DeWalt Quickload Dual Line Trimmer Spool Head

What it is and who it’s for

DeWalt’s Quickload head is a cartridge-style replacement spool for the brand’s cordless string trimmers that promises faster line changes without taking the head apart. If you’ve ever fumbled with springs and spools in the grass, the idea is immediately appealing: feed line straight through, twist the cap, and get back to cutting. It comes pre-wound with dual .080-inch line, accepts both .080 and .095, and is intended for the current family of DeWalt 20V/60V trimmers. I ran it on a 20V compact trimmer for light trimming and edging and on a 60V unit for heavier work around fence lines and thicker weeds.

Setup and compatibility

On my DeWalt trimmers, the swap was quick. The head threads on like the factory unit, and there’s no disassembly required to load the first time because it ships with line installed. That said, this is not a universal head with a bag of adapters. It’s designed around DeWalt’s spindle spec, and the compatible models are clearly listed (DCST972, DCST922, DCST925, DCST920, DCST970). If your trimmer isn’t on that list—or if you have an older unit with a different arbor—don’t assume it will fit. Check your spindle thread and rotation direction before you open the package.

Two practical notes from install:
- The cap is left-hand thread relative to the spindle. Hold the shaft lock firmly to avoid fighting the gearbox.
- Don’t crank the cap down against the bump surface; snug is enough. Over-tightening can make the cap feel sticky during line advance.

The Quickload mechanism

The headline feature is the twist-to-wind reload. With the eyelets clocked straight through, you push a single length of line through both ports until the ends are centered and even, then twist the top cap clockwise to wind. It’s surprisingly fast once you’ve done it a couple of times. No spring jumping into the flower bed, no aligning notches while juggling two tag ends.

A few loading tips that made a difference:
- Keep tension on the line as you twist so coils lay tight and even.
- Don’t overfill. The stated capacity is up to 20 feet of .080 line; that’s realistic. With .095, 15–18 feet is safer. Overstuffing is the fastest route to jams and auto-feed issues.
- Cut both tag ends flush and equal when you finish winding. Mis-matched lengths can encourage one side to weld or pull out sooner.

In the cut: feed and performance

The bump-feed mechanism on the Quickload head is familiar: tap on the ground at speed, the ratchet releases a measured bit of line, and the built-in cutter trims the excess. When the spool is loaded cleanly, mine fed predictably. I could bump once to restore the cutting diameter and keep walking without babying it.

On the 20V trimmer with .080 line, it’s a tidy, lawn-focused setup. It trims grass and edges beds with minimal drag. The lighter line is quieter and sips battery, but it scuffs down faster against concrete. On the 60V with .095, the head is happier chewing through thicker grass and occasional stalky weeds. You trade a touch more noise and load on the motor for longer intervals between bumps and fewer mid-job reloads.

Where things can go wrong is almost always connected to winding and maintenance:
- If line keeps extending on its own, the spool is likely overfilled, the coils aren’t tight, or debris is preventing the ratchet from fully engaging. Empty, clean, and re-wind with less line and firmer tension.
- If you’re not getting any feed on bump, look at cap wear and spring action. A mushroomed bump cap or packed dust will blunt the ratchet’s movement. A light cleaning usually restores function.

One behavior worth calling out: edging on concrete will flatten the bump knob quickly. It’s made from fairly hard plastic, but if you drag it along pavers you’ll wear it faster than you expect. Keep the head at an angle so the line does the work, and bump on soil or turf rather than the curb.

Durability and maintenance

The head body is compact and balanced, and there’s no obvious weight penalty compared to the stock unit. Vibration stayed low even with .095 line as long as I wound evenly. After several weeks of mixed trimming and weekly edging, the cap showed normal scuffing but remained functional. I did need to pop it off once to clear grass slurry that packed around the ratchet; the internal layout is simple and it cleans up with a brush and compressed air.

Things to watch over the season:
- Bump cap wear. If you edge a lot on abrasive surfaces, plan on inspecting the cap face regularly. Avoid hard impacts; quick, light taps are more effective and easier on the parts.
- Eyelet condition. Burrs or nicks at the exits will chew line and encourage welding. A quick pass with fine sandpaper keeps them smooth.
- Heat buildup. Continuous heavy cutting with tightly packed .095 can soften the outer wraps and cause line welding. Giving the head a few seconds off the throttle between long cuts helps, and better-quality line also resists welding.

The 3-year limited warranty and 90-day return window are generous for a consumable accessory. Still, this is a plastic head that lives against dirt, concrete, and wire fences. Treat it like a wear part.

Line choices and runtime

You can run .080 or .095 in this head. My take:
- .080: Best for small yards and frequent edging. It’s efficient on battery life, trims cleanly, and you can carry a pre-cut 20-foot length in a pocket to reload mid-job.
- .095: Better for thicker lawns, ditches, and fence lines. It survives accidental contact with chain link and rough bark longer, but it shortens runtime on compact trimmers.

“20 feet” is a realistic max for .080. With .095, I preferred loading shorter lengths to keep the wind tight and avoid jams. If you need more aggressive material or cut saplings regularly, a fixed-line or blade head is a better match than any bump-feed design.

Ergonomics and balance

The Quickload head is roughly the size of the stock DeWalt cartridge (about 3 inches across), and the center of mass sits close to the gearbox. I didn’t notice additional nose weight or wobble. Compared to some universal retrofit heads, it’s lighter and better balanced, which translates to less hand fatigue over a full yard.

Noise and vibration are more a function of line size and length than the head itself. Keep the cutting diameter within the guard’s notch, and the trimmer runs smoother and quieter.

What I’d change

• Include thread adapters or, at minimum, a clear thread spec on the packaging. DeWalt lists compatible models, but users with earlier trimmers or different gearboxes would benefit from knowing exactly what spindle this head expects.
• Offer a more abrasion-resistant bump cap. It’s the wear point, and even a small upgrade here would extend service life for folks who edge along sidewalks weekly.
• Add subtle direction arrows on the cap for winding and bump direction. The mechanism is intuitive after one use, but the first reload goes faster with a visual cue.

Practical tips

• Cut a batch of 20-foot lengths ahead of time and stash them in your tool bag. Reloads truly take under a minute when the line is pre-cut.
• Spin the head at full speed before the first bump after a reload. Centrifugal force seats the coils and reduces the chance of a false feed.
• If you switch between .080 and .095, keep separate lengths coiled and labeled. Mixing them on the spool is a recipe for uneven feeding.

Recommendation

I recommend the Quickload head to DeWalt cordless trimmer owners who want faster, cleaner reloads and prefer the convenience of a purpose-built cartridge over heavier universal heads. It installs easily on the listed models, the twist-to-wind system works as advertised when you observe the line capacity, and bump-feed performance is consistent with proper winding and light maintenance. The main caveats are compatibility—this isn’t a universal head—and cap wear if you edge on concrete. If your trimmer is on the supported list and you’re willing to treat the bump cap as a consumable part, it’s a worthwhile upgrade that saves time and frustration every time you run out of line. If you need a head to fit multiple brands or you routinely cut material better suited to blades, look elsewhere.