The automatic string feeder works by using centrifugal force that feeds approximately 1/4 inch of string everytime you start it. There us a little catch lever under the spool that stops more string from being fed out. Make sure that it is kept clean and moves freely. Do not oil. Because it will become tacky and attract dirt. Making it stick When you insert the loaded spool make sure it clicks and is fully seated. You know it is seated when you pull the string and it does not feed out. Put the orange cover back on. Trim the string to the length of the cutter with scissors or a knife. Now, here is the secret. 1) When you start the trimmer run it as long per start as possible. 2) Don't start and stop it over and over in short bursts 3) always bring the trimmer up to full speed. 4) if the line breaks off short but is still exposed start and stop in short burst a few times them go to full speed. This will get the line to correct length. 5) everytime you change the line make sure the lever arm under the spool moves freely. 6) do not wind the spool too tight this causes line to stick and not feed. 7) do not over fill spool. 8) remember starting or stopping too much and not getting up to full speed and keeping it there while in use causes too much line to feed Good luck!
Nice video although you don't have to take out the screw to remove the string mechanism (this is also mentioned in the manual). I hate this particular trimmer. Mine has never worked correctly. After a couple minutes of use the lines will break from inside the box. Because all the tension is gone when you take off the orange piece to retrieve the line, the line becomes unraveled. So it becomes a ten minute job to rewind the line and start over. I thought I was doing something wrong when loading new line which is why I was watching this video. This video just confirmed that I was doing everything right. The trimmer is just a poorly designed piece of junk. Thank you for letting me rant. I do appreciate your clear instructions.
GourmetPaperMache I had the same problems with this unit. In addition, the line gets stuck and melted to itself in the spool and won't feed out. My guess is that we cannot wind the spool as evenly as the factory so the line gets stuck. In addition, it seems like storing the trimmer in a cooler place (not my tool shed), prevents the line from melting to itself as much. This unit is normally very frustrating to use because you have to stop every minute to rewind the spool after the line breaks inside.
While this trimmer has tremendous power, I agree that the line feed system was very poorly designed. Do they not test these things BEFORE sending them to market. I bought mine, reconditioned, from one of their outlet stores, which were all shut down several years ago. I called B&D to complain about the line always getting jambed, and she sent me that new lever thingy that you see below the spool, and a new line of string for free. After replacing the lever, the trimmer fed the string much better, but the line still jambs up at some point. Maybe the trimmer is too powerful. Replacement spools are expensive as hell. Buying just the line and spooling it on yourself is the way to go. I wish I could find a new head to put on this trimmer that will eliminate all these problems.
Many thanks to Geoff Brown for going to all the trouble of creating and posting this video. For those of us who didn't hang on to our owner's manuals, this video is a real life saver,
Very well done! Now I know the trick of stringing the 1100--it will save lots of frustration. I still prefer my single string and am constantly looking for that model that is NOT battery operated. I bet the gentleman that took the time to put this together is a great guy and a very nice neighbor! I am sure he helps other people in many ways.
This video is perfect. Well explained and easy to follow. I cut weeds like a champ afterwards without the string breaking every five seconds. Thanks for posing it.
I already knew how to do this, but your video is still good. You do not have to remove the screw. i was watching hoping you could show something that made this POS useful and work properly. But, NO- it is still a POS and still either breaks and must respool every 5 feet or it feeds all the line out tangles or shreds to pieces, so still going in the trash. Do NOT buy this junk!
+karin jared I bought mine a couple of years ago as I am now a widow and my husband did the weedeating. I could not handle the heavy gas one we had. It is always running out of line and I wish I had never bought it. The manual is so hard to understand so I am hoping the video will help. If not I am gonna put it on the road and let someone else have the headache!!
Using the next bigger (.095 I think) line keeps it from feeding out too fast. I've had mine four or five years and have abused it and still works awesome. Just the line issues.
You just saved my life - my mood & my bank account. An excellent explanation. Why can't B&D not do that? I sent 2 messages to them asking for help and got none. Miserable company. But my tool works thanks to you
May 2024, thank you Mr. Brown! I hope you are doing well and enjoying spring...God bless you and thank you for making this easy to follow tutorial with fantastic music! 😊
Thanks for your video! This was the only video that has my exact Grass Hog and the only one that reminded me about the screw. I had taken it out and forgotten, as well as the only one who taught me that I can't use the blue line. I must have gone through 30 yds and many a cuts on my shins from the wrong line!
I just purchased one of these trimmers at a yard sale; your video (including the tip about the recall) was very helpful in getttng me up and running with my new trimmer - thanks!
Sir, you have my respects for this great informative video I barely discovered here on you tube, I have been looking for replacement parts for this weed eater, but it has been hard for me to find them, I need the trimmer head assembly, Mine only has the outer housing I got it back that way when I got it back from my neighbor after I loaned it to him it has been so hard to find parts for it and it’s a really good weed eater
The manual says the center screw does not have to be removed to replace the line. Check this link: www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/eb/eb5e913f-bd91-4479-ad9d-c883550d4262.pdfLook under clearing jams and tangled lines. Section number 3. On my GH1000 you just remove the orange cap and then pull on the line spool. The spool will come out without removing the center screw.
Mine has no screw holding the spool in. :-O Or, if it does, I just pop the spool out without removing the screw, as the man mentioned below. I always trim the line once the spool is in. Don't let the trimmer do it while it's running, or you get hit by shrapnel. Ouch!
Nice job explaining. I did this last season and could not remember what I did and of course the manual (which never was much help) was nowhere to be found. The tip that was most helpful was after the screw is out you can give the spool a little nudge with a screwdriver as a lever. Also the blue "paint" on the screw is actually thread lock to keep the screw secure. I might put a little Amsoil or similar silicone spray on the housing in lieu of oil or WD40 as it is a little more compatible with plastic. I loved hearing the birds in the background of your recording. You did an excellent job - Thanks!!!! from rural near Homer, Alaska.
The string is designed to come out when there are acceleration changes. So don't keep letting go of the trigger and be careful around posts and concrete. I've had mine 9 years. Also, make sure the top clicks on or it will fly off. Sometimes it feels on but hasn't clicked in yet. I have a 5th of an acre yard.
I wish more people could make instructional videos like yours. Yours is at a perfect pace and you zoom in at the appropriate times. I've had my GH1000 weedwacker for several years, and still could not spool it correctly. I dreaded using the device as I knew I'd likely have to go to battle with it before I completed my yard work. Now, thanks to your video, I am able to re-spool it with ease!
thank you. that was super helpful. now I don't have to wait for my husband to come home to show me and then feel silly. I've done it many times on other models, but am glad to know what I'm doing and not feel worried that I will break it just by trying to figure it out on my own.
Thanks for posting this. I didn't know how to properly do it! The GH1100 (what I've got) is the same exact trimmer as the GH1000, so you might as well change the title to reflect this. A word of advice, the regular spool that you get from Black and Decker is really flimsy, cheap and you'll run out of it quickly. I've found the .080 green commercial cord from Ace hardware is far more durable. It's not completely round (like a hexagon with diagonal corners). It doesn't break off anything like the B&D cord does.
thanks....thought I was out of cord and found it was originally wrapped wrong! have enough left for the double wrap & finish my project.... gotta love RU-vid...! thanks Mr 2288
Dawn Kladerman kick all the plastic off make a round peace off aluminium drill a hole in it so the original bold fits en drill 2 opposite holes from 4 mill en stuff a 3.3 mill filament from a professional trimmer, make a not in the middle, en even earth will be removed.
You are right. Some people have pointed out that fact. Sorry if it caused any inconvenience.If you have taken the screw out, please put it back and move to the next step. The manufacturers put on a blue lock-tight glue to hold it in place, but I always like to test these things.
I like the GH1000 but had to retire it since the string would not feed properly. Replaced the ratchet arm but the string feeds out too fast now. I'm restringing my spools but they either tangle or feed to much at a time. Any suggestions
Thanks for the good instruction. Important thing I learned was making sure the spool clicks into place. I think I wasn’t doing that, so it wasn’t feeding.
