line spool is located.

3. Grab the spool, push in on the spool and twist it in the direction indicated by the arrows molded on the spool. As you are turning it you will hear and feel a kind of "pop", this means the holding clips have released and you can pull the spool cover off the Weed Whacker. Some models may have a tab located on the side of the spool that needs to be depressed while pushing in and turning. If your model has that it will be clearly marked.

4. Wind your replacement line onto the spool. If you have a two-line model, skip to the next step. For a single line, unwind about a six inches of line from your replacement spool. Feed the beginning of the line into the lock hole in the side of the spool on the Weed Whacker. Wind the line tightly, going in the same direction as you had to twist to remove the cover. When all but six inches is on the spool, thread the free end through the line hole in the sides of the screw cap and screw the cap back on. Once the cap is in place, pull the line to tighten it on the internal spool.

5. Unwind twelve inches of replacement line. Place the approximate center of your replacement line on the spool in the Weed Whacker under the small molded tab designed to hold it in position. Carefully wrap the spool bringing one end of your replacement line around it from one direction and the other from the opposite. Make sure the lines do not tangle or overlap but that they "stack" on the spool. Feed the last six inches of each line through the notch in the screw cap. Reinstall the screw cap and pull both lines tight.

6. Turn the Weed Whacker over, reconnect the spark plug wire (if necessary) or plug it in. Start the Weed Whacker and run it briefly to allow the spool to spin and tighten the new lines.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are wrapping a double line spool, use your feet to help you. Stand holding the Weed Whacker, keep your finger on the line on the spool to hold it in place and as you wrap a line in one direction, step on that line to maintain tension on it while you wrap the next loop of the other. Then step on that one. As long as you can keep the tension on the lines as you wrap them you will have less a chance of the lines tangling.
• Never attempt to work on any part of a Weed Whacker without the power being completely disconnected. Weed Whackers work well because the plastic line acts as a blade and you do not want these "blades" to start while your hands, arms or face is near them. This could lead to serious injury.

References

• Feed the beginning of the line into the lock hole

Resources

• How to Find the Right Weed Wacker for You