Help! How to Fix a Jammed Up Trimmer Head | Ryobi Expand-It Example

Sometimes you can get line jammed up in the head of the trimmer you are using and this video shows you how to get it fixed. I hope it's helpful for someone. You can get new string here: amzn.to/3tSd6kN
#trimmer, #whippersnipper, #strimmer, #ryobi, #ego, #echo, #tools, #lawntools, #yardwork, #homeimprovement, #lawnmaintenance, #weedeater, #weedwacker, #diy, #howto, #fixit, #willitwork
Help! How to Fix a Jammed Up Trimmer Head | Ryobi Expand-It Example
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The RYOBI 40V Brushless String Trimmer gives you the cordless convenience you want with the GAS-LIKE POWER you need. The EXPAND-IT attachment capability allows you to transform your trimmer into an edger, blower, pole saw and many more tools with the available attachments, meaning you can save time, space and money. This RYOBI trimmer has a brushless motor for maximum power and durability. This unit is equipped with the REEL EASY plus 3-in-1 Bump Feed Head with SPEED WINDER, which can be reloaded in 60-seconds or less. This REEL EASY plus head can function as a bump feed head, fixed line head or bladed head. The variable speed trigger and 2-speed switch deliver increased control for any application. The adjustable 13 in. to 15 in. cut swath allows you to optimize your trimmer for increased run time or increased productivity. This lightweight and well-balanced design also has an adjustable front handle for user comfort and is backed by a 5-year warranty. The trimmer is equipped with a 4.0 Ah battery and charger that are compatible with over 40 RYOBI tools on the RYOBI 40V system.
Brushless motor for maximum power and durability
Attachment capable: works with RYOBI expand-it attachments
Reel Easy+ 3-in-1 bump feed head
Bump feed head for easy reloads in under 60-seconds, includes speed winder, compatible with 0.080 in. or 0.095 in. cutting line
Bladed head with heavy-duty serrated blades, ideal for heavy weeds and thick grass
Fixed line head, designed for fast and simple reloads, no winding or bumping required, line pivots for increased durability and long-life
Premium dual 0.095 in. line
Adjustable 13 in. to 15 in. cutting width
Variable speed with 2-speed trigger for more control
Adjustable front handle for user comfort
Includes RYOBI 40V lithium-ion high capacity battery and 40V lithium-ion charger
Works with all RYOBI 40V lithium batteries
5-year tool warranty, 3-year battery warranty
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Echo, Speed Feed, Speed Feed Head, Stihl, Stihl FS 111, Speed Feed 400, Echo head on Stihl, Echo Speed Feed 400 Review, Echo Speed Feed Installation
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

[@SeidelRanch]

It's frustrating when this happens, but it does sometimes. This can also happen if your trimmer line is getting too old and brittle. They just break off. You can get new string here: amzn.to/3tSd6kN

[@Sherry-jx9hs]

You can soak old line in water to help rehydrate it and make it work better. Check out Chickanic on KZbin for tips on fixing your yard equipment

[@marusholilac]

What's needed is a special prosecutor for the engineer that came up with this scheme. . .

[@SeidelRanch]

Hahaha. That could be.

[@michaelhone4402]

Thank you! Very helpful. Ryobi should be paying you for helping their customers fix their goods.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad I could help. Thank you for the kind feedback.

[@nowhere64967]

Oh no they don't like that, they prefer to sell a complete head to 20$

[@1TruePatriot]

Dude--THANK you! I couldn't find a video with a Ryobi trimmer head OLD enough to have the RED, plastic spool nut on it--until I found yours. EXCELLENT tutorial, btw! Subscribed and liked--and I hope others will do the same!! ;-)

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad I could help.

[@camwashington2104]

Me and my grandpa were having this issue and we couldn’t open the trimmer head but we knew it had something to do with the red knob. This video helped us and now it works great 👍

[@SeidelRanch]

Awesome. Glad it helped.

[@kathyandthedogs626]

Thank you! Wish you lived next door!!! I hate this trimmer each time I use it. Then I find your video and I’m happy again!!!

[@SeidelRanch]

Would be happy to help as a neighbor and glad the video could help. I understand your pain with these.

[@melissawyatt3596]

Thanks so much. I could not figure it out with the manual. This old lady is a visual learner and I just fixed it myself.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped! I am too. I learn better by putting my hands on it.

[@jrcrash4644]

I feel like this is something our dads should have taught us. Bless you sir for sharing!

[@SeidelRanch]

You are very welcome.

[@mrsducky3428]

Thank you for making this video, & especially thank you for making the thumb print be the actual head with the red nut! Extremely helpful in finding the correct model!

[@SeidelRanch]

You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful.

[@beverlyjabbari948]

What do you do when you cannot get the red knob off and you can’t get the arrows to line up with the holes?

[@janetfetzer]

This video cleared up half an hour of frustration in trying unsuccessfully to feed in new trimmer line. A small piece of old line remained in the trimmer head thus blocking the new line. Thanks to this video, the problem was quickly solved.

[@SeidelRanch]

I am so glad it helped. I totally understand your frustration.

[@SoHawful]

THANK YOU searching up anything about weed eater heads just takes me to videos of people chucking out cartridges and replacing everything, I can't believe how long it took me to find a useful video

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad you found it. Happy to help. Thanks.

[@knightofnights1693]

BRO YOURE A LIFE SAVER!!

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks.

[@DBaizan]

Fixed my problem! Great video, no fluff.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped!

[@cs5250]

Didn’t realize the red part was reverse thread. Thanks for posting

[@SeidelRanch]

Yeah, that can get you. Glad it was helpful.

[@bobhathaway529]

This happens every time I use this weed eater! Thank you so much for the instructional video! I am going to try another gage line to see if that prevents the ceasing of the line.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped. You can soak your line in water if it's getting brittle. Old line will get brittle and break easier.

[@aracelisgonzalez6036]

Omg! Lifesaver. I was getting ready to go to Home Depot to buy a replacement for it. Had a hard time getting red red knob off because it was tightened too much so I used a wrench to try to loosen it and finally it worked! Thank you so much! 🥳🙌🙌

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad I could help! Awesome you got it working.

[@MrS1spitts]

Thank you. Looked all over KZbin for directions on how to remove the spool and rewind a line. You were very clear

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad to help. Thanks.

[@shawn7757]

You hero! Thank you for making this video. I opened the winder and found old wire stuck in there- you’ve saved me hours of frustration.

[@SeidelRanch]

Happy to hear. Thanks for watching.

[@jjonestowne]

This is EXACTLY what happened to me today. Even went to store and got new string. Went home and tried to string it, “Nope. Won’t go thru…oh, wait, there’s string in it still?!” 😂 But now can’t get the red thing off, won’t turn either direction. 😭. Guess I’ll try channel locks wrapped with a rag or something. 🤷‍♂️ Thanks, though, the exact, perfect video I needed. Appreciate it.

[@SeidelRanch]

Hope you got that dreaded red knob off ok. Glad it was helpful. Thanks.

[@EriMBH]

Thanks. You came in right on time when I was about to smash the trimmer head out of frustration of not knowing how to disassemble it:)

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad I could help. I understand the frustration with these things.

[@oliverchaffe]

Ditto!

[@drmarshall19]

Thank you. Thought I’d need to give mine “hammer-time” but your video saved me and now I can get back to work

[@wienkecat]

Thank you thank you thank you. Im new at learning as my hubby is disabled. I tried and tried to unscrew it and finally using a pipe wrench lightly it dislodged.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks!

[@raykrv6a]

Good video, I was trying to turn the bump knob the wrong way. I actually went out to home depot and bought another Ryobi Expand-it trimmer yesterday and then found your video this morning. fixed my old trimmer. The new trimmer has the updated design so I kept it. If the old one gives me anymore trouble, I'll relegate it to the tiller and sidewalk trimmer attachments. Ryobi does a great job on the tools they make, but the small owners manuals are hard to read for me anyways. Should be full size like other tool manuals.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad you got it fixed. Two is better than one. 😁

[@skinnyman1434]

Couldn't of made it without this one. A friend just gave me the Wacker because he was de cluttering the garage, no manual. It's starting to get dark and I've got a baby football field yard with thigh high recalcitrant weeds. Can't turn the red thing, spool is just moving about a fly's foot in either direction all l have is a small pair of pliers and what little grip l can get I'm going the wrong way. Started prying the spool off with a flathead screwdriver, sun going down quick. I paid attention to that Lil voice right before l broke the spool and went straight to Google University. Your video was the game changer. Wethanksya.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped. Google University 👍

[@yeeeouch]

Hey, nice job mate. Simple, and encouraging.

[@philscoltock5082]

SeidelRanch you are a star !! I read the instructions carefully repeatedly and at not time do they explain that the red retainer is a left-hand thread. Knowing that removing it wasn't working and something isn't right I checked KZbin - found you Vid - it was then SO easy - thank you sir - without it I would probably have broken it

[@SeidelRanch]

So glad I could help. Thank you for the great feedback.

[@isoldecurry4321]

I really appreciate your video. It helped us get our trimmer head disassembled to put more trimmer line in.

[@SeidelRanch]

Thanks. Glad it was helpful.

[@monicaallen4577]

THANKS FOR SHOWING ME HOW TO FIX A BASIC TRIMMER JAM. . MOST OTHER VIDEOS ONLY SHOW THE LINE BEING FED FROM SIDE HOLE TO THE OTHER.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped. Thank you.

[@Datrebor]

Thank you for sharing this information. My brother had the same problem with his. I could not figure how to take it apart till I saw your video. On his the one side did not slip inside but was only 2 to 3" long but the other side was barely used and was full. Now he can string a new line on it.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks!

[@KaiaLoeung]

Thank you soooo much saved me a head ache

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped

[@asd67lkj]

Thank you. I am having trouble with my Ryobi petrol trimmer head and you have given me somewhere to look for the cause.

[@SeidelRanch]

Thanks. Glad it was helpful.

[@wilnoanelien4194]

By far the most useful video I've seen on KZbin

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for that awesome comment.

[@djackson4]

Thank you so much for this video. My weed eater didn’t have the notch, but your video showed me how to get it off. I was getting so frustrated. So glad I found your video.

[@SeidelRanch]

Thanks for the feedback. I was hoping it would be helpful to someone.

[@albarry4333]

Good video. I viewed mostly to verify that I was turning the red nut the right way to take it off. I was but the thing seemed to be welded on there. Never had it off before. It was a bear to get that thing unscrewed. Required straps and pliers. I was amazed you got yours off so easily.

[@mjames978]

Looks so easy. Even Ryobi own instructions are poor, thanks

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you.

[@100PercentOS2]

Thank you. At last I found the answer I was looking for and I was afraid I will have to take the head apart on my new gas trimmer. However it looks like you have an older trimmer where you probably have a lot of screw type parts. I have to squeeze the tabs on both sides of the head to get mine apart. Anymore equipment is made with as many parts as it can that will snap together. So now I know what I'm getting into. Great video and very informative.

[@SeidelRanch]

Thank you. Glad it was helpful. Yeah, most of my stuff is older. I like to keep it running as long as I can.

[@stevengeorge4393]

Thank you so much! Seems like all the other videos don't have the red nut and have the updated yellow one. I knew the red nut had something to do with it but was on so tight had to use slip joint pliers to loosen it. Now back to working on the yard!

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad I could help!

[@fionabarr3726]

Thank you so much. This is exactly what happened to our trimmer!

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped!

[@TonyjMeredith]

My neighbours thank you. They don't need to hear any more swearing.

[@SeidelRanch]

Hahaha. I understand. Glad it was helpful.

[@hanishakrah3621]

This helped so much thank u! Mine was jammed and was about to buy a new one til I saw this

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad I could help!

[@garyashworth74]

thank god there are people like you that takes time to make a video just to help people./ great video

[@SeidelRanch]

I appreciate that! Glad it helped.

[@josephlama7480]

My pastors line trimmer is a homelite straight shaft and it did the same thing as well thanks for the tip of how to do the problem with the trimmer spool.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@FastFred1290]

Thank you so much. This explained exactly what I needed to do clearly and concisely.

[@SeidelRanch]

You're very welcome! Glad it helped.

[@MikeGeorge-cv1uy]

Super Tutorial! Thanks a million!! You made this a very easy fix. You're the BEST!!!!

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped!

[@MrRibeye]

Thanks for making the jam head fix clear instructions.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad to help

[@Mandydeth]

You're a hero and a gentleman, thank you!

[@SeidelRanch]

Haha, thank you. Glad it was helpful.

[@thomasmcconnell4209]

Good video. Great explanation.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jeffpadilla40]

Your video really helped me out saved money time good job!

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped!

[@yolandebooysen3919]

The most helpful video I have seen on the topic!

[@SeidelRanch]

Thank you for the kind words. I am glad it was helpful.

[@truthseeker7326]

Thanks you solve the unsolvable problem.

[@SeidelRanch]

This is a pain when it happens, but at least you can fix it now when it does. Glad you liked it.

[@micolewalters4004]

Huge help! Thank you!! Had to save it for future reference 🙏🏾

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped!

[@renemorales671]

Broo thanks good tip al ready buy I new head but I see. Your video and help me alot

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad I could help. Thanks.

[@robertklebs4782]

Great video! The problem was solved by your video. Thank you.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped!

[@islandirisful]

Thank you so much; my problem was exactly as you described. Great instructions, great pace!

[@SeidelRanch]

Thank you. Glad it was helpful.

[@Tonycrossfit]

Thank you so much for this video. I’ve been trying to take off the bump stop and been having problems with it. Now that you made this video I’ll go and see if the bump stop comes off. Thanks again 👍.

[@SeidelRanch]

I hope it helped. Good luck.

[@jiechengxu6883]

Thank you so much for your information. Nice and helpful

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dierdriu]

You've saved me from buying a new trimmer. Thank you.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad I could help. Thanks.

[@DaveMaharaj]

Really helped me, thanks.

[@SeidelRanch]

Awesome. Glad it was helpful.

[@drewcrew3298]

That was very helpful. Thank you.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it was helpful!

[@IamCaleum]

I tried to get this stupid thing off for TWO HOURS and every video and manual was for far newer trimmers and then I found this and found out I was doing it all wrong. Fixed. Wish youtube had shown me THIS video first and not the hundred other wrong ones.

[@SeidelRanch]

Man, I know. Those are one of the reasons I made these. I am glad you got it fixed though.

[@fringehead]

I needed this, Thanks

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad I could help

[@briangibson94]

Thanks a bunch guy.

[@SeidelRanch]

No problem. Glad it helped.

[@susancarroll6407]

Thank you for your video. It helped us so much.

[@SeidelRanch]

Very happy it helped.

[@judofan8788]

Brother, thank you so much. This is a life saver.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped.

[@pauljohnson44]

thanks a mill. big help

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped. Thanks.

[@kevinbyrnes5381]

Great video! However, I have situation that the bumper head seems jammed and won't unscrew (turning clock-wise as suggested). I may have over-tightened it before with my lasr re-loading of line. I can see extra line inside the head, but have been unable to unscrew the bumper to get access to the line assembly. Any suggestions?

[@SeidelRanch]

You will have to use some channel lock pliers to unscrew it and pull the red button away from the head when you are doing it. The bolt in the red button needs to grab. That is what I do when its on too tight and it usually comes off with pliers. Hope that helps.

[@laurao5147]

Thank you for the excellent directions!

[@SeidelRanch]

You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful.

[@michaelramsey9975]

Totally worked, thanks mate!

[@SeidelRanch]

You're welcome! Glad it helped.

[@adanfresh]

Thank you sir, super simple explination 👍🏼

[@SeidelRanch]

Thanks for the feedback. Hope it was a simple fix.

[@MA-rc2eo]

Great presentation!

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad you liked it! Thanks.

[@drexellake4051]

Perfect. Thanks

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped.

[@GuthMan95]

Excellent video. Thank you

[@SeidelRanch]

Thank you. Hope it was helpful.

[@samterian7694]

thanks, you helped me out

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad I could help

[@bealeaker9495]

Thank you so much for this video! I can't get my red piece off it just clicks, any recommendations? thank you!

[@SeidelRanch]

I am not 100% sure, but sometimes the bolt inside the red piece does not want set right in the red piece. Try getting some needle nose pliers and put them between the red piece and the spool to make the head tight then try taking it off again. I think the clicking is the bolt slipping in the red piece.

[@roslyngomez3369]

Thank you for this informative video. I have a question. I can see the large spring easily, but is there another smaller spring in the center? I think I might have lost the center spring, so I am having trouble with the bump attachment. I cannot close it, because the center spring is missing. ?????

[@SeidelRanch]

Not that I know of. I think it just have one big spring.

[@bks7842]

Mine does not have the red knob, just a bolt head. Can't find a video on one like it but, I'm assuming it's going to work the same way. Will find out tomorrow. Thanks for the video!

[@SeidelRanch]

Sounds like the red part broke off. Under the red part is a bolt head.

[@johnnyboy4me]

Great video. Easy to follow. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully it will remedy my issue.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped. Hope it works out. Take care.

[@thegreatgunbantoad]

Thanks dude, that helped me out a lot.

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad I could help. Thanks for watching.

[@thalassak]

SO helpful! Thanks!

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it was helpful!

[@galenburns69]

Thank you for sharing and I subscribed too

[@SeidelRanch]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@gracewest5504]

Thanks for your help.

[@SeidelRanch]

You're welcome!

[@Velo1010]

An A++ video. Easy pace and clarification. You are awesome!!

[@SeidelRanch]

Thank you. Glad it was helpful.

[@ironhorsevinnie]

very good video

[@SeidelRanch]

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

[@freethetates]

That was a huge help thank you

[@SeidelRanch]

Awesome. Glad it helped.

[@michaelramil6568]

Thanks! Very helpful!

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped!

[@shytinalove-oates2713]

THANK YOU!!!

[@SeidelRanch]

You're welcome!

[@kelvincapellan8876]

Thank you Sr

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it was helpful.

[@tonyhuang8050]

Thank you so much! Life saver

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped!

[@robertjones5250]

Thanks 🙏🏾

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it was helpful.

[@huipingli9567]

Nice video with detailed instructions. Have a question regarding bump head. Can you share the detailed info as I need to get a new one? Thanks.

[@SeidelRanch]

If you are getting a new trimmer head, watch this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIbPYp6IbdWNa68

[@mikey38632]

I have a Ryobi cordless edger/string trimmer that used pre-wound rolls. I've just used 2-3 rolls from one pack (the trimmer is new to me) and my string is cutting short because it seems to be glued inside. I have to remove my roll, take a knife or something to release the end of the string from the roll, and replace the roll. Like, several times per job. If the next pack of rolls doesn't work better, I'm about to sell it...... No bueno.

[@mikey38632]

I don't like the trigger advance either, I let go of the trigger too much and burn through rolls of string due to excess being released.

[@SeidelRanch]

Check out this video I made: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4mlen9tesxnb7M. You don't have to buy the spools. I actually recommend you string them yourself because its faster and you don't get those issues.

[@SeidelRanch]

I do agree on that. I like the bump style better, but you get use to this style after a while and get a hang of it.

[@ttodd910]

This is a great video. Unfortunately thr red knob wont budge. I know it goes right. I, as a female, surely didnt tighten it. I have 2 Ryobi trimmers and neither work related to trimmer line. The other 18v keeps breaking inside. I hate Ryobi, it shouldn't be such a pain to work with trimmer line!! Ugh

[@ElijahJava]

God bless you sir!

[@SeidelRanch]

Glad it helped

[@calebhopkins23]

I had this happen to me, only thing is that I have tried every thing to get the red nut off and it won’t break loose

[@SeidelRanch]

Yeah, that can be an issue. I've had that issue on trimmers in the past. Sometimes I break them off. You might want to look at replacement heads that do not have that red bump knob like this amzn.to/3PzpJiK or this amzn.to/3ZiJOxh.

[@trishlafleur7660]

thanks so much!

[@Sherry-jx9hs]

Just pull out the string and reload it that is faster than messing with the spool and trying to put it back in already loaded. :)

[@SeidelRanch]

You are right. If you can get to the string in the head without taking it apart, that would work and should be easier. I did the long way to make sure whoever is watching would know how to do it that way, but you are very right. Some needle nose pliers should get to where you need to be. Thanks.

[@Stevegeta]

My red cap seems to be stuck on. any idea? I will try n get vice grips to remove the way you have shown though. Thank you for the great video,

[@SeidelRanch]

Did it work? Were you able to get it off? Those can be tricky sometimes.

[@Stevegeta]

@@SeidelRanch Hi there , I try to turn it the way you showed and it just won't move at all aha gonna try and force it off

[@SeidelRanch]

Did you ever get it off?

[@Stevegeta]

@@SeidelRanch yes with some vice grips. Seems like the cap is busted but at least I was able to get it going again ! 🙃 when I buy another I still have this video to thank for.. appreciate it

[@tonyshelton9710]

Mine was a ryobi but was lefty loosey

[@SeidelRanch]

Really? I don't think I have come across one like that. Good to know.

[@ourfamyourfam]

This is great. Unfortunately someone tightened the bolt and it isn't coming off. I asked someone at the hardware store to take it off and they used a spanner but now the bolt is just spinning? Any ideas how to get it off??

[@SeidelRanch]

If you pull the red button out away from the head, does it grab the bolt? If not then its stripped and you will have to break the red button off to get to the bolt.

[@tallyfriend9701]

THANK YOU

[@SeidelRanch]

You are very welcome. Hope it was helpful.

[@tallyfriend9701]

@@SeidelRanch it was very, did my trimming with a bit of pride

[@brianmayberry6751]

Perfect

[@SeidelRanch]

Thank you. Hope it was helpful.