How do you remove spool on toro 51346?

Answer 1

The manual is available here in PDF form:

http://www.mowersdirect.com/Toro-51346/p2902.html

Here's a review I left there for the trimmer:

TITLE:

Many tools needed (to remove spool)!!!

STORY:

Toro's big selling point for this thing is that there are "No tools needed" to remove the trimmer spool cap.

FROM THE OWNER'S MANUAL:

1. Twist the cap off counterclockwise.

2. Remove the cap & spool.

BULL!

I had to use an 18" pipe wrench and a pair of 14" Channel Locks to get the thing off! (actual sizes!) The cheap plastic cap threads warp and jam the cap on. Believe it or not, other than this, it's a pretty good homeowners trimmer... AND it takes a beating. Like the four times I threw it 30 feet in frustration. But, unless you have these huge tools and some mechanical ability, you'll be throwing it in the trash.

To remove the trimmer head: Put Channel Locks on "fins" & put pipe wrench on cap. Use as much force as a herd of elephants and turn counterclockwise. Just when your eyeballs are about to shoot out of your skull, the cap should loosen. When I reassembled it, I sprayed the threads with WD-40 and then LOADED ALL THE THREADS with bearing grease. I used a lot so to try to keep dirt from getting through the grease and onto the threads themselves. I will have to wait until I have to change the string again to find out if this helps. Hopefully I will never have to!

One last thing: Thanks Mowers Direct for having the owner's manual available!

ANOTHER USER'S METHOD:

Using a small canister of WD-40 with the straw attachment, squirt a small amount between the cutting head and the spool edge, allowing to seep into the spool's thread area. Slowly rotate the spool/cutting head to allow the WD-40 to seep in along the edge of the spool. I used about 5 squirts to cover the spool circumference. Let sit for a couple of minutes, then twist off.

Another user: just seconding the above method. WD 40 is the trick! Even if you dont have the straw attachment, use short sprays on the part where the spool would screw off. Flip the unit upside down so it gets through the threads. Do this a couple of times and leave it alone for a few minutes. It comes off so easily. I did try with the wrench and it almost made me cry. Just remember to grease the threads before you put it back on. Good luck!