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Author Topic: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads  (Read 7208 times)

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Offline paceman

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whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« on: December 22, 2016, 06:29:07 AM »
hi all,

i have a kawasaki KBL-27A whipper snipper (straight shaft) and the head is starting to show its age (over 10 years of faithful service)...

i see the 'speed feed' heads are very popular now.

i was wondering if anyone has an experience with these types of replacement heads and if they prefer a particular brand, or are there different types?

i normally use trailblazer 2.4mm line...

any thoughts appreciated.

« Last Edit: December 22, 2016, 06:31:22 AM by paceman »
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Offline trevc

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2016, 06:56:31 AM »
Hey Pace

I mow lawns for a living and they are great. I also use TB 2.4 and will refeed mine up to 5 times a day. Takes all of 30s.
I do go through a few covers as they wear with a bit of abuse
Not sure of brand but I replaced one the day, was 50 bucks.

Trev
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Offline paceman

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2016, 06:58:15 AM »
Quote from: trevc on December 22, 2016, 06:56:31 AM
Hey Pace

I mow lawns for a living and they are great. I also use TB 2.4 and will refeed mine up to 5 times a day. Takes all of 30s.
I do go through a few covers as they wear with a bit of abuse
Not sure of brand but I replaced one the day, was 50 bucks.

Trev

thanks, mate...

so if i grabbed one from a reputable mowing shop, that would be suitable enough brand-wise?
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Offline VKPrado

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2016, 07:08:06 AM »
I have a Stihl branded one on my bent shaft line trimmer and in the 20 years of owning it I am only onto my second head. The nut on the bottom wears out from "bumping" it to feed the line out.

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Offline paceman

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2016, 07:12:47 AM »
Quote from: VKPrado on December 22, 2016, 07:08:06 AM
I have a Stihl branded one on my bent shaft line trimmer and in the 20 years of owning it I am only onto my second head. The nut on the bottom wears out from "bumping" it to feed the line out.

the nut on mine is wearing out as well, but so are the plastic tabs and edging on the inside...

thought i would kill two birds with one stone...
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Offline kylarama

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2016, 07:23:23 AM »
Shindaiwa Speed Feed Bump Head.

https://www.allmowerspares.com.au/shindaiwa-large-speed-feed-450-head-universal-lh-with-arbours-28820-08000-28820-08001.html

Comes in 2 sizes 375 and 450 and has a few different arbors to fit different brands.

The plastic head eventually wears out and is replaceable for around $8.

I go through a fair amount of wire due rocks and wire fences around my place. I usually cut two 3.5m rolls in my back pocket and spool on as required. Takes all of 10 seconds.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

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Offline Bird

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2016, 07:45:21 AM »
Has anyone ever fitted up wire or similar instead of the 'lasted 2 seconds' nylon?
I spend more time winding new Shit on than mowing the ****in lawn.
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Offline paceman

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2016, 07:49:03 AM »
Quote from: Bird on December 22, 2016, 07:45:21 AM
Has anyone ever fitted up wire or similar instead of the 'lasted 2 seconds' nylon?
I spend more time winding new Shit on than mowing the ****in lawn.

like i said, i mainly use trailblazer 2.4mm and it's really good.  hard-wearing against rocks and fences...

if you want to use wire, you may as well fit a blade and be done with it... :)
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Offline rags

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #8 on: December 22, 2016, 08:51:27 AM »
I've been using the same uniclick brand for about 10 years now. Simple set up. Just feed the wire into the head and off you go, carry a few spares in the pocket for when needed.
http://www.eurolux-australia.com.au/uniclik

Been thinking of getting this type for a second machine that I use with a blade to clear the scrub
http://www.weedwakka.com.au
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Offline Bird

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #9 on: December 22, 2016, 09:00:52 AM »
Quote from: paceman
you may as well fit a blade and be done with it... :)
sounds like a plan... I'll look into them
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Offline paceman

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #10 on: December 22, 2016, 10:26:37 AM »
well, just got a speed-feed head fitted, so we'll see how it goes... :)
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Offline Jeepers Creepers

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #11 on: December 22, 2016, 02:30:46 PM »
Quote from: Bird on December 22, 2016, 07:45:21 AM
Has anyone ever fitted up wire or similar instead of the 'lasted 2 seconds' nylon?
I spend more time winding new Shit on than mowing the ****in lawn.

Try putting on about 3 metres at a time and not a couple of inches, ya tightwad.
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Offline tracker

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #12 on: December 22, 2016, 02:46:28 PM »
Quote from: Jeepers Creepers on December 22, 2016, 02:30:46 PM
Try putting on about 3 metres at a time and not a couple of inches, ya tightwad.


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Offline paceman

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #13 on: December 23, 2016, 07:23:09 AM »
got to try out the new speed-feed head for a couple of hours yesterday...

worked a treat, with the trailblazer 2.4mm line...

one thing i noticed is that the bump mechanism is pretty sensitive.  i went over some tree roots fairly lightly and it proceeded to let out cord... :)

no biggie, just something to get used to....
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Offline kylarama

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #14 on: December 23, 2016, 08:21:48 AM »
Quote from: paceman on December 23, 2016, 07:23:09 AM
got to try out the new speed-feed head for a couple of hours yesterday...

worked a treat, with the trailblazer 2.4mm line...

one thing i noticed is that the bump mechanism is pretty sensitive.  i went over some tree roots fairly lightly and it proceeded to let out cord... :)

no biggie, just something to get used to....
Yes the rate of line used increases dramatically. Especially while getting used to it, but you'll never go back.

What brand did you end up getting?

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

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Offline paceman

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #15 on: December 23, 2016, 08:38:59 AM »
Quote from: kylarama on December 23, 2016, 08:21:48 AM
Yes the rate of line used increases dramatically. Especially while getting used to it, but you'll never go back.

What brand did you end up getting?

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

not sure of the brand... it was the one that the local mower place had and i trust them... :)
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Offline terravista

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #16 on: January 06, 2017, 07:52:13 PM »
I fitted a speed feeder onto a Shindaiwa  trimmer, but it sits out a long way from the trimmer and keeps falling off.
To fit it I had to add a double ended bolt onto the trimmer and another threaded accessory to the speed head.
Any hints on why it would fall off, or should I try thread lock?
Cheers
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Offline Cruiser 105Tvan

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #17 on: January 06, 2017, 09:02:26 PM »
The direction of the thread on the bolt and the inside of the head are the wrong one.
If it spins to the right past 1200 position as you look down the shaft at the back of the speed head, it should be tightening the speed head onto the bolt.
The turning of the shaft should be forcing the bolt into the speed head.
Conversely, if the shaft and speed head spin the other direction when operating, the thread has to be opposite the first example.
Anything the speed head does, hitting weeds, should help tighten it.

Unless some one else has a better idea.
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Offline terravista

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #18 on: January 07, 2017, 06:23:43 AM »
Quote from: Cruiser 105Tvan on January 06, 2017, 09:02:26 PM
The direction of the thread on the bolt and the inside of the head are the wrong one.
If it spins to the right past 1200 position as you look down the shaft at the back of the speed head, it should be tightening the speed head onto the bolt.
The turning of the shaft should be forcing the bolt into the speed head.
Conversely, if the shaft and speed head spin the other direction when operating, the thread has to be opposite the first example.
Anything the speed head does, hitting weeds, should help tighten it.

Unless some one else has a better idea.


I had that thought but each of the bolts and the speed feeder all screw on as a left hand thread the same way the original bump feeder went.
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Offline tryagain

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #19 on: January 07, 2017, 09:46:26 PM »
Quote from: terravista on January 06, 2017, 07:52:13 PM
I fitted a speed feeder onto a Shindaiwa  trimmer, but it sits out a long way from the trimmer and keeps falling off.
To fit it I had to add a double ended bolt onto the trimmer and another threaded accessory to the speed head.
Any hints on why it would fall off, or should I try thread lock?
Cheers

Maybe a pic might shed some more light on it, most Shindaiwa's come with a speed feed on them from factory so should work.
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Offline tryagain

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Re: whipper snipper 'speed feed' heads
« Reply #20 on: January 07, 2017, 09:52:53 PM »
Quote from: Bird on December 22, 2016, 07:45:21 AM
Has anyone ever fitted up wire or similar instead of the 'lasted 2 seconds' nylon?
I spend more time winding new Shit on than mowing the ****in lawn.

Yep, a few times when I have been caught without any cord, lasts for about 1/100 of the time of brushcutter cord. Get some decent cord (minimum of 2.4mm) and a speed feed head and life will be easier.
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