I agree. it's really not that bad. Spinning the line in on a self-feed isn't exactly great anyway, when you're doing it a lot. What I REALLY want is something like the T35 system, except with re-usable magazines. Load up 5 magazines and just swap them out in the field. I'm surprised this doesn't exist. Well, it does, but only with single-use cartridges.
Argghhhhhh. I ran a full tank through the 3020 no problem, stopped and had breakfast, and then this happened twice in about one minute of running: You can tell it's not user error from running the string too short. The second time it was stuck stuck so I ventured back to my garage and retrieved one of the electric trimmers. After a few moments the same thing happened: Infuriating. Conclusion: the entire speed feeding concept is a flawed, broken design. Here is why: When you are spinning the head to load it there is no tension on the line so it tangles in on itself slightly. Then, during use, centrifugal force causes it to tighten back up preventing any feeding from ocurring. Eventually, that side gets short enough without being fed out that it sucks back in. I suspect the more aggressive the line, the bigger a problem this is because it has friction with itself. The design could probably be fixed by the addition of a rotating cam-lock system with two positions; load and use. In the load setting, metal tabs would put tension on the line as it feeds into the head, and then during use, those same tabs would reverse, forcing the line to only feed one way. Actually you might not even need the second setting. Unfortunately the added drag would make feeding a chore. I'm just going to switch to the T35 manual loading heads.
Muffler mod, pull the limiter caps on the carb, and tune it. Doesn’t matter what brand. They all run like turds from the factory. I have 2 stihl fs 45’s and they run great like this. They aren’t power houses, but they run great and cut any reasonable grass you will find. Check the displacement of various trimmers and most of them are pretty close to the same, just tuned different.
I feel like my 3020 is very well tuned from the factory. I have probably 5 hours in running it full blast in dense brush. It runs exactly like a good saw; four-stroking when off load, and then cleans up in the cut.
Still (Stihl) using my Stihl FS36 which I purchased 36 years ago. Too many coincidences here. But Even though it is a pain in the posterior and the throttle cable broke so it does not have much of a speed control anymore and I have to load line every time I use it it keeps going and going and going. Getting up there in age so I like to keep things working. Maybe I am getting a little bit stubborn so, if I keep my tools working it might rub off and it will help me to keep working.
Need the "fainting" version...if they get too noisy you just clap you hands, or make some sudden movement/noise, and they just pass out/fall over!
My buddy's think that if they are loud enough someone will open the feed bins. They quickly form a chorus whenever someone is out & about.
I think some speed load heads work rather well for the most part, always bought the quick load Stihl head for my mom on her fs 45 . Cut 2 6’ pieces and wind it in always fed and worked well until she broke or wore out the center hub on the rocks at their cabin. She weed whipped 8-10 hours every weekend because the terrain was too rough to mow a lot of it. Heads would wear out every 1 to 1 1/2 years, first trimmer quit when carb failed after 10-12 years then she bought another of the same. I replaced carb and my brother ran the original one for another 8-10 years before the shaft snapped. He now has mom’s second hand me down because they sold the cabin. I’ve not used echos speed feed head but I know many like them overall.
