Is your whipper snipper no longer cutting cleanly, or has the cord completely disappeared into the head? Don’t worry, replacing the whipper snipper cord is a simple job that can be done in just a few minutes. Keeping your line fresh will help make lawn edges and garden borders much easier to maintain.
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1. Make Sure the Whipper Snipper Is Safe
Before starting, always turn the whipper snipper off and make sure it can’t accidentally start. For petrol models, disconnect the spark plug. For battery models, remove the battery. This is an important safety step before working around the trimmer head.
Give the whipper snipper a quick clean by brushing away any dried grass, dirt or debris from the head. This will make it easier to open and help the line feed properly once it has been replaced.
2. Remove the Spool and Old Cord
Most bump-feed whipper snipper heads have two tabs on the side. Press these in and remove the cap. Take out the spool and remove any old or broken cord.
Check the spool or user manual for the recommended cord thickness. Using cord that is too thick can stop the head from feeding correctly, while cord that is too thin may wear out too quickly.
3. Reload the New Cord
Cut a few metres of new whipper snipper line. Look for the arrow on the spool showing the winding direction, then wind the cord neatly and firmly around the spool. Try not to cross the line over itself too much, as this can cause it to jam.
Leave around 10–15cm of cord sticking out from the eyelets, place the spool back into the head and click the cap back on securely.
Once everything is back together, start the whipper snipper and lightly tap the head on the ground to check the line feeds correctly. With fresh cord installed, your whipper snipper will be ready to get your lawn edges looking sharp again.
For more lawn care tips and advice, check out our other lawn care blogs here.
