The trim line of my weed eater breaks frequently, what should I do?

The weed whackers of today have made our lives in the lawn/garden maintenance quite easy. We can use them to trim, dense and tall grass and can even utilize them to trim the edges of the lawn in an aesthetically pleasing fashion. However, such versatile and sophisticated tools also bring in a lot of challenges for us to cope with. One such big challenge is the frequent breaking of the trimline or the string. The string of a gas powered weed eater or any other type is considered to be the backbone of the tool. Therefore, its proper functioning and precise troubleshooting in case of breakage is pivotal. This is what we will be discussing in this detailed guide.

Procedure for replacing the string of a weed whacker:

It is not really about the cost of replacing the string of a weed eater, as it isn’t too expensive. But, the trimline breaking very frequently can be very frustrating, as spooling it back can be a time-consuming process. In order to gain expertise in the replacing of the weed whacker’s string process, the following points should be considered in chronological order:

• Setting up the tool– First of all, remove the power plug if it is an electric weed whacker or switch off the power button for the battery operated ones. No matter whichever type of tool you have, you need to place it in the most appropriate position for replacing the string. You need to place it over some workbench or any other solid and flat surface.
• Preparing the string – The desired length of the string varies from tool to tool. Therefore, you need to check that with your product manufacturer or look in their product manual. Buy only the recommended string’s width and length by your manufacturer.
• Cap Removal – Next comes the turn for the removal of the retaining cap. You will need a screwdriver to get removal access to the retaining cap. Again, the product manual reference as in the prior step would be a great deal of help for you.
• Locating the hole – The one tip of the string should be inserted into the starter hole after locating it just under the retaining cap. Thereafter, you need to wind it in the direction indicated by the printed arrows. Do the winding of the string very gently and neatly as string winded not in straight rows could jam it later on. If you have a dual sided string trimmer, then repeat the same winding procedure with the other line as well.
• Observing the ends of the line – Once you are done with the above step then you need to assure that after winding up both the lines, the ends of both should point in the opposite direction. This is essential for matching up with the eyelets that are given on the outer side of the head of the trimmer.
• Getting back with the retaining cap of the weed whacker – This is the time when you are required to line up your earlier removed retaining cap with the hole given at the outer side of the trimmer’s head. Now get the spool replaced right into the head of the trimmer and remove the string from the retaining cap. Thereafter, you need to pull up the string right through the hole for making certain that the strings are actually through very smoothly. Now, get the retaining cap and fix it back with the screws.
• Test it before the real job -After you are done with replacing the trimline, then plug back your tool if it is an electric one or switch it on for the battery operated ones. Test it first on small lighter and smaller grass for making sure that the replacement of the trimline is done in the most desirable manner.

Proper care while usage would eliminate the chances of breaking the string:

Prevention is better than cure is something we can relate with such trimmers.If you carefully use the tool, then that would virtually eliminate any chances of its string to break. He following points would help you maximize the productivity of the tool and that too without any vulnerability to string breakage:

• When you are cutting then make sure that you are doing so with the tip of the trimline and also keep it well off the ground level. This ensures that the pebbles or debris on the ground don’t affect the tool performance and it would also guard you from such pebbles and debris.
• Keep the tool at a certain angle while operating as that will protect the head to rub against the ground, which could possibly affect the trimline as well.
• Don’t let the tall grass or the bark of the trees to get tangled right around the tool. Keep a good check on this thing while operating and get your trimmer free from such things as early as possible, or otherwise it can deteriorate the performance of the trimline level. Cabbage palms can be the worst enemy of the trimmer with the potential to easily get tangled up with its leaves while operating. Therefore, it is highly advised to keep your product at a good distance from such leaves.
• Don’t let the product turn upside down while using it, as that very often tends to break the string of the trimmer.
• If your tool isn’t made for edging, then don’t force it to work at the edges of the lawn forcefully. Using a product against its capabilities could not only result in breaking the string, but it could also damage the head of the trimmer.

Take good care of the product and do timely maintenance so that the wear and tear of the product doesn’t let the string become vulnerable to easy breaking