How to Restring a Makita Weed Eater? XRU Series Reload

Introduction

Makita’s XRU series cordless weed eaters are a favorite among DIY gardeners and professional landscapers alike for their reliable performance, long battery life, and easy maintenance. One of the most routine upkeep tasks you’ll need to perform to keep your tool running at its best is replacing the trimmer line when it wears down, breaks, or stops feeding properly. If you’ve been wondering How to Restring a Makita Weed Eater? you’re in the right place: this comprehensive guide walks you through every step of the process, from gathering the right tools to troubleshooting common issues, specifically tailored to the XRU series’ unique bump-feed trimmer head design. Restringing your Makita weed eater takes less than 10 minutes once you get the hang of it, and it will save you the cost of replacing the entire trimmer head while keeping your cutting performance consistent.

Table of Contents

• Why Restring Your Makita Weed Eater?
• Key Components of the Makita XRU Series Trimmer Head
• Tools and Materials You’ll Need
• Safety Precautions to Follow
• Step-by-Step Guide to Restringing a Makita XRU Weed Eater
  • Removing the Old Trimmer Line
  • Preparing the New Trimmer Line
  • Loading the New Line into the Trimmer Head
  • Reassembling and Testing the Trimmer Head
• Pro Tips and Best Practices for Long-Lasting Performance
• Common Mistakes to Avoid When Restringing
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Why Restring Your Makita Weed Eater?

Over time, the trimmer line on your Makita XRU weed eater will wear down from constant contact with grass, weeds, dirt, rocks, and other debris. A worn or damaged line doesn’t just cut less efficiently: it can cause the trimmer motor to work harder, reducing battery life and increasing wear on internal components. Frayed or broken line can also get tangled in the trimmer head, leading to jams that require more extensive repairs if left unaddressed. Restringing your tool regularly is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to extend its lifespan and keep it performing like new. Instead of spending $30 to $50 on a replacement trimmer head assembly, a pack of trimmer line costs less than $10 and takes minutes to install. For anyone who uses their XRU weed eater regularly for lawn care or landscaping, mastering this basic maintenance task is a must.

Key Components of the Makita XRU Series Trimmer Head

Before you start the restringing process, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the parts of the XRU series’ bump-feed trimmer head, so you know exactly what you’re working with. The XRU line uses a semi-automatic bump feed system, meaning line is advanced manually by tapping the bottom of the trimmer head on the ground while the tool is running. The core components of the trimmer head include:

• Trimmer head housing: The outer plastic casing that holds all internal components together and attaches to the bottom of the weed eater shaft.
• Spool: The small plastic reel that holds the trimmer line. It has notches or slots on either side to secure the line ends and a directional arrow indicating which way to wind the line.
• Spool cap: The removable cover that snaps onto the front of the trimmer head to hold the spool in place. It has small openings that the line feeds through during use.
• Bump feed knob: A small protruding button on the bottom of the trimmer head that you tap to advance the line when it’s too short.
• Line outlet holes: Two small slots on the sides of the trimmer head where the line exits during use.

Understanding how these parts work together will make the restringing process far less confusing, especially if you’ve never worked on a string trimmer before.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

Gathering all your supplies before you start will make the restringing process faster and smoother. You won’t need any specialized tools, just a few basic items you likely already have around the house:

• Replacement trimmer line (0.080” / 2.0mm diameter, the standard size for all Makita XRU series weed eaters)
• Work gloves (to protect your hands from sharp line edges)
• Safety glasses (to protect your eyes from flying debris)
• Wire cutters or heavy-duty scissors
• Small flathead screwdriver (optional, for prying off stubborn spool caps)
• Phillips head screwdriver (only required for some older XRU models that have a screw securing the trimmer head)
• Small cleaning brush (to remove built-up grass and debris from the trimmer head)

When choosing replacement line, you can opt for OEM Makita line or high-quality aftermarket options. The table below compares the most common line types compatible with the XRU series to help you pick the best option for your needs:

No matter which line type you choose, make sure it’s exactly 0.080” in diameter: line that’s too thick will jam the trimmer head, while line that’s too thin will slip and not feed properly.

Safety Precautions to Follow

While restringing a weed eater is a low-risk task, taking a few basic safety steps will prevent cuts, eye injuries, and accidental startup of the tool. Follow these precautions before you touch any parts of the trimmer:

1. Power off the tool fully: Turn off the weed eater, then remove the 18V LXT battery from the tool. This eliminates the risk of the trimmer accidentally starting while you’re working on it.
2. Wear protective gear: Put on work gloves to avoid cuts from the sharp edges of new trimmer line, and wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any debris that may be dislodged from the trimmer head.
3. Work on a stable surface: Place the weed eater on a flat workbench or the ground, making sure it won’t tip over while you’re working.
4. Keep children and pets away: Trimmed line and small parts can be choking hazards, so make sure no one else is in the area while you’re working.
5. Don’t force parts: If the spool cap or spool is stuck, use a flathead screwdriver gently to pry it loose rather than using excessive force, which can break plastic components.

Step-by-Step Guide to Restringing a Makita XRU Weed Eater

Once you have your tools and materials ready and you’ve followed all safety precautions, the restringing process is straightforward. If you’ve been searching How to Restring a Makita Weed Eater? follow these steps in order to get your XRU weed eater back up and running in minutes.

Removing the Old Trimmer Line

The first step is to remove the worn or broken line from the trimmer head. Start by turning off the weed eater and removing the battery, then set the tool upside down on a flat surface so the trimmer head is facing up. Locate the spool cap on the front of the trimmer head: it will either twist off counterclockwise or snap off with a firm press, depending on your XRU model. If it’s a twist-on cap, grip it firmly and turn it left until it releases. If it’s a snap-on cap, use the edge of your flathead screwdriver to gently pry it loose if it’s stuck.

Once the cap is removed, pull the old spool straight out of the trimmer head housing. You may need to wiggle it slightly to loosen it from any debris buildup. Cut off any remaining line attached to the spool with your wire cutters, then discard the old line. Use your small cleaning brush to wipe out any grass, dirt, or tangled line fragments from inside the trimmer head housing to ensure the new line feeds smoothly later.

Preparing the New Trimmer Line

Next, you’ll need to cut and prep the new trimmer line to the correct length. Most Makita XRU series weed eaters require 10 to 12 feet of 0.080” diameter line per spool, but check your tool’s user manual if you’re unsure. Measure out the correct length with a tape measure, then cut it cleanly with your wire cutters to avoid frayed edges that can cause jams.

Once you have your cut length of line, find the exact midpoint and fold it in half so both ends are perfectly aligned. You should now have a loop at one end and two even lengths of line hanging down. This midpoint loop is what you’ll secure to the spool in the next step, so make sure it’s centered.

Loading the New Line into the Trimmer Head

Now it’s time to load the prepared line onto the spool. Locate the small slot or notch on the edge of the spool: this is where you’ll insert the midpoint loop of your line. Push the loop firmly into the slot until it clicks into place, so it won’t slip out while you’re winding.

Next, wind the two lengths of line around the spool in the direction indicated by the arrow printed on the top of the spool (almost always clockwise for XRU models). As you wind, keep moderate tension on the line to prevent it from overlapping or tangling on the spool. Wind until there is only 4 to 6 inches of line sticking out from each side of the spool. Do not overfill the spool: excess line will bunch up inside the trimmer head and cause feeding jams.

Reassembling and Testing the Trimmer Head

With the line loaded onto the spool, it’s time to put the trimmer head back together. Align the ends of the line with the two line outlet holes on the sides of the trimmer head housing, then insert the spool straight into the housing. Make sure the line feeds through the outlet holes as you push the spool in, so the ends are sticking out slightly on both sides.

Once the spool is seated fully in the housing, snap or twist the spool cap back on to secure it. Reattach the 18V LXT battery to the weed eater, then turn the tool on. Test the feed by tapping the bottom of the trimmer head on the ground while the tool is running: you should see 4 to 6 inches of new line advance with each tap. If the line doesn’t feed, turn off the tool, remove the battery, and double-check that the line is wound in the correct direction and not overlapping on the spool.

Pro Tips and Best Practices for Long-Lasting Performance

To get the most out of your restringing job and extend the life of your Makita XRU weed eater, follow these expert tips:

• Wind the line tightly: Keeping consistent tension while winding the line around the spool prevents loose coils that can cause jams and uneven feeding.
• Don’t overfill the spool: It’s tempting to add extra line to get more use out of each restring, but overfilling is the most common cause of feeding issues. Stick to the 4-6 inch guideline for line sticking out of the spool.
• Use OEM Makita line when possible: While aftermarket line works well, Makita’s proprietary trimmer line is optimized for the XRU series’ feed system, reducing the risk of jams and improving cutting performance.
• Clean the trimmer head regularly: Every 3 to 4 restrings, take a few minutes to wipe out the trimmer head housing and spool to remove built-up grass, dirt, and sap that can interfere with line feeding.
• Check line wear before each use: Inspect the line for fraying, thinning, or damage before you start trimming, so you can restring it before it breaks mid-job.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Restringing

Even experienced users can make small errors when restringing a weed eater that lead to poor performance or damage to the tool. Avoid these common pitfalls:

• Winding the line in the wrong direction: The XRU’s bump feed system is designed to work with line wound in a specific direction (almost always clockwise). If you wind it backwards, the line will not feed when you tap the head, and you’ll have to redo the entire job.
• Using the wrong line diameter: Only use 0.080” line for XRU series weed eaters. Thicker line will not fit through the outlet holes, while thinner line will slip and not advance properly when you bump the head.
• Skipping the cleaning step: Failing to remove old grass and debris from the trimmer head before installing a new spool is a leading cause of feeding jams, even if you wind the line perfectly.
• Forcing the spool cap: If the cap doesn’t snap or twist on easily, don’t force it. This can break the small plastic clips that hold the cap in place, requiring a replacement trimmer head. Instead, check that the spool is seated correctly and the line isn’t blocking the cap’s path.
• Not wearing safety gear: New trimmer line has extremely sharp edges that can cause deep cuts to your hands, and small pieces of line can fly off at high speed when you’re winding. Gloves and safety glasses are non-negotiable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Should I Restring My Makita XRU Weed Eater?

There’s no fixed schedule for restringing, as it depends on how often you use your weed eater and what type of vegetation you’re cutting. For light residential use (1-2 hours per week), you’ll likely need to restring every 2 to 3 months. For heavier commercial use or cutting thick, rocky vegetation, you may need to restring every few weeks. Inspect your line before each use: if it’s frayed, thinner than 0.080”, or breaks easily, it’s time for a replacement.

What Size Trimmer Line Does the Makita XRU Series Use?

All current Makita XRU series cordless weed eaters use 0.080” (2.0mm) diameter trimmer line. This is the standard size for the bump-feed trimmer head included with all XRU models, and using a different size will cause feeding issues or damage to the head. Check your tool’s user manual if you have an older or specialty XRU model to confirm the correct line size.

Why Is My Trimmer Line Not Feeding After Restringing?

The most common causes of feeding issues after restringing are: winding the line in the wrong direction, overfilling the spool, line overlapping on the spool, or debris blocking the line outlet holes. First, turn off the tool and remove the battery, then remove the spool cap and spool to check that the line is wound clockwise (following the arrow on the spool) and not overlapping. Clean out any debris from the trimmer head housing, then reassemble and test again. If the line still won’t feed, check that the line is the correct 0.080” diameter.

Can I Use Aftermarket Trimmer Line in My Makita XRU?

Yes, you can use high-quality aftermarket 0.080” trimmer line in your Makita XRU weed eater, and many users prefer aftermarket options like star or twisted line for heavy-duty use. Just avoid cheap, low-quality line that frays easily or has inconsistent diameter, as this can cause jams and poor cutting performance. OEM Makita line is optimized for the XRU feed system, but reputable aftermarket brands work just as well for most users.

What’s the Difference Between Bump Feed and Auto Feed for the XRU Series?

The Makita XRU series uses a bump-feed system, which requires you to tap the bottom of the trimmer head on the ground while the tool is running to advance the line. This design gives you more control over how much line is extended, reducing waste. Some other Makita trimmer models use an auto-feed system that advances line automatically when it detects resistance, but the XRU line is exclusively bump-feed, so restringing follows the same process regardless of which XRU model you own.

Conclusion

Learning How to Restring a Makita Weed Eater? is a simple, valuable skill that will save you time and money while keeping your XRU series tool performing at its peak. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, gathering the right tools, and avoiding common mistakes, you can complete the restringing process in under 10 minutes with no special experience. Regular maintenance like restringing your trimmer line will extend the lifespan of your Makita weed eater, reduce the risk of costly repairs, and ensure you get consistent, clean cuts every time you use it. Bookmark this guide for future reference, and don’t hesitate to consult your tool’s user manual if you run into any model-specific issues during the process.