Echo Speed-feed 400 trimmer head on a Kobalt 24-volt weed eater

The Kobalt 24-volt trimmer is a lightweight string trimmer *(12" cutting guard version). The batteries are not that heavy and give you a fair amount of time. I didn’t like the head that came with it. It is a bit involved to re-string. And if that was all it was and it feed properly, I would have keep using it. I had to keep manually feeding it by pressing it down and pulling the string out. There are no trimmer heads sold which state they are compatible with this trimmer Until now!
*EGO AH1530 trimmer head is an easier head to replace with. Basically you remove the old one and slide this one on and tighten the nut. The Speed Fedd head is a very good head but for this trimmer the EGO AH1530 may be a better option. It will only work with the Kobalt 24v 12" trimmer. It will not work with the 40v or 80v Kobalt trimmers.*
The biggest drawback being the electric motor. Because you can not stop it from spinning when you try to tighten a nut on it. The head that comes with it is index to the shaft so you can keep it from spinning when you are taking the old head off by just holding the head. Note: Please don't try to tighten it with the electric motor, it could be dangerous!
The Speed-Feed 400 is an easy to use bump head that comes with lots of adapters and will work in right or left handed trimmers. I got mine as an open box item on ebay. I thought I was going to be using the red bushing because it is the smallest at 8mm but it has left handed threads. You could try drilling it out and re-tapping it. I opted to go with the one that fit the tightest: the black adapter. Since it is a right hand motor you use the white core. Press those two together and you can begin.
The old head comes off pretty easy with a 13mm socket. You are going to use two items from that: the nut and the bushing the head rides on.
Start by putting the original bushing back on the shaft like it came off. It should spin easy. Add it to the main housing and the top which you use to crank in the string. Thread the nut on. You could use a couple of washers if you wanted to. A flat and a lock washer. I ment to the first time but forgot. I haven't had any issues of the head coming off so I didn't this time either. I used a 13mm deep socket and short or stubby ratchet so I could turn it quickly. Since this head is not indexed to the shaft, I would give it a few more turns to be sure it is tight enough. Now place the spool in with the R side up. Put the cap on, line up the arrow on the top with the eyelet and you are ready to string. Slide your line through (10 ~14') so both sides are even and start cracking it in.
I used .080 line when I started using it last year. I had the spool on the wrong side the first time. It will still work it just won't feed properly. I had to clear some high grass for a friend earlier this spring, so I used some .105. It did a good job but the blade didn't want to cut it. It did but, I did have to rev it up quite a bit. The motor did stop when I was trying to cut the line. There was about 4 more inches on one side. I took this to mean that the motor could since that it wasn't balanced enough. Once the line was cut the motor turned at normal pace. I use .095 now. The blade on the guard cuts it.
I bought This unit when I was selling them in the seasonal department a few years ago. In fact I talked my shelf in to buying it. Even though I knew I didn't like the head. My unit came with 2 batteries. That is what did it for me. There was something wrong with the first unit I bought a short somewhere. I took it back the next day for a different one.
There seems to be a lot of different Speed Feed heads out there. The one I used is the
Echo Speed-Feed Universal 400 LH/RH Trimmer Head P/N 99944200907.
Several customers had asked about the Echo/Shindaiwa Speed-Feed head so I went on youtube and found a couple of reviews.
2 specifically: Chickanic! • The BEST TRIMMER HEAD ...
Main Street Mower • String Trimmer Heads -...
This is not a sponsored post. I purchased these items and I use them.
About Indexing. I believe a plate that is index to the shaft could be designed and 3d printed for this to cover the the electric motor. I have made similar things before. It just is not a priority at this moment.
Well that is all I got.
Remember try this at your own risk/ For entertainment purposes only.
*2023 There are 2 new version of the 24-volt trimmer with a different head that is easier to load and they have a 14" cutting guard. It looks to be the same head that came on the 40v trimmer.

[@geotrick]

** The EGO AH1530 head will work on the Kobalt 24v 12" trimmer. The Install video is live kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXPCkHuNp7-rqLM

[@brienw8800]

Is the installation process the same?

[@geotrick]

@@brienw8800 It is easier. I should be posting it today (around 7pm 4-19-24) Here is a video installing it on an ego: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5rJh4l7ermnra8 It is the same.

[@geotrick]

@@brienw8800 The install video is live kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXPCkHuNp7-rqLM

[@theAGanimators]

Do you still prefer the EGO AH1530 to the Speed Feed 400 on the 24v Kobalt trimmer? There seem to be a number of EGO AH1530 reviews complaining of plastic wearing through after just a few months of use. I wonder which one will hold up the longest?

[@geotrick]

@@theAGanimators I do prefer the Ego head, but I can understand what they are saying. The Speed Feed 400 and the EGO head have the same problem with the cap. Both parts can be purchased for under $20US. The EGO head has a disc that spins on the bottom that you are supposed to hit when doing the bump. Most times you are probably hitting the edge and that is where the wear comes from. I never bump on hard surfaces only dirt, or I do it by hand. I also use a line that almost never breaks: Husqvarna Titanium X-Pro 95 $ 105. It is a bit rough of wood, so you want to be careful. The biggest reason I prefer the EGO head is that I have never had weeds get stuck above the head. It happened several times with the Echo SP400. It is easily to remove but it is annoying to have to stop for any reason. Both heads are very easy to load with a slight advantage to the EGO. With the EGO you don't have to line anything up. I used the Echo SP400 for 1.5 yrs and would be still using it if I had not seen that the EGO head would work on my trimmer. I have been using the EGO head for three months. I will let you know at the end of the season if I feel the same way. This is the 3rd year with the Kobalt 24v trimmer I haven't regretted it yet. I never liked the head that came with it. Even the day I bought it. I just knew I would replace it at some point.

[@tommywills6628]

Thank you so much for your video! I have the same weedeater and cannot find the kobalt replacement. Been wanting a speed feed and your video nailed it. Nice and easy instructions you gave. Thank you again. Take care Tommy, Charleston S.C.

[@geotrick]

Glad I could help!

[@TyrantKilla7]

Your video was very helpful my buddy and I spent months looking for heads that will fit for this kobalt model such a headache relief! Thank you!

[@someProject]

Very timely video, I was just planning on this exact mod to this exact trimmer. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@geotrick]

Your welcome! Always make sure you can read the "R" on top of the spool before you put on the cap. Good Luck!

[@estuardoGuzman-u3y]

The exact video I was looking for, great content 😉. Too bad it will not work with my 80V 😢

[@geotrick]

It can work with an 80v: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIaopqqfbNuGrZI

[@brad9872]

I re-tapped the red adapter near top and drilled out bottom portion to match shaft diameter. I threaded that on as it’s supposed to after that. I did remove the top cap on motor so I could hold shaft to get threaded on, I also put the factory nut on the end for good measure after head was tightened.

[@geotrick]

The metal disc in the lower part of the video that I can a "bushing" should go back on. It is what allows the motor to spin freely when thr head is attached. Without it your head will not spin freely making a lot of noise. Next week I will be posting a video with a different head that might be easier to mount on the Kobalt 24v: EGO AH1530 Rapid Reload head. It is easy to load like the Speed Feed 400 is but it looks a lot like the head that comes with the Kobalt 24v.

[@geotrick]

One more thing: I have tried using the trimmer without the guard when using .105" and .095" line. The motor doesn't want to get to full speed if the 2 lines are not even. So you almost have to have a guard with a line cutter in place. I was looking at some way to get a wider cut (14~16"). I think the easiest way to do that is with a 3 inch piece of metal to extend the guard out or design an adapter and 3d print it. The adapter is basically a parallelogram. The key being to move the blade 2" away on the same plane. It could be made out of solid block of PVC. I have found scrap pvc like that on ebay. I will post something if I go ahead with that. 3d printing would probably be the easiest way since both planes are flat.

[@geotrick]

Next week I will be posting a video with a different head that might be easier to mount on the Kobalt 24v: EGO AH1530 Rapid Reload head. It is easy to load like the Speed Feed 400 is but it looks a lot like the head that comes with the Kobalt 24v. A possible advantage of the EGO AH1530 Rapid Reload head is that it can completely covers the exposed motor of the trimmer. The speed feed does n't. EGO AH1530 Rapid Reload head is for a right turn/clockwise motor like the Kobalt 24v. The mounting shaft for the Kobalt 24v is indexed or flat on 2 sides and the EGO AH1530 is for a shat like that also. I am still a fan of the Echo Speed Feed head. I have used it for 2 years without issue. Using lines from .080 ~.105. The EGO is not supposed to be able to use the .105 (which I will check). The Speed Feed does seem a little more complicated with all of the parts. The EGO head should mount the same way the original Kobalt head mounts: hold the head and tighten the bolt. This head sells for under $40. an ebay seller has some for less.

[@TyrantKilla7]

Where can I find the white speed head adapter? My buddy ordered the same exact head but it didn’t include the adapter?

[@geotrick]

You need the universal kit. This is the model number: 99944200907. Walmart, Tractor supply, Home depot and Amazon sell it. You will not find it at Lowes. They sell another brand. google: speedfeed universal www.echo-usa.com/trimmer-brushcutter-accessories/speed-feed-400

[@geotrick]

Encase you still need the white adapter: www.ereplacementparts.com/echo-99944200907-speedfeed-400-head-parts-c-35043_187811_509828.html You wantt part number 10.

[@krystalferina4883]

How do I do this to a 80v kobalt trimmer

[@geotrick]

There appears to be 2 versions of 80v trimmers. If the trimmer shaft (black shaft) is removable, it will be easy to remove the old head. then follow these instructions to remove the old head: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6q9f35sZt-HpqM If you shaft is not removable shiny metal follow these instructions to remove the old head: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6nOo3qrZtiXiNk The black shaft version should be an easy install with the black plastic and gold metal nut. The shiny metal one may not work . The problem I see is how long the bushing is. You need to have a bushing between the motor and the head. It gives you clearance so the motor turns without friction. So to go farther you would need to drill out the red adapter so you can tap it with a M10 -1.25mm standard right hand threads. Let me know the shaft version you have.

[@geotrick]

A friend is allowing me to try to install a Speed Feed 400 head on a 80v Kobalt. If I am successful I will post a video showing how this weekend.

[@geotrick]

Here is the video for the Kobalt 80v Max that turns to the right. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIaopqqfbNuGrZIsi=WbNpykmKviSGbEJa

[@legendodinson7082]

think this will also fit the older kobalt max40v?

[@geotrick]

I think it is about the same as how I did mine. I would first remove your head and check the thread size of the shaft. If the shaft is 8mm (M8), then follow my directions in the video. If it is 10mm (M10) you may have a problem or you need to drill out one of the metal inserts to make it work. What ever bearing under the original heads needs to be reused.

[@trogers6209]

@@geotrickI have the 7yr old 40v and purchased I think an echo speed feed from HD. After taking the Kobalt apart, the long rod is not long enough to attach to the speed feed. I was sooo disappointed. Is that white plastic part what I need ? I didn’t see that in the speed feed? I’m a 65 yr old widow so excuse the lack of knowledge here. Thank you

[@geotrick]

@@trogers6209 It sounds like you were about to do the hard part and remove the old head. Not always easy with those models. You need the speed feed model listed as universal for straight and curved shaft trimmers. The one you have is for a trimmer that turns left. But to make it work on your trimmer which it can. You need to drill a hole and turn some threads. Was the nut you were trying to use a M10-1.25? With the right tools this can be done in 15 minutes tops. Do you have a "BEST" or "ACE" hardware near you? Some of these places do light machining for their customers. I would suggest buying the head from them. Show them my video installing a Speed Feed on a Kobalt 80v. It is the same process. If they sharpen blades or cut pipe they have what is needed to do the job. Let me know what you decide to do. Also know that there are a few other heads that will work. I am just not a fan of it. The Wind-N-Go is one. I think you have to buy a M10-1.25 nut to make it work. I installed 1 on a 40v when I worked at Lowes seasonal department. I got lucky when I installed the speed feed on my 24v. Putting a nut on top to secure the head should not work. It should interfere with the spool. Because it is right hand threaded, it gets a little more clearance. I noticed this when I tried to use the same method to install one on an 80v. The nut was too big so you didn't have clearance and the head would not close. It will work if you just drill and tap the adapter.

[@tinarogers1147]

@@geotrick Thank you so much. I am printing this out and calling around to see who has the trimmer head you mention and if they can do this. I'll definitely let you know.

[@trogers6209]

@@geotrick is there anyway to send you a picture

[@geotrick]

I designed a indexed spacer with fan blades for this. It has not been printed yet. I posted it on Thingiverse. www.thingiverse.com/thing:6176698 and this is a indexed adapter for the white core: www.thingiverse.com/thing:6179200