Reviewing the new Stihl AutoCut C26-2

[@keithienmason4643]

Badass trimmer head love this trimmer head love my Stihl fs56 RC string trimmer nicest trimmer I ever used in my life I wish that I could buy a FS 94R

[@ianhinrichsendrummer2113]

Thanks, I bought one of these a few weeks ago, not knowing that it was a similar principle in loading it as the Echo speed head, so now I'm stoked. I bought a 2nd one last week, as I use two different brush cutters a Stihl FS250 and a small FS55R, similar to the one you were using, ie no large handles, just the rubber "D" grip handle (loop). I find the small one easier to use, especially in small places, and it gives your arms and shoulders a good workout! But i use the bigger one in bigger areas or thicker grass, although the 55 can handle big places and long grass, I just don't want to push it too hard. I was cutting in grass /weeds up to my waist the other day, with the 55, and after about 30mins started smelling that "very hot" engine smell, so i went and got the 250 - it just plowed through that stuff. Also, as a garden Maintenance contractor, I've realized, that with 90% of the domestic gardens we do, its actually overkill using a 250, too much power which is not needed. Mine doesn't have the facility to just push the string through the head, and I rechecked the packaging and it's a genuine Stihl C26 - 2?? If you line up the arrows with the line, you should be able to see right through, but with mine you deffinately can't.

[@fortnitefreethinker]

The reason you can't see right through is because it doesn't go right through the middle. It gets to a certain point and then gets routed around the inner chamber and out through the other eyelet. Watch this and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.

[@alsmith2789]

exact same here, my friend. Unloaded factory string, installed new and no problems!!

[@gfelsmanphotos]

To help with the winding, I made a small handle out of aluminum rod that fit the finger spacings, then I just put the aluminum piece in the finger holes, push and twist the line on. Much easier than using your palm or fingers. Otherwise, your fingers will wear out winding the head. Also, I use 0.105 line at 16 feet max. More space in the head for the line to feed when done.

[@TheLawnGuy]

Very inventive 👍

[@danfontaine6992]

I've been using the new head for about a year now I love them I even keep a couple extra

[@Art-is1dg]

IF it is so easy to use, WHY do you need :a couple extra"?

[@bsharporbflat8378]

Is the c6.2 garbage or is it me ? It keeps on cutting the line flush to the head and i have to reload it manually every five minutes

[@gkroll]

Bought one today and the same thing happened. The string stoppd coming out. But I like the product. You do have to push down with quite a bit of pressure to wind the string.

[@TheSnoopy13135]

Great video showing how to wind the string. thank you. I tried to wind it that way and it was very had to do. should i give it a squirt of w d would that make it easier to turn?

[@TheLawnGuy]

Frank Komar hey Frank it will loosen up quick enough

[@rogerwilliams2902]

Im pretty sure they dont mention that in the handbook !!. I know how to fit new cord now though, many thanks for the excellent video.

[@tractorgt]

I'm curious as to their longevity. This review was 6 yrs ago and I'm wondering how many times you've had to replace them. I mow about 75 lawns a week and would be interested if they are sturdy and last.

[@bradasstv]

I see this video is 6 years old. Did you end up liking this? Im still on a 25-2 and I HATE refilling the line. Ive watched so many videos on how to do it properly and my line always gets tangled up inside. Had to stop about 10 times today to "fix" it. Want to get this one and just wonder if you would still recommend...

[@soob99]

I started using one of these today on my 240 and I must say, I'm not keen. Using the red 2.7mm line it was nipping up on itself inside the spool and causing dents in the nylon line, leading to faster wear and even binding up completely like yours did about three-quarter's of the way through each fill. I was getting through nylon like nobody's business strimming down a public footpath. I might see if I can get some stronger 3mm line to load in but I'll most likely be switching to a blade tomorrow.

[@soob99]

Further to this, after a few fills it's working really well. No longer experiencing the problems above.

[@twisted4u]

Soak in warm water, the thread through middle.

[@avrilarbuckle2702]

I have so much difficulty putting new string in the head, I have to get my other half to restring it for me, not good when he is at work and I run out of line. It cuts great but a right pain to load.

[@4maryjowells]

Agreed. This blows!

[@johncollins8304]

Thank you. Seeing the way the new product already had the lines twisted, I thought, 'Thanks for letting us know: after all the hype I've read elsewhere, I will NOT be buying one of these.' Later, you replaced the line, and I'd like to know if it cocked up inside too. Nobody seems to be able to make a recent head that is easy to refill PROPERLY and that lets out line with ease. But in the end you recommended it... So I'll think on it some more. Thanks!

[@johncollins8304]

"recent" - decent

[@ianhinrichsendrummer2113]

I've got two of these heads, about to buy a third, I don't think I've ever had the line twisted - twisted means it hasn't been loaded/wound properly in the 1st place, which would happen to any head.

[@leehoward8570]

@@ianhinrichsendrummer2113 exactly. Looks like the perfect head to me.. i will be purchasing one.

[@TheGuyWhoDidUrM0M]

@@ianhinrichsendrummer2113 its all about what line is used too. . . I've had trouble in the speedfeeds from echo using triangular line. that damn thing would weld to itself all the time.

[@ianhinrichsendrummer2113]

@@TheGuyWhoDidUrM0M I think round is the best way to go regarding bump feed, also the white/grey clip on cover can sometimes get full of sand/mud and it sometimes struggles to feed then.

[@williambennett26]

A quick clamp or drilling through the bumphead to accept a screwdriver shaft or similar to speed the winding process might work.

[@jp-us9rq]

Was that head worth. Buying did it last I'm thinking about getting one

[@williambennett26]

All ads for this head never mention the speed feed line facility, but the bump facility is always mentioned and of course we all know that facility almost never works. I,m ordering a Chinese identical copy at almost a third less cost and the genuine Stihl , let you know how I get on

[@ricead]

Thanks Lawn Guy. I'm going for one of these. Seems worth it.

[@TheLawnGuy]

thanks for watching

[@chase7359]

My new trimmer continues to jam the string like you showed. Not sure what to do about it.

[@Mackeson3]

Soak the line overnight in water

[@leehoward8570]

Only down side to this head is that you can only use line width of up to about 2.5mm.

[@jefffaust89]

Hey try next time you wind up your the head with new string hold the bottom part of the head or the spool part that has the notches in and try turning the head itself counterclockwise and see if string wings in if it does that way might be fast to load than turning the bottom spool part.

[@tonynewnham3114]

Is a thinner line better for edging? Or does it just wear quicker, using more line and more stops to reload....?

[@andrews4596]

Round line is for edging, 2.4 if your strimmer can handle it

[@owenrichards84]

I’ve got this 262 cutter head on my stihl fs 55.

[@bonsallagriservices8875]

Personally I prefer the Stihl durocut over the auto cut I’ve not used the new style only the old style with the Cf3 line I’ve yet to upload a video on the durocut

[@MowerManLawnService]

So this head is similar to the echo speed feed head?

[@TheLawnGuy]

Mower Man Lawn Service I believe so, but I have never used one

[@nsatoday]

Yes it’s a similar principle. The echo is easy to use and I’ve used both the 400 and 450 for years! If you have a quality commercial grade trimmer the 450 is a wider head that holds more line and can use heavy string like .130. Make sure your unit can handle that power wise though. I don’t like the speed feed 400 because the eyelets aren’t the best and with the more rounded bottom it’s much easier to scalp if you make a mistake with the 400. I almost always use a speed feed 450 no matter the brand trimmer and use line size appropriate to the task and the trimmer used. I’m interested to try this stihl head though.

[@4maryjowells]

No. This one SUCKS. Stay with...anything else.

[@worldsokayestguitarist5792]

I have this head on a new FS 111. Not impressed with either. Ordering an echo speed feed tomorrow. Gonna have to deal with the FS 111 for awhile though. Can't return it. Problems with the head...too much effort to extend line. Factory line SUCKS. Changed to a better line, still have to smack shit out of the ground to get the line to extend. Filling it with string...a painful 5 minutes. Hurts your fingers. The trimmer, I bought the bike handle version. Smacking the head to extend line causes the handle to slip forward. Inside the clamp is smooth. Not a good design. Maybe a speed feed will help with this too...piss poor job stihl!

[@TheLawnGuy]

Have you let Stihl know what you think?

[@4maryjowells]

100% AGREED! Now try loading that POS with FINGERNAILS!!! 🙄🤬😳

[@gordonbell177]

When putting new line in I find it easier to hold the front in and turn the back.

[@TKG]

very informative, but have to admit, I think the old system is better, however the fact that the surface area stops the digging in is a plus.

[@twisted4u]

How is it better? Basically you get your string, find half way. Thread it straight through middle with lines, lined up. The just twist the bottom with your hand. Takes minutes. I've struggled forever. Always did how I thought it went, instead of how it actually does. There's no need to undo, take off, nothing at all

[@tangoblast4751]

Yeah its real good i like it it balance leaves straight lines i like it

[@benh1490]

Does it work for Husqvarna strimmers as well

[@TheLawnGuy]

ooh no idea never tried it, thanks for watchimg though!

[@pgc-68]

Thanks. Was a bit confused. That got me sorted.

[@TheLawnGuy]

Great thanks Philip

[@richardyeoman2876]

Hi Dave. I'm sure i've seen a video of yours before answering this question but what model Stihl strimmer do you use? I'm looking to get one that's not too aggressive and will do the delicate edging jobs. Cheers

[@frankperez7885]

0.95 works better with that head change i use 5 pound razer it's very good plus that head holds 18ft of string

[@feelnrite]

You may be putting too much line on. When I do that it is more prone to catch.

[@1d1hamby]

I like the 8 line pivotrim for the larger machines. Is England the only place they call them strimmers? There's so many names for these machines. Lol.

[@GregsMowing]

Think the long grass performance is more todo with the cord than the head. Looks hard to wind the cord in? Still prefer the old one. Great video though Dave

[@THEASHJON]

Good day because the thread of my trimmer sihl always ask me and I have to be opening it to pass it you could explain what I say as they always say

[@fredkurasch6307]

Danke für das informative Video .

[@g.r.8590]

Thank you, it was helpfull!!!!

[@victorr.leclerecreyes7869]

Only one problem. Only one. The trademark "STIHL"

[@BigJoe6669]

mine work like a charm !

[@tonynewnham9814]

Wow! I've been searching for some info on this for 3 hours! Finally and thanks very much for taking the time to do the video. My main question was how much line to wind on........I've been putting 8m on the Autocut C25-2, and just wanted to know if I can do the same with the new head (Autocut C26-2) Although I measure my meters from the centre of my chest to the end of my finger tips, I see you measure from finger tips to fingers tips.........I'm envious of the way you edge, I'm still learning that particular skill!! Thanks again.

[@TheLawnGuy]

Tony Newnham thanks for your kind comments Tony! It's a very rough meter! I think the way you do it is probably more accurate!

[@tonynewnham3114]

Tony Newnham Wow, I see I commented on this a year ago! I still have the same head, it's been good apart from the loading of new line. Now the head is worn down, it's easier to get finger and thumb in the grooves for more purchase, I find it blocks up when loading the new line. I'm working in South West France and use a square 2.4mm line, works well. I'm getting a little more finesse now with the head, edging etc., just looking to replace the head and wondered if you had come across anything better for grass trimming......?

[@nsatoday]

You could try the Echo speed feed 450. Around here in my area most people use Oregon Square Magnum gator line .105 line.

[@tonynewnham3114]

The 2.4mm line is just about the maximum this head can manage. I've resorted to only loading 6m on the head, but it still blocks up when loading, maybe they'll make some modifications....I guess the Echo speed feed will fit the Stihl gearbox, I've not tried but I feel its better to stick with what was built for the machine you're using. Hey, but what works for you, its good to share practice

[@nsatoday]

I agree I’d like to try a 26-2 because it would fit flush; but for a very long time the Echo was the best speed feed available and it does require a little plastic adapter washer to work on the Stihl. These are all valid points.

[@BikerBry]

I DO NOT recommend this head, you have to hard tap it to get it to feed, it winds hard and takes a long time to wind it. I had one and it was terrible. Do yourself a favor, get a Echo Speed Feed 400 or 450... they fit everything and are amazing! This is from experiance. I actually threw the Stihl into the trash.

[@4maryjowells]

I hear ya! This feeder is ridiculous! 😒

[@mikezahnow1605]

​@@4maryjowellsrun .065 line and tap at half throttle. Works every time. The thicker line is a problem.

[@Brian-te9be]

good job

[@xavierchue4855]

First time seeing this one

[@owenaderibigbe2862]

cheers, very helpful!

[@robertbutler8678]

Match up the holes all you want the shit don't work. Get a Echo boys, buy American.

[@Incredibletoo]

I don’t think Japanese company is remotely American

[@romeo34889]

Too thick..,next..;

[@stokelysteve3]

I think this is the worst head ever designed. I HATE it!

[@nsatoday]

stokelysteve3 can you tell me why? I use an echo speed feed 450 on my FS 111R. If this head is as good I’d love to not have to use adapters like i do with the echo. If the stihl head has issues I’d love to hear about them

[@tonynewnham3114]

The only issue I had with my first C26-2 Autocut was winding the line on, I found it impossible with the palm of my hand as shown here. Even with gloves on, its hard on your fingers. It can be a fidget in the field, but overall once the line is on, the head performs really well, the bump feed is really time saving and pretty instant mostly. I've just bought my second one and yet to fit it, we'll see if they've made our lives any easier with the winding on of the line, I'll report back. I guess its better with smaller line, maybe even the same size line but round, I've not tried the round line, perhaps I will!

[@worldsokayestguitarist5792]

I agree. Hard to wind, have to slam it hard to extend line, and this sometimes makes it come apart. I can't wait to get a speed feed.

[@ethang7389]

These head are absolute trash. I’ve bought two and neither function worth a shit. Do yourself a favor and buy the echo speed feed head, far superior.

[@TheLawnGuy]

No I couldn't disagree more, I tried the echo speed feed this Spring and thought it was awful.

[@4maryjowells]

Omg, this is the WORST design that I've ever worked with!! DO NOT BUY!

[@hectorperez7655]

noob