DeWalt String Trimmer Attachment

By the time I finished my first pass around the fence line, I knew the DeWalt trimmer attachment had the right mix of reach and cut quality for a typical suburban yard. It’s a straightforward attachment that turns a compatible power head into a capable string trimmer, and while it isn’t trying to be fancy, it hits most of the notes that matter: easy line changes, a useful adjustable swath, and a shaft length that gets under shrubs without crouching.

Setup and compatibility

I ran the attachment on a DeWalt attachment-capable 60V head and also checked fit on DeWalt’s attachment edger power head. The coupler interface is standard for the brand and locks with a collar and latch. Installation took seconds—line up the splines, slide in until it seats, and tighten the clamp. I’d recommend a firm hand on the clamp screw; a slightly loose coupler can allow a hint of rotation under heavy load. Once set, it held solidly for me.

DeWalt bills this as “universal,” and it may mate to other attachment-capable systems that share the same coupler profile, but I’d strongly suggest confirming fit before you assume cross-brand compatibility. On DeWalt heads, balance and power delivery felt right.

Cutting performance

With the guard and head set for a 15-inch cut, the attachment is precise around planters and delicate beds. Bumping out to the 17-inch capacity speeds up open-area trimming along fences and around trees. That extra 2 inches doesn’t sound like much, but it noticeably widens the arc and reduces overlap on long runs.

On grass and typical lawn weeds, the standard dual .080-inch line performed well. It slices cleanly and maintains head speed on mid-power settings. For thicker stalks, ditch edges, or long, wiry weeds, swapping to .095-inch line makes a difference. The thicker line carries more momentum and holds up better when it hits rough bark or chain-link. The trade-off is increased load on the power head and a bit more line drag, so expect slightly reduced runtime and a tad more vibration.

The bump-feed mechanism is consistent. A light tap quickly advanced line, and I rarely needed more than one bump to restore the cutting diameter. On one very dusty day, the head got a little stubborn and advanced less freely; a quick clean and a touch of dry lubricant on the spool lip brought it back to normal. The gearbox stayed quiet and smooth the whole time—no chatter or hot spots.

QuickLoad head and line changes

The QuickLoad spool is the headline convenience feature. Stringing line takes under a minute once you’ve done it a time or two. Feed the line straight through the ports until equal on both sides, then twist the head to wind. It’s much faster than splitting the head apart and hand-winding coils. With .095-inch line, threading the initial pass-through is slightly fussier because of the stiffness, but it still goes without tools.

Capacity is appropriate for the swath size; I could get through multiple trims on .080-inch line without refilling. The head’s wear surfaces look durable, but I’ll add a note for long-term maintenance: the outer cap is a high-wear part on any bump head. I found basic replacement components for the QuickLoad head, but not every small piece is as easy to source as I’d like. It’s worth picking up an extra cap and spring if you rely on the tool weekly.

Ergonomics and reach

The straight shaft is the right call here. It extends reach under hedges and along steep ditches, and it gives better line-of-sight to the cut than a curved shaft. With the 60V power head, the overall package is a bit front-heavy, which I actually prefer for trimming because the head wants to stay down, reducing wrist fatigue. The vibration level was low and didn’t creep up even after a longer session at the 17-inch setting.

The guard is a reasonable compromise between protection and visibility. It includes a line cutter to keep your swath in check and does a respectable job deflecting debris. You’ll still get some blowback with wet grass or at wide-open throttle—glasses and long sleeves are a good idea.

Adjustability and control

Switching between the 15- and 17-inch cuts is simple and practical. The narrower 15-inch swath excels for tight areas and reduces the chance you’ll nick siding or fencing. The 17-inch setting increases productivity on open ground and fence lines. I used the wider diameter for most field edges and switched back to 15 inches for around air-conditioning units and mulched beds.

Because this is an attachment system, throttle behavior, speed ranges, and runtime depend on your power head. With a brushless 60V head, I ran on a mid-high speed for most tasks and only cranked up for heavy patches with .095 line. If you have a multi-speed head, you’ll find a comfortable low-power setting that preserves runtime for lighter trimming.

Build quality and durability

The shaft and gearbox feel sturdy for residential and light commercial use. I noticed no binding or unexpected flex under normal loads. Like any long, straight-shaft trimmer, you can induce a little torsional flex if you really lean into woody material at the 17-inch setting, so let the line do the work. Keep the guard on—running guardless to squeeze out an extra inch or two isn’t worth the mess, and you’ll chew through line faster.

The head’s plastic stands up well to scuffs from concrete and pavers. After a few weeks, mine showed normal cosmetic wear but no structural issues. I did wish the head components were labeled with clear part numbers for easy ordering; that would make maintenance simpler over the long haul.

Maintenance and support

Beyond cleaning packed grass from the head and guard, the attachment asks very little. A periodic dab of light grease in the drive end is good practice, and I blow out the head with compressed air at the end of a dusty day. The QuickLoad design keeps you out of the head internals unless you’re replacing parts.

The warranty coverage is reassuring: a 3-year limited warranty with a 90-day return window. That’s in line with what I expect for this category.

Pros

• QuickLoad head makes re-spooling fast and tool-free
• Adjustable swath (15–17 inches) suits both precision and productivity
• Compatible with both .080 and .095 line for flexibility
• Straight shaft offers excellent reach and visibility
• Smooth, reliable bump-feed under normal conditions
• Guard provides solid debris control without killing sightlines

Cons

• Coupler clamp needs to be snugged properly to prevent minor rotation under heavy load
• Replacement head components, especially the outer cap, aren’t as easy to source as I’d like
• Wider 17-inch setting increases load and vibration with .095 line on smaller power heads

Who it’s for

If you’re already in DeWalt’s attachment-capable ecosystem and want a capable trimmer without buying a dedicated unit, this attachment makes a lot of sense. It covers weekly lawn work with ease and has enough headroom, especially with .095 line, to handle tougher patches. Homeowners with medium to large properties and pros who need a backup trimmer head in the trailer will appreciate the speed of line changes and the reach of the straight shaft.

If your trimming leans heavily into brush or saplings, you’ll still want a brush cutter or a fixed-blade head. And if you’re mixing brands across an attachment system, confirm coupler compatibility before you commit.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt trimmer attachment for users invested in DeWalt’s attachment-capable power heads who value fast line changes, an adjustable cutting swath, and straightforward, reliable performance. It’s a well-executed attachment that does the core job cleanly and efficiently. My only caveats are to snug the coupler clamp firmly and plan ahead for wear parts on the bump head. With those minor considerations in mind, it’s an easy attachment to live with and a practical way to expand a power head into a full-featured trimmer.