Ryobi bumphead from hell

[motoman]

My first trimmer was a 725R and a great unit it was. Then a Craftsman which just died so tried Ryobi again. The unit is ok but the bump head is a hand ( and wrist)-wringing problem. Is this new design to simplify owner operation? I think most would say all is well until that first line jam which requires opening the bump head. The older design simply required loosening a left hand bolt and then loosening the line .
The new unit also is made to come apart and the instruction manual says "turn the two halves" until arrows line up. No movement. Placed in vise and used a pipe wrench. No movement. Unable to access tangled line...stopped. Finally , out of curiosity, cut the unit apart. Still could not slide the halves.

Since the unit was in warranty called factory and was told to return the whole unit for an exchange. Then another number which said a new bump head could be sent but a long lead time. Decided to return unit to H Depot who quickly sent me to aisle 3 for a new bump head kit. Before opening the kit I went on youtube and found numerous "how to's" showing easy opening of the two halves. But one was on my topic. The guy cited "Fix-It" website where an owner pried back the rim of one half and ground down some nubbins which were hanging up the rotation of the two halves. Looking back it seemed that the vise jaw I had used had distorted the flexible plastic rim, making it even more unlikely to rotate apart.
So it was with assured confidence that Ryobi had caught and solved the problem. Wrong. I could not get the brand new bump head to rotate. Shot WD-40 around rim and then forced plumbers grease into rim. Finally with unreasonable wrenching the thing came apart. (This is a user-friendly device used on the electric version also). Next simply spin the left hand threaded bump head onto the shaft. Wrong. Fine print says
"if bump head will not fit call 800 xxx" (Who is running this company???)

The bubble pak did contain a second hex headed, left hand threaded bushing of different pitch which required removing the existing bushing and pressing in (or hammering?) the new one. So how was an 800x phone call to go for the average owner??

A redeeming quality in this mess is that an older drive shaft (accessory) with old-style bump head works with this new unit incase you have thrown the new improved bump head away. I have used the new bubble pak unit now for an hour and the line is jammed. Looking forward to an easy fix. (huh?)

 

[Auto Doc's]

Hello motoman,

A "trick" that helps prevent line from jamming up when hot is to wet the cutter head with water before each use. Water actually cools and strengthens the nylon cutter line. Your cutter line will go much further.

Give it a try, you might be surprised.

Along with that, there are companies that make much better "bump" style cutter heads than the stock Ryobi. They usually come with a variety of different thread pitch mounting hardware so they can adapt to different machines.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

My first trimmer was a 725R and a great unit it was. Then a Craftsman which just died so tried Ryobi again. The unit is ok but the bump head is a hand ( and wrist)-wringing problem. Is this new design to simplify owner operation? I think most would say all is well until that first line jam which requires opening the bump head. The older design simply required loosening a left hand bolt and then loosening the line .
The new unit also is made to come apart and the instruction manual says "turn the two halves" until arrows line up. No movement. Placed in vise and used a pipe wrench. No movement. Unable to access tangled line...stopped. Finally , out of curiosity, cut the unit apart. Still could not slide the halves.

Since the unit was in warranty called factory and was told to return the whole unit for an exchange. Then another number which said a new bump head could be sent but a long lead time. Decided to return unit to H Depot who quickly sent me to aisle 3 for a new bump head kit. Before opening the kit I went on youtube and found numerous "how to's" showing easy opening of the two halves. But one was on my topic. The guy cited "Fix-It" website where an owner pried back the rim of one half and ground down some nubbins which were hanging up the rotation of the two halves. Looking back it seemed that the vise jaw I had used had distorted the flexible plastic rim, making it even more unlikely to rotate apart.
So it was with assured confidence that Ryobi had caught and solved the problem. Wrong. I could not get the brand new bump head to rotate. Shot WD-40 around rim and then forced plumbers grease into rim. Finally with unreasonable wrenching the thing came apart. (This is a user-friendly device used on the electric version also). Next simply spin the left hand threaded bump head onto the shaft. Wrong. Fine print says
"if bump head will not fit call 800 xxx" (Who is running this company???)

The bubble pak did contain a second hex headed, left hand threaded bushing of different pitch which required removing the existing bushing and pressing in (or hammering?) the new one. So how was an 800x phone call to go for the average owner??

A redeeming quality in this mess is that an older drive shaft (accessory) with old-style bump head works with this new unit incase you have thrown the new improved bump head away. I have used the new bubble pak unit now for an hour and the line is jammed. Looking forward to an easy fix. (huh?)

It is a piece of junk, from the trimmer, to the trimmer head. If you have had enough, buy a better brand.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Not everyone can afford or need a top-of-the-line trimmer. From the sound of things, he only needs a more user-friendly strip bump head.

 

[motoman]

The basic unit is good so far , tearing into wet, thick weeds as well as any other 2 stroker. The point of the thread is how far off the mark Ryobi went apparently trying to appease those who cannot rewind the old style bumphead with 20 feet of line. Concentration on that set up a spaghetti junction of various "help" calls leading nowhere and tarnishing the brand more than helping it (IMO). A search shows a number of different "appearing, " competing bumpheads with no easy way to filter a good one. (pls chime in) . I am using an old style bumphead salvaged off a junk trimmer bought for $10 at goodwill, but the eyelets have worn down to the plastic.

 

[2muchgrass2mow]

My first trimmer was a 725R and a great unit it was. Then a Craftsman which just died so tried Ryobi again. The unit is ok but the bump head is a hand ( and wrist)-wringing problem. Is this new design to simplify owner operation? I think most would say all is well until that first line jam which requires opening the bump head. The older design simply required loosening a left hand bolt and then loosening the line .
The new unit also is made to come apart and the instruction manual says "turn the two halves" until arrows line up. No movement. Placed in vise and used a pipe wrench. No movement. Unable to access tangled line...stopped. Finally , out of curiosity, cut the unit apart. Still could not slide the halves.

Since the unit was in warranty called factory and was told to return the whole unit for an exchange. Then another number which said a new bump head could be sent but a long lead time. Decided to return unit to H Depot who quickly sent me to aisle 3 for a new bump head kit. Before opening the kit I went on youtube and found numerous "how to's" showing easy opening of the two halves. But one was on my topic. The guy cited "Fix-It" website where an owner pried back the rim of one half and ground down some nubbins which were hanging up the rotation of the two halves. Looking back it seemed that the vise jaw I had used had distorted the flexible plastic rim, making it even more unlikely to rotate apart.
So it was with assured confidence that Ryobi had caught and solved the problem. Wrong. I could not get the brand new bump head to rotate. Shot WD-40 around rim and then forced plumbers grease into rim. Finally with unreasonable wrenching the thing came apart. (This is a user-friendly device used on the electric version also). Next simply spin the left hand threaded bump head onto the shaft. Wrong. Fine print says
"if bump head will not fit call 800 xxx" (Who is running this company???)

The bubble pak did contain a second hex headed, left hand threaded bushing of different pitch which required removing the existing bushing and pressing in (or hammering?) the new one. So how was an 800x phone call to go for the average owner??

A redeeming quality in this mess is that an older drive shaft (accessory) with old-style bump head works with this new unit incase you have thrown the new improved bump head away. I have used the new bubble pak unit now for an hour and the line is jammed. Looking forward to an easy fix. (huh?)

Hi Motoman: I cannot advise you on your particular trimmer but will tell you that over the years (I'm 74) I have had many trimmers - all gas driven. *EVERY SINGLE ONE either immediately had, or eventually developed, maddening problems with line feed jams and/or issues involving the head construction. I have end-stage arthritis in both hands/wrists/fingers, and it eventually became impossible to deal with the problems. Most recently, I had an Echo - which was great when it wasn't jamming up the line, but I became PO'd and sold it with full disclosure to the buyer.
THEN: I bought an EGO 56V battery operated trimmer that feeds the line automatically by just pressing a button, knows when more line needs to be released and does it, has enough juice for about an hour of trimming and has multiple adjustments to match the operator's height and preferences - even length of shaft is adjustable. Finally, a trimmer that's a joy to use! I also bought the optional strap because, even balanced, it's a bit heavy - but not overly so. The 56V battery comes with a robust charger that charges it in just a few minutes, and when the battery dies - it DIES, no sputtering or guessing involved. The battery also is used on a number of other tools. I also have the blower. It's a hurricane in a small package!
Get yourself one of these unless you need a commercial trimmer that will cut for hours on end for large jobs. I have an acre and a half - .5-acre yard and a 1-acre field. It works great for me, and finally no more line/head headaches. I am not a big fan of battery-operated machinery - I would never consider a lawn tractor with battery power, but I'm sold on this EGO trimmer.

 

[motoman]

Hi Motoman: I cannot advise you on your particular trimmer but will tell you that over the years (I'm 74) I have had many trimmers - all gas driven. *EVERY SINGLE ONE either immediately had, or eventually developed, maddening problems with line feed jams and/or issues involving the head construction. I have end-stage arthritis in both hands/wrists/fingers, and it eventually became impossible to deal with the problems. Most recently, I had an Echo - which was great when it wasn't jamming up the line, but I became PO'd and sold it with full disclosure to the buyer.
THEN: I bought an EGO 56V battery operated trimmer that feeds the line automatically by just pressing a button, knows when more line needs to be released and does it, has enough juice for about an hour of trimming and has multiple adjustments to match the operator's height and preferences - even length of shaft is adjustable. Finally, a trimmer that's a joy to use! I also bought the optional strap because, even balanced, it's a bit heavy - but not overly so. The 56V battery comes with a robust charger that charges it in just a few minutes, and when the battery dies - it DIES, no sputtering or guessing involved. The battery also is used on a number of other tools. I also have the blower. It's a hurricane in a small package!
Get yourself one of these unless you need a commercial trimmer that will cut for hours on end for large jobs. I have an acre and a half - .5-acre yard and a 1-acre field. It works great for me, and finally no more line/head headaches. I am not a big fan of battery-operated machinery - I would never consider a lawn tractor with battery power, but I'm sold on this EGO trimmer.

Hi Motoman: I cannot advise you on your particular trimmer but will tell you that over the years (I'm 74) I have had many trimmers - all gas driven. *EVERY SINGLE ONE either immediately had, or eventually developed, maddening problems with line feed jams and/or issues involving the head construction. I have end-stage arthritis in both hands/wrists/fingers, and it eventually became impossible to deal with the problems. Most recently, I had an Echo - which was great when it wasn't jamming up the line, but I became PO'd and sold it with full disclosure to the buyer.
THEN: I bought an EGO 56V battery operated trimmer that feeds the line automatically by just pressing a button, knows when more line needs to be released and does it, has enough juice for about an hour of trimming and has multiple adjustments to match the operator's height and preferences - even length of shaft is adjustable. Finally, a trimmer that's a joy to use! I also bought the optional strap because, even balanced, it's a bit heavy - but not overly so. The 56V battery comes with a robust charger that charges it in just a few minutes, and when the battery dies - it DIES, no sputtering or guessing involved. The battery also is used on a number of other tools. I also have the blower. It's a hurricane in a small package!
Get yourself one of these unless you need a commercial trimmer that will cut for hours on end for large jobs. I have an acre and a half - .5-acre yard and a 1-acre field. It works great for me, and finally no more line/head headaches. I am not a big fan of battery-operated machinery - I would never consider a lawn tractor with battery power, but I'm sold on this EGO trimmer.

 

[motoman]

Finally got the HD bubble pack warranty replacement bump head apart. The two halves fit so tightly no lubricant , however fine, can allow easy access. A guy on youtube pried several mating radii apart and ground down some areas with caveat ( my take...too much and the halves will part in use?). What is needed ( besides simply returning to the old time design) is to furnish two plastic "spanner" wrenches, one to fit the smaller and one to fit the larger knurled OD's- this instead of the "quick winder" gizmo which winds up the line once inserted . But this screams stupid design . Specifically, "A breeze to load the line and wind it up...but alas we can never get that far except in a perfect world without line tangles"
I had to jury rig a little "stop arm" bolted to the aluminum gear housing and still had trouble opening.

To be fair. I was able to poke new line thru, wind it with speed winder , and whack away. But the effort expended in opening the bump head is a no starter. Classic design flaw without adequate field results.
I will try one more time to fix a snarl and then return to the " old reliable,"

 

[motoman]

Threading line thru this new style bump head is not easy. The line is "wire-based" and has a memory "curl" which makes it difficult . Unable to straighten the line . Took a straight piece of wire and "butt-taped" the line on (not easy 'cause lap taping is too large to pass thru). This allowed easy threading through the head. Then the 15 feet of line speed-spools on with the plastic crank. The loading of the line once threaded IS easier than the hand spooling of the old style bump head. And this wire-based line holds up longer than the .090" plastic, especially along metal fencing. I have not been able to bump-advance line. Instead, pick up the unit , press down and counter-twist the "bump" while pulling out line on both sides. A pain, it is still easier than frequently disassembling the old style head to loosen bound up line , this from abusing the tool on metal fencing and weeds. So ...could be better, but some good.

This Ryobi 2 stroker is a hard starter. I have not yet found the drill for reliable starts. The Craftsman (RIP) started easily. This unit seems cold blooded, but does not respond to the full choke with a "sputter" as a clue (70F). It seems to want intermediate choke, but only moving back and forth from no choke to intermediate works. And...the unit is not "agile." By that I mean it will die with a half tank during frequent or prolonged positions other than bump head down, such as overhead trimming with a click-it attachment. And after dying often is hesitant to start. The unit is quirky. Ryobi missed the mark. I wish I still have the ole 725R.

PS...The butt tape of line to threader wire can only be one thickness due to the hole size. Clean both to make this weak splice work (alcohol).

Hard starting is somewhat a mystery but one clue is that after one time out to let my arm rest I pulled the plug after repeated attempts with choke full-on. No odor or wetness on the plug. Did Ryobi over react to classic flooding problems by starving the choke? And somehow relates to "agility" problem (above)?

 

[motoman]

My first trimmer was a 725R and a great unit it was. Then a Craftsman which just died so tried Ryobi again. The unit is ok but the bump head is a hand ( and wrist)-wringing problem. Is this new design to simplify owner operation? I think most would say all is well until that first line jam which requires opening the bump head. The older design simply required loosening a left hand bolt and then loosening the line .
The new unit also is made to come apart and the instruction manual says "turn the two halves" until arrows line up. No movement. Placed in vise and used a pipe wrench. No movement. Unable to access tangled line...stopped. Finally , out of curiosity, cut the unit apart. Still could not slide the halves.

Since the unit was in warranty called factory and was told to return the whole unit for an exchange. Then another number which said a new bump head could be sent but a long lead time. Decided to return unit to H Depot who quickly sent me to aisle 3 for a new bump head kit. Before opening the kit I went on youtube and found numerous "how to's" showing easy opening of the two halves. But one was on my topic. The guy cited "Fix-It" website where an owner pried back the rim of one half and ground down some nubbins which were hanging up the rotation of the two halves. Looking back it seemed that the vise jaw I had used had distorted the flexible plastic rim, making it even more unlikely to rotate apart.
So it was with assured confidence that Ryobi had caught and solved the problem. Wrong. I could not get the brand new bump head to rotate. Shot WD-40 around rim and then forced plumbers grease into rim. Finally with unreasonable wrenching the thing came apart. (This is a user-friendly device used on the electric version also). Next simply spin the left hand threaded bump head onto the shaft. Wrong. Fine print says
"if bump head will not fit call 800 xxx" (Who is running this company???)

The bubble pak did contain a second hex headed, left hand threaded bushing of different pitch which required removing the existing bushing and pressing in (or hammering?) the new one. So how was an 800x phone call to go for the average owner??

A redeeming quality in this mess is that an older drive shaft (accessory) with old-style bump head works with this new unit incase you have thrown the new improved bump head away. I have used the new bubble pak unit now for an hour and the line is jammed. Looking forward to an easy fix. (huh?)