PO Box 2025, Lincoln, CA 95648
Curved Shaft installation instructions
Step 1: Remove the spool cover, spool and spring
Remove the bottom part of the housing. Some trimmers have tabs that you push toward the head to open it up. On some others, you unscrew the bump knob.
Remove the spool, any remaining line, and the spring.
Leave the spool housing on (the top that's attached to the trimmer) . This will prevent the spacer cup (installed ont the next step) from sliding all the way down the shaft.
If:
- The original head of your trimmer is a fixed line then follow the Fixed Line instructions.
- If you have a Weedeater brand trimmer or if after removing the spool there is a clip instead of a threaded shaft then follow the Straight shaft instructions.
Step 2: Install the spacer cup and find the correct fastener
Slide the spacer cup over the shaft, close side facing out. This will take care of the space inside the spool housing while giving the GrassGator a flat surface to sit against.
Next, find the correct fastener. The GrassGator kit comes with a pack of 7 nuts and 2 bolts. Most curved trimmers have a shaft that's threaded on the inside (female). Very few have a shaft that is threaded on the outside (like the picture on the left). If the shaft of your trimmer is threaded on the inside then find the bolt from the kit that fits the shaft. If the shaft is threaded on the outside then find the nut that fits the shaft. Most curved shafts require a regular right-hand threaded fastener (silver) but in very rare cases, a left-hand thread nut or bolt is needed.
The nuts in the kit may look the same but are in fact all different sizes. Some of them, however, are very close in size so you may find some nuts that start but then seize after a quarter turn. If that happens, don't force it, and try other nuts. For most trimmers, the required nut is included in the kit.
Once you find the correct nut or bolt, set it aside.
If:
- None of the nuts or bolts fit the shaft of your trimmer try them again but this time screw them to the left.
- If they still don't fit then you can go to the Brands Section to check if a special bolt size is needed for your particular model and request one by e-mail or by calling 1-800-210-9949.
Step 3: Drop the nut or bolt inside the GrassGator head
Step 3: Drop the nut or bolt inside the GrassGator head
Step 3: Drop the nut or bolt inside the GrassGator head
First, locate the bottom of the GrassGator head. The bottom of the GrassGator head is the side with the hex-shaped recessed hole. This is the side that should be facing the ground once the GrassGator head is in use.
Very important: The hex-shaped hole on the GrassGator head will NOT go over the hex on the top of the shaft.
The hex hole on the GrassGator head should be facing the ground plus, if you can see the hex nut on the top of the shaft then it means you removed the spool housing. Go back to Step 1 and make sure you leave the spool housing on.
Drop the nut or bolt you found on step 2 inside the hex-shaped recessed hole. The shank of the bolt should go through the hex-shaped hole and the head of the bolt should sit inside it.
Pre-Cut Line Units
Step 3: Drop the nut or bolt inside the GrassGator head
Step 3: Drop the nut or bolt inside the GrassGator head
On Fixed line heads like the 8010 and 5600, the bottom is the flat round side, not the side that sticks up
Bladed Units
Step 3: Drop the nut or bolt inside the GrassGator head
Bladed Units
On bladed units (3600,4600,4680) and Multi-Tool units (4700 and 5620), the bottom is the flat round side, not the triangle side.
Step 4: Slide the GrassGator head over the shaft
With the nut now inside the hex-shaped recessed hole, slide the GrassGator head over the shaft.
On bladed units, the triangle side goes against the spacer cup, round side with the nut facing out.
On pre-cut line units, the side that sticks up goes against the spacer cup, flat round side facing out.
Step 4: Screw the GrassGator head on
The GrassGator head will work as a wrench. You may have to start the nut or bolt with your fingers but once the head of the bolt or the nut is inside the hex-shaped hole on the GrassGator head you can then keep turning the GrassGator head until it's tight. There should be no up-and-down play at all. The GrassGator head should be tight against the spacer cup. Any gaps may damage the GrassGator head or your trimmer.
If there's no gap and everything is tight then, you are done and ready to use your new GrassGator!
If:
- There are a few inches of play, go back to step 1 and make sure you left the spool housing on.
- There's about an inch of play, go back to step 2 and make sure you installed the spacer cup.
- If there's only a little bit of play, you can slide the washer included in the fastener pack between the spacer cup and the GrassGator head.
- If there's still too much play then you can go to the Brands Section to check if there are any special instructions for your particular model. You can also call 1-800-210-9949 or e-mail us with any questions. Please remember to include the make and model of your trimmer along with your phone number in case we need to ask you some questions. Pictures are always helpful.