Ever felt lost in the world of string trimmer heads? You're not alone! Choosing the right head can be the difference between a quick, easy job and a frustrating afternoon wrestling with tangled lines. Let's explore the different types of trimmer heads and how to pick the perfect one for your needs.

A string trimmer head is the part of your weed whacker that holds and dispenses the cutting line. It's what spins around and slices through grass and weeds. Getting the right head is key. It makes trimming easier, faster, and way less of a headache.

String trimmers can be super annoying, right? Refilling the line can feel like a puzzle, and the line always seems to break at the worst times. Plus, getting the line to feed out smoothly? Forget about it! This guide is here to make those headaches disappear.

The STIHL AutoCut 25-2 is a classic for a reason. It's the standard head on many STIHL trimmers. Landscapers love it because it's reliable and tough.

Key Features:

• Bump feed mechanism
• Holds 33 feet of line

Maintenance Tips:

• Use fresh line. Old line gets brittle and breaks.
• Bump the head before the line gets too short.

Pro Tip: Use a small tool to lock the head. This makes it easy to remove and install. Remember it’s a left-hand thread!

Fixed line heads are another option. They use pre-cut pieces of line that you stick into the head.

Pros:

• Easy to use (no winding!)

Cons:

• You have to replace lines by hand.
• You need to carry extra lines.
• Parts can be harder to find.

Stu suggests trying the STIHL AutoCut 25-2 first. You might like it better than a fixed line head.

Did you know that trimmer line comes in different sizes? You'll see sizes like 0.080, 0.095, and 0.105 inches. These numbers tell you how thick the line is. STIHL also has 0.130 and 0.155 line for tougher jobs.

It's important to use the right size line for your trimmer. If you have a more powerful trimmer like an FS131 or FS240, you can use thicker lines. But don't use thick line on a small trimmer. It can overload the motor.

There's a myth about the STIHL DuroCut 20-2. People think it can only use line up to 0.105 inches thick. But Stu shows that it can handle 0.130 inch line.

However, be careful! Thicker line puts more strain on the trimmer. Only use it if your trimmer is powerful enough.

Practical Tip: Use an old piece of line as a guide. This helps you pre-cut new lines from a spool.

Rotary Speed Feed heads are popular because they're easy to reload. They come in different sizes for different trimmers.

Key Features:

• Quick and easy line reloading
• Universal design

Choosing the Right Size:

• Small head for lower horsepower trimmers
• Large head for commercial trimmers

Check out the Rotary Speed Feed Fast-Loading Trimmer Head - 13377 . Or, take a look at the Rotary Speed Feed Trimmer Head (smaller) 13375 .

Want to put a Rotary Speed Feed head on your STIHL trimmer? Here's how:

1. Take the head apart.
2. Put in the green adapter (it comes with the kit).
3. Put the head back together.
4. Screw it onto the trimmer like the AutoCut 25-2.

Make sure you use the right adapter. That way, it will fit correctly.

Another myth is about how much line Speed Feed heads can hold. The instructions say 10 feet. But Stu found out they can hold way more!

Stu's Findings:

• The big head (475) can hold about 25 feet of line.
• The small head (375) can hold about 15-16 feet.

It's tempting to stuff them full, but it's best to stay within the limits. This helps prevent tangles.

STIHL made the AutoCut 26-2 to compete with speed feed heads. It's easy to reload, just like the Rotary Speed Feed.

Key Features:

• Tap to advance the line
• Easy to load line

It holds around 21 feet of line. Check out the STIHL Auto Cut 26.2 .

The AutoCut 26-2 is designed to be easy to use. It has line guides and a simple reloading system. Stu says it's "dummy-proof." STIHL now ships the FS 56 RCE trimmer with this head.

Need to cut through some serious stuff? The STIHL FixCut 31-2 is for you. It uses thick, pre-cut lines for maximum power.

Key Features:

• Handles the thickest line (up to 0.155 inches)
• Tough build

Installation:

• Remove the bump head.
• Install the FixCut 31-2 with a washer and nut.

Recommended Use:

• For powerful trimmers (FS240, FS131R) on roadside jobs
• Not for small trimmers

Check out the STIHL Fix Cut 31-2 .

The FixCut 31-2 needs about 22.5 inches of line total. About 7 inches should stick out from the head. Always use a trimmer guard for safety. Taking it off can overload the motor.

Practical Tip: Pre-cut a bunch of lines. This way, you can quickly replace them in the field.

The STIHL SuperCut 20-2 feeds line automatically. Main Street Mower staff love it for home use.

Key Features:

• No bumping needed
• Prevents wasted line

Stu says he can trim ferns for 15 minutes without bumping! The head releases line as it wears down. This keeps the line at the right length. Check out the STIHL Super Cut 20-2 .

Refilling the SuperCut 20-2 is easy:

1. Press the button to release the spool.
2. Wind two lines onto the spool.
3. Clip the ends of the line into the slots.
4. Put the spool back in.

Any orientation of the spool will work. Make sure the line is around the "coat hanger" ears.

There are many trimmer heads to choose from. Think about:

• What kind of work you do
• How much power your trimmer has
• How easy it is to use
• How much line it holds
• How tough it is
• How much it costs

Weigh the pros and cons of each head. This will help you make the right choice.

Keep your trimmer head in good shape. Clean it, install the line right, and use the right size line. Check for wear and tear. Good maintenance makes it last longer.

There are even more trimmer heads out there. We talked about the most popular ones. But do some research! Find what works best for you.

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you choose the right string trimmer head.

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