Strimmer bump feed

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sun Jun 09, 2019 10:37 am

I have just had to replace my petrol McCulloch strimmer which had given me good service for over 20 years. I decided to get another one and bought this one https://www.gardenlines.co.uk/shop/gras ... immer-25cc but I got it for £87 from a supplier in Scotland.

I have found the bump feed is not working as it should, the button depresses okay and I can pull a measured length out with my hands but it will not bump feed in use. Also there is a take down joint on the shaft which keeps undoing as I work. I am sure the string is wound correctly onto the spool (anti clockwise)

Any ideas, I must have got something wrong? I was thinking of some PTFE on the joint thread to keep it tight.

Thanks

DWD

Dave54 · Post by **Dave54** » Sun Jun 09, 2019 10:55 am

As long as the line's on all right, right size, and it feeds by hand, are you using enough revs when you "bump" it?
Not "flat out" but above tickover.
Centrifugal force pulls the line out.
Otherwise any bits of plastic "flashing" etc, on the "teeth" of the dog clutch inside head?
(More like splines in mine)

London mike 61 · Post by **London mike 61** » Sun Jun 09, 2019 11:04 am

I don’t use the strimmer on my garden multi tool that often but sometimes the cutting line gets sort of sticky where it clings to the spool of line if it is wound on a bit too tight.
I have been known to spray the line spool with a spray oil to help stop it sticking, not a lot mind you but just a quick squirt.
If it’s a mechanical fault then you tube is your friend or maybe the supplier might be helpful.

Mike

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Sun Jun 09, 2019 11:53 am

I've got a sthil combi strimmer and to be honest the bump feed doesn't work moretimes than it does. I tend to pull it out by hand as a rule now. If nothing else it comes out to the length I want with no wastage. I keep my SAK in my pocket to wip the head apart when the line breaks and I've nothing to pull out.
One other thing and it'll probably make me sound a complete tight arse but I did used to get annoyed when the last six inches of line would come out and be wasted . I quickly worked out that I could put those pieces into a cable connector and there was space inside the head for it to fit allowing me to use all those little bits.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sun Jun 09, 2019 12:05 pm

I salute your parsimony G, that is very thrifty

I only have a few turns on the spool as I thought it might be a tight wind issue. There are no obvious snags on the spool or housing but the button is stiffer than the old one. I wonder if this needs a good WD40'ing? I will have another play with it.

I did not realise how many times I bump it in use. I might try a heavier string, it is currently 2mm.

Thanks for the advice

DWD

Dave54 · Post by **Dave54** » Sun Jun 09, 2019 12:44 pm

Mine's a Tanaka.
You don't need any tools to take the spool off, or change the line.
It still misses the odd bump though. So I often end up doing it manually, the same as it was with the old McCulloch I had.
I'm never quite sure whether, with the time spent messing with small garden machinery, you actually save any time having them!
What I will say is that these days I run them on "Aspen" fuel, which you don't have to drain, and the various bits of kit seem to start straight off.
The fuel's expensive though! (But then you don't use much really unless you're at it all day every day)

That's very good of you using those last bits of line Grendel. I think I'll keep on chucking mine in the bin though!

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:23 am

dewaltdisney wrote:I salute your parsimony G, that is very thrifty

DWD

And I ,sir , salute your command of the English language.

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:28 am

Just so you know I think Aldi deal in Gardenline stuff so if you need any parts you can contact Aldi.

I had a similar thing with a strimmer a few years ago and I bought an attachment that does away with the bump feed. It's a metal thing that you self feed the line into. It's far better. I'll try and remember what it's called.

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:33 am

I just spotted this. Any good to you?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/McCulloch-St ... Sw0oFcv3Yf

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:35 am

This is the thing I bought years ago. This must be the updated model.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/111110-Univers ... way&sr=8-2

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNIVERSAL-MA ... SwK9Vc2Xr1

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 8:17 am

Thanks for those links A. I am a bit loathe to mess around too much as it is still in warranty, only 2 months old, and if I cannot sort it I will get in touch with McCulloch.

Thanks all for the advice,

DWD

sammy.se · Post by **sammy.se** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 11:40 am

Not sure if this is any help, in this specific situation, but a friend of mine now only used cable ties instead of the string. He says it lasts longer and is cheaper... Just FYI

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 7:07 am

Interesting the idea of using cable ties sammy. Thanks for that I may have to give it a try. I brought a large spool of 2mm line which is working out not to expensive but being on the frugal side...
I did once run out of line and having nothing else to hand used a piece of washing line , the plastic covered nylon type of stuff which worked ok but doesn't last that long. I tried using short lengths of nylon cord which again worked but wore quite quickly. One thing I would add is not to use wire . A google brings up cases of injuries from people using it. It wears , breaks and shoots out little needle like pieces at considerable speed.

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Thu Jun 27, 2019 7:25 am

Well funny how things go . The return spring on the pull cord went the other week meaning that I could start the strimmer but had to dismantle it and manually wind it back in. Still usable but slowed things down although I've now replaced it. As I said I tended to manually pull out the line but having to go through that rigmarole to restart I thought "try out the bump feed" and found that it's been working fine.