Putting a New Line Into a Featherlite XT-200 Weed Eater

Whether you call it a weed wacker, weed trimmer or weed eater, there’s no denying that this component is now a staple in the average homeowner’s garage or tool shed. The weed eater is a relatively new invention, as its roots date back to its initial prototype, which George Ballas invented to eliminate the need for manual trimming. George Ballas’ invention used fishing line to slice through grass, whereas the Weed Eater Featherlite XT200 uses a 0.065-inch thick nylon line. Replacing the line is one of the unavoidable maintenance items on the XT200.

At least 18 feet 0.065-inch-diameter trimmer line
Tape measure
Utility knife

Instructions

- 1
  Set the XT200 onto a work bench, with the cutting end hanging off the work bench.
- 2
  Grasp the tap button -- the button on the base of the spool that you tap against the ground to extend the line -- and pull downward firmly to detach the spool from the weed eater’s hub.
- 3
  Remove any leftover string from the spool. Clean the spool and the hub with a damp cloth.
- 4
  Measure and cut an 18-foot length of 0.065-inch trimmer line, using a tape measure and utility knife.
- 5
  Slide one end of the cut 18-foot length of trimmer line about a half inch into the small hole in the spool. Begin evenly wrapping the 18-foot-long trimmer line around the spool in the same direction as the arrow on the spool points.
- 6
  Find the notch in one of the protrusions on one of the tabs on the top of the spool and push the line into this notch, leaving 5 to 6 inches of line hanging from the spool.
- 7
  Guide the 5 to 6 inches of hanging trimmer line through the hole in the XT200’s hub. Line up the notch in the spool that you pressed the line into, with the hole in the XT200’s hub. Press the spool onto the shaft in the hub until it snaps into place.
- 8
  Grab the line coming out of the hole in the XT200’s hub and pull it outward to unseat it from the notch in the spool, to ready the XT200 for use.

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