Coming to a Home Depot near you (soon)!
"All the power of gas, without the noise, fuss and fumes now with the Rapid Reload Head for even greater convenience. The 15 in. cutting swath, bump-head line advancement and professional-grade 0.095 in. cutting line make quick word of yard clean ups."
Rapid reload head to quickly and easily load cutting line
http://www.homedepot.com/p/EGO-15-in-56-Volt-Lithium-ion-Electric-Cordless-String-Trimmer-with-Rapid...
"All the power of gas, without the noise, fuss and fumes now with the Rapid Reload Head for even greater convenience. The 15 in. cutting swath, bump-head line advancement and professional-grade 0.095 in. cutting line make quick word of yard clean ups."
Rapid reload head to quickly and easily load cutting line
http://www.homedepot.com/p/EGO-15-in-56-Volt-Lithium-ion-Electric-Cordless-String-Trimmer-with-Rapid...
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26,452 Points
Posted 3 years ago
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36,912 Points
This wasn't at all what I thought it was at first glance (as you know if you saw my original post that I deleted because it was completely wrong!). I had to dig into the manual to figure out what is different about loading string:
Looks easier than winding around the spool, but not significantly so. Maybe I'd have to use it to understand if this actually makes it much faster or easier to load string.
Looks easier than winding around the spool, but not significantly so. Maybe I'd have to use it to understand if this actually makes it much faster or easier to load string.
SCDC, Champion
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53,726 Points
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64,368 Points
Its the same head that the european honda branded trimmers use. I think if i remember correctly.
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,394 Points
If that's the case, it would seem the partnership is benefiting both companies' tools.
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8,554 Points
See if this extends to the mower. :)
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19,576 Points
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64,368 Points
Hopefully we can buy this to add to our trimmers. I dont see why it wouldn't fit. That would be annoying if we cant
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326 Points
I agree Jacob, although the current spool isn't too bad, I have had a few moments when the line slips from my grip and it suddenly unwinds as I am about to finish up.
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64,368 Points
Dont get me wrong. I love the current bump head. I just like to accessorize
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,394 Points
Tom, that's SUPER frustrating when that happens! :-)
SCDC, Champion
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53,726 Points
This got me thinking. If they are sharing some engineering with Honda, EGO may yet get the self propel rights from the Honda push mower. It is the absolute best.
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26,412 Points
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19,338 Points
Wished that Ego had used the same type of plastic as Honda (trade name: Xenoy) for the Ego mower's decks! That stuff is durable and stiff. The Ego mower flexes far too much.
(Edited)
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26,452 Points
Jennifer VandeWater, Community Manager
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80,888 Points
We'll have more information on this new rapid reload head in the coming weeks with a video too!
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26,452 Points
Hopefully the fourth coming info will be the availability of a retro-fit kit, and when it will be available... =)
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230 Points
I called support and they told me that no retro-fitting would be possible for the old trimmers- due to different torque requirements.
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26,452 Points
I am glad to report that the replacement head (AH1500) will work on the older ST1500 and ST1500-S; but don't take my word for it, it says it right there in the included instruction sheet! I posted a how-to on adding an Echo Rapid Reload Head to the older 15" trimmer, and I will make a new thread with the additional details. But in the mean time, the 2nd picture attached is the new head on the ST1500. =)
PS - the steel rod in the second picture is verifying the alignment, which is good to go!
(Edited)
David HD, Champion
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34,476 Points
Thanks for sharing!
Ken, Champion
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68,666 Points
That's great news for those who have been looking forward to the rapid reload head. Was it an easy switch?
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26,452 Points
Yes, unbolt the old one, bolt on the new one.
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,528 Points
Awesome!!! Thanks for being the guinea pig! :-)
SCDC, Champion
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53,726 Points
Yeah, I purchased it off of Amazon, saw your review there too
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1,018 Points
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1,018 Points
That's a bummer if the head doesn't fit the current 15" trimmer, although it should, it's listed as a choice in the model selection. I want to get a different spool, a guy gave me some Oregon steel line for edging, but have be careful with it, it will tear up stucco on a house and I imagine it will destroy a vinyl fence.
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,394 Points
That right there might be a good excuse to own TWO trimmers! :-)
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8,554 Points
For some reason steel line in a trimmer makes me think of Jason terrorizing the neighborhood in broad daylight. :)
The trimmer might need a LED headlight so they can do a remake of the movie series.
The trimmer might need a LED headlight so they can do a remake of the movie series.
(Edited)
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,394 Points
"Jason's Ego", in theatres this July. :-)
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1,018 Points
That's why the mower has headlights!!!
SCDC, Champion
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53,726 Points
This head fits the existing 15" trimmer perfectly, an easy install. Thanks AE for being our guinea pig! I installed mine today.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N39N2JN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Cheap upgrade. Easy to use.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N39N2JN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Cheap upgrade. Easy to use.
(Edited)
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230 Points
Can you please post more details on how to install.
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,394 Points
Eric this exploded view should help you out, it's from the trimmer manual:
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230 Points
Did you need power tools to take off old head? I remember when I was trying to change out the head before, I could not take it off, and support told me you need special tools to remove it.
SCDC, Champion
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53,726 Points
No, I removed the original with a 13mm socket by holding the turning the base and holding the nut still. No other tools. Installing the new one, the nut is a bit deep for a standard socked so a wrench worked just fine. It was EASY.
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,394 Points
Eric, I've never had my trimmer apart, but it would appear based on the exploded view that the Spool Retainer Assembly comes off by pinching the tabs and pulling, and then the Spool Base would come off by removing the Nut.
The Nut looks like it may need a deep socket.
In the past when I've had trouble removing a fastener from something that spins, I've found more often than not an impact driver will get it off. It sometimes takes several shots of the trigger depending how much of a hold I can get on the object, but as long as I can give enough resistance to get the hammering action going it usually works.
(I have a sneaking suspicion that ATE might have done this as well since there appears to be a cordless power tool of some sort just at the edge of one of his pictures above.)
The Nut looks like it may need a deep socket.
In the past when I've had trouble removing a fastener from something that spins, I've found more often than not an impact driver will get it off. It sometimes takes several shots of the trigger depending how much of a hold I can get on the object, but as long as I can give enough resistance to get the hammering action going it usually works.
(I have a sneaking suspicion that ATE might have done this as well since there appears to be a cordless power tool of some sort just at the edge of one of his pictures above.)
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,394 Points
NVM, just follow SCDC's instructions! Lol
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230 Points
I looked at existing strummer again. Once I take the spring off, I cannot loosen the nut that holds the old head. 
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,394 Points
Righty-tighty, Lefty-loosey? :-D
SCDC, Champion
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53,726 Points
You just hold base with your left hand and loosen with the socket, turning counter-clockwise. It is ok to apply some force till it breaks free.
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64,368 Points
Give her hell. It's a lock nut. No special tools needed.
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26,412 Points
I can confirm that the 15" trimmer head is a RH (right hand) threaded nut. So as stated above, lefty-loosy, right-tighty. I also use my Milwaukee M12/M18 impact to remove it (at the lowest setting), but you can definitely remove it by holding the black base with your hand, and then using a wrench to loosen the nut.
(Edited)
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,394 Points
I knew it! :-D
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19,576 Points
David HD, Champion
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34,476 Points
I am in the same boat as you Dave, I LOVE my 15" trimmer. I have used mine for a year now and still going on strong with the original spool head. I bought my replacement string but have no need for it yet. This thing is everlasting like you said ... the first and best purchase EGO tool thus far !!!!!!!
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,528 Points
Yes, the .095" line is a BIG step up from the .080" line I was used to before the 15" Ego came into my life.
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64,368 Points
I have no idea what they could do to make a better tool. Set the bar high. Well making it reversible would have been nice.
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26,452 Points
Do you guys have it up on the mantle on display?! On a serious note, if you like your 15" trimmer, then you will absolutely love it with the new bump feed head. It will be the best $30 you ever spent.
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,528 Points
Doesn't everyone's living room look like this?
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19,454 Points
I failed to mention that I had also used .095 line on the Ryobi for several years (I drilled the head to accommodate that size. it came with smaller size line). But using the .095 didn't stop that Ryobi from eating line frequently.
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64,368 Points
So what do you think is the difference .Dave? Why isn't the ego eating line like your ryobi did? I'm curious to what you think. I agree with you guys. I never have to replace my line. 1x in 2 years. Perhaps a shorter amount is put out per bump?
SCDC, Champion
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53,726 Points
And here I go through .096 line like it was made to paper. I throttle a lot to try and save the line, but all of my trimming is either against brick or concrete.
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,528 Points
Interesting Dave. Are you using the same line with the Ego as you did in the Ryobi?
I found with the .080" line in my corded Toro trimmer as well as the line in the 12" Ego trimmer, I was bump feeding several times every session, but with the more powerful 15" and .095" line I bump feed it maybe once each session. That's true for the heavier hexagonal line I'm using now as well as the twisted line that came with the trimmer.
I went almost a whole season with the line that came with the 15" trimmer before needing to rewind the spool.
I found with the .080" line in my corded Toro trimmer as well as the line in the 12" Ego trimmer, I was bump feeding several times every session, but with the more powerful 15" and .095" line I bump feed it maybe once each session. That's true for the heavier hexagonal line I'm using now as well as the twisted line that came with the trimmer.
I went almost a whole season with the line that came with the 15" trimmer before needing to rewind the spool.
(Edited)
David HD, Champion
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34,476 Points
I am curious as well about the Ryobi eating through the line. That said; I might be a "weird" one but since my original spool head is working fine, I will probably not buy the new "bump head" anytime soon. If it ain't broken, why mess with it?
(Edited)
Jennifer VandeWater, Community Manager
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80,888 Points
Everyone, although the rapid reload head might physically fit on the older models, we strongly advise against it due to performance issues. Among many other issues that may arise, since the rapid reload head is taller, the line will not hit the cut off blade in the right spot and will cause issues when advancing the line. We LOVE your ingenuity, but be careful out there, guys! We DO NOT recommend using the rapid reload head on models ST1500 and ST1500-S. There was a typo on that manual which we are rectifying immediately. Thank you for bringing that to our attention.
SCDC, Champion
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53,622 Points
You know us though. Not a whole lot stops us from trying things. Your words of wisdom and cautions are well noted!
Thanks Jennifer.
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,394 Points
Father: "Be careful around that fire. It's hot and you don't want to get burned."
Son: "Ouch!"
Sounds all too familiar. :-)
Son: "Ouch!"
Sounds all too familiar. :-)
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36,892 Points
My takeaway from Jen's post:
"...the rapid reload head might physically fit on the older models..."
Challenge accepted!
"...the rapid reload head might physically fit on the older models..."
Challenge accepted!
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26,412 Points
Two words: "spacer block". However, I verified the alignment in the picture above (in this thread) with the new head and the original line cutter, and the alignment is satisfactory for my purposes. I'm planning on doing a detailed review at some point, and I'll be sure to cover the alignment in detail. Also, I did not post a video, but there is much less vibration compared to the Echo 400 Speed Feed Head modification I did earlier (which required the spacer block):
https://community.egopowerplus.com/ego/topics/echo-speed-feed-400-head-on-15-trimmer
https://community.egopowerplus.com/ego/topics/echo-speed-feed-400-head-on-15-trimmer
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90 Points
Just received and really like this trimmer. My beef is that is states that it has a 15" trimming length...thinking 7.5" on each side. Not the case, it measures 5.25" each side to the line cutter for a total of 10.5" cutting length. How is this considered 15"?
szwoopp, Champion
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90,700 Points
the center is about 5" thus 15" total. It cuts left right front back so it is cutting a 15" path as it goes.
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90 Points
Ahhh ok, makes sense now. Thanks!
I take it there is no way to rotate the shield? I use my trimmer for about 50% flat cutting and another 50% as an edger along driveway and gardens. Using it as an edger you get a bit of debris flying up. If I could just rotate the shield a little it would be perfect...otherwise I may be shopping for a face shield.
I take it there is no way to rotate the shield? I use my trimmer for about 50% flat cutting and another 50% as an edger along driveway and gardens. Using it as an edger you get a bit of debris flying up. If I could just rotate the shield a little it would be perfect...otherwise I may be shopping for a face shield.
(Edited)
Jennifer VandeWater, Community Manager
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80,888 Points
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624 Points
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13,378 Points
I have an ST1500S, so this will work Andy? No modifications necessary?
I struggled tonight with the regular head and would love something easier.
I guess I could buy it at homedepot and return it if it doesn't work.....
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26,452 Points
Technical Review here of both heads here:
https://community.egopowerplus.com/ego/topics/technical-review-ah1500-rapid-reload-gen-2-vs-ah1300-b...
https://community.egopowerplus.com/ego/topics/technical-review-ah1500-rapid-reload-gen-2-vs-ah1300-b...
Blue Angel, Champion
Still nice to see some innovative features being added to the tools as we go. Keeping ahead of the curve! :-)
SCDC, Champion