I need a damn good trimmer head for the Stihl FS130, FS350, and FS550

[Bill G]

I know this might not be the right spot for this thread but I am not sure exactly where to put it. I am sick of dealing with junk string trimmer heads. I have a Stihl FS130, FS350, and FS550 that I want to be able to use string heads on. Yes I know the 550 is best suited to a blade which is fine but I still need a damn good string head for the others. I have a Stihl 26-2 head on the FS130 now but the thing keeps jamming, even with .095. I am cutting heavy grass and small broadleaves. I am so sick of spending time tearing it apart. There is no way that is what folks that do landscaping for a business have to go through all day. I should be able to go through 100ft or more of line without issue. Of course that is with refills. What are others using?

 

[Partner]

I once had such a strong spring in Al-ko that the pipe couldn't withstand impacts on the ground / it was only 1" / Now I use heads P35 Partner Macculloch no problems

 

[Bill G]

I have no issues with the trimmers themselves. I have issues with finding a string head that will feed without jammining

 

[Wonkydonkey]

I rarely have problems with any trimmer head & line
I think it’s mostly down to the way i put the line on. ?

If you put it on loose and uneven, your get it jamming !

Put it on tight and level as you can, it should be good to go

That’s My 2c

 

[Bill G]

I rarely have problems with any trimmer head & line
I think it’s mostly down to the way i put the line on. ?

If you put it on loose and uneven, your get it jamming !

Put it on tight and level as you can, it should be good to go

That’s My 2c

Well the 26-2 is a autoload

 

[Partner]

Take the heads apart and wind the line as your friend writes

 

[Boomer2230]

I use the biggest trimmer head stihl offers for my FS560C. And I use the 3 color square type cutting string.

The 560 is a wicked weed wacker when you have a foot of line out.

 

[GMB74]

Wrap your string as tightly and evenly as you can. Don't criss-cross the wraps.
Try the 3- color square line.
Soak it in water overnight first.
I have had good luck doing these things.
If your head is very old and/or worn, it may be time for a new one. It is only plastic and gets really beaten up down there on the ground.
It doesn't want to feed properly when the plastic gets deformed.
I also have had good luck with the Echo Speed Feed 400 heads.

 

[atpchas]

The Speed-Feed 450 is my trimmer head of choice.

 

[Sloughfoot]

My 4 stroke Honda trimmer came with the kind of head you precut string to length and stick them in a hole that cam locks. I prefer it over auto feed. Noticed most if not all of the lawn service crews in the area use this type as well. My little battery Makita auto feed works well, but it takes me forever to remember how to wind it. Intermittent dyslexia or something.

 

[Partner]

The Speed-Feed 450 is my trimmer head of choice.

Be careful because there are different fakes and different prices / how much does the original cost?

 

[atpchas]

Be careful because there are different fakes and different prices / how much does the original cost?

That's true. Some of the knockoffs are usable, most are not. The real ones can be had for around $40 each.

 

[Brad Button]

I always used the Stihl 25-2 heads and never had any problems. Like someone else mentioned it sounds like it is how you are winding your line. You have to take your time, don't overload the head, and keep tension on the line as you are winding it. I don't know if Stihl has the 25-2 heads anymore, but They are out there. https://www.amazon.com/4002-710-2191-AutoCut-Stihl/dp/B000O3HJ20

 

[Partner]

I always used the Stihl 25-2 heads and never had any problems. Like someone else mentioned it sounds like it is how you are winding your line. You have to take your time, don't overload the head, and keep tension on the line as you are winding it. I don't know if Stihl has the 25-2 heads anymore, but They are out there. https://www.amazon.com/4002-710-2191-AutoCut-Stihl/dp/B000O3HJ20

I had 2 different replacements for this spool, both of them worked until I sawed through the line guides, maybe the spring is a bit soft but I only mow gently after the mower.

 

[president]

Wrap your string as tightly and evenly as you can. Don't criss-cross the wraps.
Try the 3- color square line.
Soak it in water overnight first.
I have had good luck doing these things.
If your head is very old and/or worn, it may be time for a new one. It is only plastic and gets really beaten up down there on the ground.
It doesn't want to feed properly when the plastic gets deformed.
I also have had good luck with the Echo Speed Feed 400 heads.

T!

 

[David Boyd]

Speed Feed

 

[RCBS]

Been using these same heads for 15 years. Line wrap doesn't need to be precise. Can count on one hand how many times I've had feeding issues with them. I burn trhough ~300' of line a year, non-commercially. Manual spooled. Takes all of 90 seconds. Don't fill them completely and they will feed perfectly. Echo crossfire line is currently used.

 

[beaglebriar]

Another vote for Speed Feed. They’re super simple and dead reliable….no effing around.

 

[Bill G]

Years ago I had a speed feed on a Husky. I do not remember how well it worked.

 

[Catbuster]

Autocut 40-2, 46-2 or 40-4 with 4 lines if you really want to put a hurting on some grass.

They’re designed to run bigger (and more) line than the smaller heads. I’ve run 25-2, 30-2 and 40-2 on my FS 130. The 40-2 I loaded with .130 square line and it fed it without problem. I see there’s a 46-2, which I presume supersedes the 40-2 in the same way the 26-2 has the 25-2.