Line and blade loading instructions for GrassGator 8050 - Trims and Blows

(Line 1) Remove the Old Line

To remove the old line simply pull from the inside part of the head.

If:

• There's no line sticking out of the center holes then push what's left of the line (on the outside) towards the head until you see the tips coming out of the 2 small square holes in the center of the head.
• If there's no line sticking out of the center holes and there's no line showing on the outside, use a new piece of line to push the old line out.

(Line 2) Get the new line ready

The 8050 takes 2 pieces of line about 6" long. Originally it comes pre-loaded with .105 shaped trimmer line but it also takes .095 or .105. You can buy our pre-cut line model 8070 or you can cut your own.

(Line 3) Insert the new line

Push the new line in from the outside making sure to leave about half inch sticking through the 2 small square holes on the inside part of the head.

If:

• The lines fly out of the head, blow some air in the holes. Sometimes grass and dirt gets lodged in the head prevent the jaws inside from doing their job. Also make sure the lines don't go past the blade on the deflector shield.

To Change the Blades:

(Blades 1) Remove the 8050 Off Your Trimmer

The instructions on how to remove the head depends on how the head was installed originally.

If:

• You have a curved shaft and / or you still have the original spool housing on your trimmer then hold the spool housing in place, don't let it move. That will lock the shaft and will let you unscrew the GrassGator head off.
• You have a straight shaft and / or you don't have the original spool housing on your trimmer anymore then follow the same instructions as when you removed the original head. First lock the shaft by following one of these 3 methods:

Trimmers with a Metal Collar with a Hole Cut on Top

Right on top of the original head there should be a metal collar with a hole cut on top. Use the tool that came with your trimmer and drop it down the hole. If yours didn't come with one you can use a nail, alan wrench or drill bit. Turn the head a few times until the locking tool aligns with the hole on the plate inside the collar. The tool will sink a little bit deeper and the head will offer some resistance once you try to turn it opposite to how it normally spins. Remember, most straight shaft trimmers are on a reverse thread so try unscrewing the head to the LEFT first.

Trimmers with a U Shaped Slit Cut on the Side of The Plate

Right above the original head there should be a plate or metal collar with a hole or u-shaped slit cut on the side. If your deflector shield covers the plate, look for a hole on the deflector shield. Your trimmer may have come with a tool to lock the shaft (usually a metal rod). If yours didn't come with one then use a nail, screw driver or Allen wrench instead. Insert the whatever tool you are using into the slit and turn the head a few times. The tool will sink deeper and the head will offer some resistance once you try to turn it opposite to how it normally spins. Remember, most straight shaft trimmers are on a reverse thread so try unscrewing the head to the LEFT first.

Trimmer with a "nut" above the original head

Finally, some brands like Weedeater have what looks like a pot metal "nut" right on top of the original head that wraps around the handle of the trimmer. If that's the case with yours then hold the "nut" in place, don't let it move.

(Blades 2) Unscrew the GrassGator Head

With the shaft locked in place unscrew the GrassGator head and remove it off the trimmer.

(Blades 3) Open the Head

Loosen and remove the 4 screws and washers that hold the two halves of the head together (circled in red).

Do not open the head yet.

Hold both halves of the GrassGator head tight and flip the head upside down (domed side of the head facing up, the holes for the screws facing the ground) to avoid losing the cams and springs inside the head. Now you can remove the bottom cover of the head.

Blades

Before we go any further, there are some things you need to know about the blower blades (model 8060):

• Not all trimmers spin the same direction. Most straight shaft trimmers come with left hand threaded shafts while most curved shafts come with a right hand threaded shaft. Each replacement head and replacement blade packs comes with 2 sets of blades: one for curved and one for straight shafts.
• There is some writing molded on the blades. You will see and arrow and the designations A1, A2, B1 or B2 along with "curved shaft" or "straight shaft".
• The curved shaft/right hand blades are labeled A1 and A2 while the straight shaft/left hand blades are labeled B1 and B2.
• The 8050 comes pre-loaded with the curved / right hand threaded blades.

(Blades 4) Remove old blades

Remove the old blades by first pushing them an inch or so in the direction of the arrow printed on the blade until the back post clears the hole on the housing. Then, holding the blade by the back post, lift and pull to remove. Do the same thing for both blades. Do not discard the old blades yet. Save them for the next step.

(Blades 5) Select the new blades

As mentioned before, each pack of replacement blades (model 8060) comes with 2 sets of blower blades: one for right hand threaded trimmers and one for left hand threaded trimmers. The easiest way to determine which ones you need is by looking at the marks on old blades.

• If you've been using the A blades then find blades A1 and A2 from the new pack.
• If you've been using blades B then find blades B1 and B2.
• If you no longer have the old blades or if you can't determine which one you have then keep in mind that blades A are used for right hand threaded shaft trimmers (most curved shafts). Blades B are used for left hand threaded trimmers (most straight shafts)
• If you install the wrong blades for your trimmer, the 8050 will lift up instead of blow down. If that happens then go back to Step (Blades 1) and switch to the other set of blades.

(Blades 6) Install the new blades

Now that you have selected the correct blades, it's time to install them:

• Molded inside the replacement head housing you will see: "Curved Shaft A1 Blade / Straight Shaft B1 blade" and "Curved Shaft A2 blade / Straight shaft B2 blade" with arrows pointing towards the correct exit opening for the blades.
• Select the A1 or B1 blade as determined on Step 3.
• Find the side of the head labeled "Curved Shaft A1 / Straight Shaft B1".
• Align the blade so both the arrow on the blade and the one on the housing are pointing the same way.
• Insert the blade into the opening pointed by the arrow.
• Keep pushing until the whole blade is sitting inside the housing.
• Do the same thing on the other side for the A2 or B2 blade.

(Blades 7) Put the replacement head back together

Make sure that the blades, cams and springs are all in place. (See picture above).

Make sure the notches on the top part of the head align with the grooves on the bottom cover.

Keeping the head together, flip it over and replace the 4 screws and washers.

Screw the head back onto your trimmer

Your GrassGator is now ready to use!