How to Load String on a Craftsman 25cc Trimmer

On this page (10 sections)

1. What you need before you load Craftsman 25cc trimmer string
2. How do you remove the old spool from a Craftsman 25cc trimmer?
3. How do you wind the line onto the spool?
4. How do you thread the line through the eyelets?
5. How do you put the spool and cover back on?
6. How do you feed the line after loading?
7. Why does new line break, jam or feed unevenly?
8. What line should you use in a Craftsman 25cc trimmer?
9. How do you keep the trimmer cutting well between loads?
10. The short version of loading Craftsman 25cc trimmer string

How to load Craftsman 25cc trimmer string: wind the new line onto the spool in the direction the arrows show, thread both ends through the eyelets, and seat the spool back on the shaft. Then bump the head until the line trims level at the cutoff blade.

The whole job takes about ten minutes once you have the right gauge. A Craftsman 25cc trimmer runs 0.080-inch line, so grab a spool of that size before you start.

What you need before you load Craftsman 25cc trimmer string

You need 0.080-inch trimmer line, a clean work surface, and a few minutes with the trimmer switched off. Most Craftsman 25cc models use a split spool that comes apart into two halves.

Set the trimmer on a bench or a flat patch of driveway so the head is easy to reach. Have a rag handy to wipe grass clippings out of the spool housing.

If your trimmer uses a pre-wound spool, you skip the winding step and just fit the new spool. Most 25cc models use a bump-feed head with a split spool you refill yourself.

Check the head for a sticker with the line size. It matters: a 0.095-inch line can bind in a head built for 0.080-inch line.

Line gauge is measured in thousandths of an inch, so 0.080 means eight hundredths. That is thin enough to spin freely on a small engine but still holds up to grass and light weeds.

Anything heavier asks more of the 25cc motor than it can give at full speed.

How do you remove the old spool from a Craftsman 25cc trimmer?

Press in the tabs on the spool cover, lift the cover off, and pull the spool straight up. Some models have a bump knob you unscrew counterclockwise instead.

Clean the housing before you go further. Clippings packed around the spool stop it turning freely and cause feed problems later.

Look at how the old line sits in the spool before you pull it out. That shows you which direction the new line should wind.

Set the cover and bump knob aside where they won't roll away. A small tray keeps the parts together while you work.

If the spool feels stuck, rock it gently rather than prying with a screwdriver. A pry bar can crack the plastic hub or bend the shaft, and neither part is cheap to replace.

How do you wind the line onto the spool?

Split the spool, hook one end of the line into the notch, and wind it evenly in the direction the arrow points. Fill it until the line sits about 1/4 inch below the rim.

Most split spools hold two lengths of line, one in each half. Wind each half separately and keep both lengths close to equal.

Keep the wind tight and even as you go. Crossed or loose coils bind against each other and stop the bump feed from working.

Leave a few inches of line free at each end to thread through the eyelets. Snip the ends at an angle so they slide through more easily.

A good habit is to hold tension with your thumb as you wind. Let the line go slack and it stacks up in one spot, which is where the first jam will start.

How much line should you put on the spool?

Stop winding when the line sits about 1/4 inch below the spool rim. Overfilling is a common reason line jams the first time you bump the head.

That gap gives the line room to release. Pack it to the rim and the coils press against the cover instead of sliding out through the eyelets.

How do you thread the line through the eyelets?

Feed each line end through its matching eyelet from the inside out. Push the spool down onto the shaft, then pull the ends until they sit in the guide slots.

Match the line to the eyelet on its own side of the spool. Crossing the lines over each other makes the head feed unevenly.

Hold both ends while you seat the spool so they don't pull back inside. The spool should drop down and click into place.

If an end won't go through, trim the tip again at a sharper angle. Frayed line catches on the eyelet edge and bunches up instead of passing through.

How do you put the spool and cover back on?

Slide the spool onto the shaft, press the cover down until the tabs click, and turn the bump knob on if your model has one. Pull the line ends out through the cover eyelets as you go.

Give the spool a spin by hand to check it turns freely. A stiff spool means the line is binding or the spool isn't seated fully.

Check that the cover sits flush all the way around. A cover that isn't clicked in can fly off once the engine runs.

How do you check the load before you start the engine?

Pull each line end by hand and let it snap back. Both ends should move in and out smoothly and land at roughly the same length.

If one side pulls hard or won't return, the winding is crossed on that half. Split the spool and rewind that side before you start the engine.

How do you feed the line after loading?

Start the trimmer, run it at full speed, and tap the bump head on the ground to release line. The cutoff blade on the guard trims the ends to length as they spin.

Tap once and check the length. Keep tapping until both ends reach the blade and the trimmer runs smoothly.

If the line won't feed, stop the engine and check the winding direction. Line wound the wrong way won't release through the eyelets no matter how often you bump.

Tap on bare ground or short grass rather than thick growth. Bumping the head against tall stems pushes the spool up and can jam it against the cover.

Why does new line break, jam or feed unevenly?

Line breaks and jams most often because it's wound the wrong way, crossed on the spool, or too thick for the head. Rewind it neatly and keep both ends equal.

Other causes are real too. Overfilling the spool, packing the housing with clippings, or a spool that isn't seated all the way down all show up as feed trouble.

Damp line can also cause problems. Store your spare spool somewhere dry so the line doesn't take on moisture.

If a jam happens mid-job, switch off and clear the head rather than forcing the bump feed. Forcing it usually makes the tangle worse.

What line should you use in a Craftsman 25cc trimmer?

Use 0.080-inch line, which is the gauge Craftsman 25cc heads are built for. A round line is the standard choice for light trimming around edges and fences.

Thicker line sounds tougher, but it adds drag on a 25cc engine and can jam the spool. Stay with the gauge on the head sticker.

DEWALT's line comes in a 225-foot length at 0.080-inch. That's a long roll for a homeowner, and it cuts down how often you buy replacements.

A 225-foot roll fills a two-length split spool many times over, so one purchase covers a whole season or more of refills. The roll weighs about 8.8 ounces and holds tan line.

Check the exact gauge on your own trimmer head before you order. A different model year can call for a different size.

How do you keep the trimmer cutting well between loads?

Keep the housing clear, store the trimmer dry, and replace the spool when it wears. A clean head feeds line more reliably, and dry storage keeps the line from swelling.

Wipe clippings out of the spool housing whenever you change line. Our guide to how to clean a trimmer covers the full cleaning routine before storage.

When you move to taller growth, change your cutting method as well. The technique in how to cut tall grass and weeds keeps the line from breaking on thick stems.

If you're comparing trimmers before your next purchase, the Craftsman V20 string trimmer review covers a cordless option in the same family. And for a different brand's loading routine, see how to load a Greenworks string trimmer.

The short version of loading Craftsman 25cc trimmer string

The steps are the same every time: split the spool, wind 0.080-inch line in the arrow direction, thread both ends, and click the cover back on. Bump the head until the ends trim level.

The trick is neat winding and the right gauge. Get those two right and the head feeds cleanly for the whole tank of fuel.

Keep a spare spool on hand so a jam never ends your yard work early. Then follow the cleaning steps above to keep the head turning freely all season.

Frequently asked questions

What size trimmer line fits a Craftsman 25cc trimmer?

A Craftsman 25cc straight or curved shaft trimmer takes 0.080-inch line. Check the sticker on the trimmer head or the manual before you buy a spool, since the wrong gauge can jam the head or feed poorly.

Can you load trimmer line without taking the spool apart?

No. You need to split the spool, remove the old line, and wind the new line into the center channel between the two halves.

Some split spools hold two separate line lengths, one in each half.

Why does new line keep breaking or jamming after loading?

Line usually breaks when it is wound the wrong way, crossed over itself, or too thick for the head. Rewind it neatly in the direction the arrows show and keep both ends equal in length.

Should the trimmer be off while you load line?

Yes. Switch the engine off and let the head stop completely before you remove the spool.

A spinning head can cut your hands, and the spark plug should be disconnected for extra safety.