weed whacker string melts in spool.

[glennster]

ok so i have a couple string trimmers, stihl fs 90r and a smaller homelite. occasionally the string will ?melt? together in the head and wont feed. i am
running stihl line. maybe some wd40 or something when spooling new line?

 

[Steve@Advance]

I had that happen a few times, been many years ago.

Seems I went with a different type/brand line and it stopped. I've found running the largest line that will fit the head works best. Also hear the line has a shelf life, if it's several years old that may contribute.

Best I remember it was associated with trimming around chain link fence when the line would get jerked from tangling in the fence wire.

 

[guido]

Hello glennster,

Not much to do with the string. Wrapping it around a fence post usually does it. Even a sloppy string winding will do it,

Guido.

 

[circus]

I've found winding new line too neatly causes it to bind. Reline the spool sloppily.

 

[Janicholson]

A shot of Teflon spray like Tri-flo will help some. If really melting, I would make sure the lower bearing is not getting hot. Jim

 

[TimV]

No first-hand knowledge but I was just reading through an old manual on a Homelite trimmer I was given and it recommended silicone spray for that same problem.

 

[DoubleO7]

Seems all that have replied (except Jan) think Glenn said binding.
He did not.
So maybe as Jan said, maybe bearing getting too hot. I have had them hot enough I needed gloves to get more string out or put more in.
If the string is a low hydrometer it might also be low melt temperature stuff.

Maybe it is the new California stuff made out of red licorice laces so the cut off pieces are biodegradable.

 

[glennster]

the bearing doesn't get hot to the touch. what happens is the string will cross over string below it, and at that cross point it melts together and will not
feed. i have had my fs90r do it and my little bent shaft homelite. its almost like where the string crosses it rubs and creates friction and melts at that
point. i will get some pics next time it happens.

 

[john in la]

Let me see if I can explain this as I do not understand the technology behind it myself.

I have the same problem with both of my Echo trimmers.
My dealer said it is not melting.
It is welding itself just like welding plastic with sound.
No heat involved. Used some fancy word I can not remember.
Told me not to wrap the string on the spool.
That twist the line.
Let the string hang and wrap the spool on the string.

It is caused by constant high speed and the ringing of the line as it hits a hard surface.
They say the non round line is better to use but it is not a great problem for me.
I just do what I can to prevent it and live with the times it still happens.

 

[TomR Ont]

glennster

From my experience if the head gets too hot the line will
melt together where they cross.

The best line I have found, is 0.95 "TITANIUM FORCE"
Trimmer line by Husqvarna. It won't cut down the trees
but you will be surprised, how long it lasts.

DON'T FORGET TO OIL THE HEAD EVERY USE.
I have had years of using white, red green this one looks small but beats them all.

 

[Tramway Guy]

Did the dealer say ?ultrasonic welding??

 

[john in la]

Yes Tramway Guy
That's it.

 

[T.R.K.]

One thing I have found is don't put all the string on the spool it will hold. If you limit your line to 12 or 14 ft. It won't weld together as frequently. I run Echo cross-fire When I buy it, or whatever Dad buys at Lowes that I can sneak out of the basement.

 

[glennster]

john, i think you hit the nail on the head. it does look like it welds itself to the line under it when it crosses.

 

[kencombs]

1st option; change line brands. Some are much worse than others.
2nd option; Change spools. I installed a new head that reloads while installed on the trimmer. No need to remove spool to load. Just turn the inner part until the hole lines up with the outer piece. cut a 12' piece of line and stick it through until the spool in in the middle of the line. Hold the outside while turning the center. Done. I haven't had the welding issue since installing those.

 

[r.w.b.]

My neighbor works at a sthil shop said shelf life.but said dont mention to his boss,they gouge city folk.
Anyhow changed to new fresh line and mine feeds fine

 

[WESnIL]

If you can find it and your head will accept it (You may have to drill out the hole for the line.) go to .105" line. I did and will never go back to a smaller diameter line. It also seems to help to soak the line in water for 12 to 24 hours before your expected time to use it. With the local weather you may want to put that project on the back burner for a little while.

 

[Mule Meat]

Are you using multi edge (star, triangle, square) or twisted line? That so called wonder is nothing but trouble. I have yet to see any of it that will not fuse itself on the spool.

That type of stuff is all our local hardware and Husqvarna dealer sale in bulk. They have those little 50-75 ft packages of round line that I rufuse to pay $6 or7 dollars for. So I order 5 lb rolls of round .080 or .95 line that cost less than $25 per spool. It rarely ever welds in the spool no matter how you wrap it. Chain link fences, concrete foundations, side walks, heavy weeds. Nothing seems to effect its preformance.

I use Husqvarna T35 heads on my Echo SRM280S. Best heads I have found yet. I can not stand the Echo "easy loader" heads for they are so heavy and makes a trimmer so unbalanced that they wear you out trimming.