How to Load a DeWalt 20V String Trimmer

On this page (8 sections)

1. What line does a DeWalt 20V string trimmer need?
2. How do you wind line onto the QuickLoad spool?
3. How do you fit the loaded spool back on the trimmer?
4. How do you test the feed after loading?
5. What causes line to jam or break right after loading?
6. How do you keep the spool and feed working well?
7. Which line works best in this trimmer?
8. How to load a DeWalt 20V string trimmer without mistakes

Here's how to load a DeWalt 20V string trimmer: wind 0.080 in line onto the QuickLoad spool, thread the ends through the eyelets, and snap the spool back on. Leave about 6 in on each side and tap the bump head to feed more as you work.

The DCST922B is built around that QuickLoad spool, so reloading is a spool job rather than a full head teardown. The steps below walk through line choice, winding, fitting and the first test run.

What line does a DeWalt 20V string trimmer need?

The DCST922B uses 0.080 in trimmer line. That's the diameter DeWalt specifies for this model, and it's the size the bump feed is set up to handle.

Line diameter matters more than most people expect. A thicker line drags in the spool and can jam the feed, while a thinner line wears through faster and snaps under load.

Staying at 0.080 in keeps the feed smooth and the cut consistent.

You'll also see 0.080 in sold in different lengths. A 225 ft spool lasts a long time on a 14 in trimmer like this one.

If you want the full picture of the trimmer itself before you start, our DeWalt string trimmer 20v review covers the folding hinge, the variable-speed trigger and the Hi/Lo switch.

How do you wind line onto the QuickLoad spool?

Wind the line in the direction the spool arrows show, keeping it snug and even. Loose coils cross over each other and jam the feed later.

Start by removing the spool from the trimmer head. The QuickLoad spool sits under the bump cap on the DCST922B, and the cap comes off with a press and twist.

Take one end of the line and push it through the eyelet on the spool. Then wind the line around the spool in the direction marked on it.

Keep light tension so the coils sit flat against each other rather than bunching.

When you reach the second eyelet, push the end through from the inside. That leaves a short tail on each side of the spool.

Trim both tails to about 6 in so they clear the guard.

If the line keeps slipping out of an eyelet while you wind, hold the first tail with a finger until several coils are down. The friction of the wound line then keeps it in place.

How much line should you wind onto the spool?

Fill the spool only until the wound line sits just below the spool rim. A full spool means fewer reloads, but a spool packed past the rim presses the coils against the housing and makes the bump feed drag.

The 0.080 in diameter is forgiving here because the coils are thin and stack neatly. Keep the winding steady and stop when the line is level with the rim, not heaped above it.

How do you fit the loaded spool back on the trimmer?

Push the spool onto the shaft and turn it until it seats, then refit the bump cap. A spool that isn't fully seated wobbles and won't feed.

Line up the spool with the trimmer head and press it down firmly. Give it a small twist to engage the drive.

On the DCST922B the spool locks in place under the cap, so the cap should turn freely once it's on.

Check that the two line ends hang free of the spool and pass through the slots in the guard. If a tail is trapped under the spool, pull it out before you start the trimmer.

Fit the guard and handle if you took them off for storage or transport. The folding hinge on this model packs the trimmer down by 40% when folded, so the head often comes out of a tight spot before you reload it.

How do you test the feed after loading?

Start the trimmer away from people and walls, then tap the bump head to check that line feeds. A short tap at partial speed is enough for the first test.

Hold the trimmer at a normal cutting height and squeeze the trigger. The head should spin at the speed you selected on the Hi/Lo switch.

Tap the bump cap on the ground while the head turns and watch for a small amount of line to release.

If nothing feeds, the line is probably wound the wrong way or crossed. Pull the spool, unwind it, and wind it again in the marked direction.

If the line feeds too much, it may be sitting loose on the spool; rewind with more tension.

Cut the line to length against the guard's line cutter if your model has one, or snip it with hand pruners. The 14 in cutting swath means each side should reach roughly halfway across the guard.

What causes line to jam or break right after loading?

Wrong diameter, crossed coils and cutting against hard edges are the usual culprits. The fix is usually a rewind with 0.080 in line.

Jams happen when the line is wound against the feed direction. The bump feed pulls line out the way the spool turns, so a spool wound backward feeds slack and tangles inside the head.

Check the arrow on the spool before you start winding.

Breaks come from hitting fences, walls and tree trunks, which friction-burns the line. Cut away from obstacles and let the tip do the work.

A 0.080 in line is thin enough to snap on a hard edge, so keep the head clear of anything solid.

Another cause is overfilling the spool. Pack on more line than the spool holds and the coils press against the housing.

Wind only until the line sits just below the spool rim.

Does cutting tall grass overload the trimmer line?

Thick brush puts more strain on the line than lawn edges do. The DCST922B is built with a brushless motor and a Hi/Lo speed switch, so use the high setting for thick growth and the low setting for normal trimming to manage runtime and line wear.

Take tall grass in passes rather than forcing the head through in one go.

How do you keep the spool and feed working well?

Clean the spool and head after each few uses and store the trimmer with the line relaxed. Dirt packed into the spool eyelets is a common reason the feed gets stiff.

Wipe grass clippings out of the spool housing and the eyelets with a brush or a cloth. Our guide to how to clean a trimmer covers the full routine, including the guard and the air vents.

When the trimmer goes into storage for the season, take the spool off and let the line relax. Line that stays wound under tension for months can take a set and feed unevenly next spring.

Store the spool in a dry spot away from direct sun.

Check the bump cap for cracks as you clean. A cracked cap lets the spool move and makes the feed unreliable.

The DCST922B is sold as a bare tool, so the trimmer, guard and handle are what's in the box; batteries and chargers come separately. The folding hinge also makes storage easier, since the trimmer folds down 40% smaller than its 39 in working length.

Which line works best in this trimmer?

DeWalt's own 0.080 in line is the safe match, but any 0.080 in line wound correctly will feed. Pick based on how much line you go through and how tough your edges are.

The DeWalt 225 ft spool is the straightforward choice for anyone who trims a normal suburban yard. It's the diameter the trimmer expects, and the long spool means fewer reloads.

If you already own another brand's trimmer line in 0.095 in, don't force it into the DCST922B. That thicker size belongs to trimmers built for it.

Our guide to how to load a Greenworks string trimmer covers a different head design if you run a second trimmer.

The EGO line is 0.095 in, so it's the wrong size for this DeWalt head. It suits EGO's 15 in trimmers and multi-head attachments instead.

For a side-by-side of machines that take different line sizes, see our roundup of the best 20V string trimmers.

How to load a DeWalt 20V string trimmer without mistakes

The short version of loading a DeWalt 20V string trimmer: use 0.080 in line, wind it in the marked direction, thread both eyelets, and seat the spool until the cap turns freely. Then tap the bump head to confirm the feed before you trim.

Pick the DeWalt 0.080 in spool if you want the exact match for the DCST922B. Skip the EGO line for this trimmer and save it for an EGO machine.

If you're still deciding on the trimmer itself, read the DeWalt string trimmer 20v review and compare the best 20V models before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

How much line should I leave after loading the spool?

Leave about 6 in of line on each side of the spool before you refit it. The trimmer feeds the rest out when you tap the bump head on the ground.

Why does my DeWalt trimmer line keep breaking?

Line usually breaks when it's the wrong diameter, wound against the feed direction, or trimmed against hard edges like fences and walls. Refit 0.080 in line and cut away from obstacles.

Can I use a different brand of line in a DeWalt trimmer?

Yes, as long as it's 0.080 in diameter. DeWalt's own line matches the trimmer's feed system, but any 0.080 in line wound correctly onto the QuickLoad spool will feed.