How to Load Trimmer Line on Stihl Trimmers

Stihl trimmers operate with a nylon cutting line that spins at high rates of speed to slice through weeds and grasses. This nylon line, however, isn’t very resilient and will break against anything harder than grass. When the line breaks off eventually the operator will run out of line and need to replace it. If the operator doesn’t reload the line properly, the trimmer won’t cut and extra line won’t feed out when the line breaks off. Proper loading requires a tight, even amount of line on the cutting spool.

Rag
Scissors
Correct replacement trimmer line

Instructions

- 1
  Switch off the Stihl trimmer’s power source by unplugging the electrical cord, or turning the ignition switch to “Off.” Wait for the head to stop spinning and, if possible, wait several minutes for the engine to cool down before replacing the line.
- 2
  Place the trimmer on the ground with the bottom of the mowing head facing up. Take off the mowing head’s cover, by either pressing in the tabs on the outside of the head, unscrewing the center knob, or pushing the cover down while turning it counterclockwise, depending on the model.
- 3
  Take the cover off and pull the spool from the mowing head. Clear away any remaining cutting line from the spool. Clean out the inside of the mowing head and the spool with the rag.
- 4
  Cut off the appropriate amount of replacement cutting line. See product manual or spool package for your model’s specifications. Cut the line in half if required.
- 5
  Insert both ends of the lines into the two holes on either half of the spool. Insert the lines and bend the ends to anchor them to the spool. Wind both lines evenly and tightly around the spool following the arrow on the spool.
- 6
  Leave about four to six inches of line off the spool. Place these ends into the two notches on the upper part of the spool. Turn over the spool. Feed the line ends through the two eyelets on the mowing head.
- 7
  Press the spool down into the mowing head. Refit the cover to the mowing head and tighten it to the head in the opposite manner as its removal.

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