OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Trimmers and Brushcutters Weedeater Trimmers & Brushcutters Weed Eater XT355

Hi all

I purchased one of these electric whipper snippers around 20 years ago and it has now given up the ghost. I think it may be brushes as it can be working and then you turn it slightly and it just slows down and dies. When you move it on a slightly different angle or tap it off it goes again. A little vague I know but would be interested in anyone's comments here.

This has been a brilliant unit and only used for lawn edges no real heavy stuff. In looking at the current crop they are simply cheap and nasty so I was hoping to bring this one back from the dead

Thanks in anticipation.

Peter

Assuming it is mains powered, it could be as simple as a broken wire where the cable enters the trimmer that makes contact when turned in the correct way. Try wiggling the lead at the body as well as at the socket end and see if it does the same thing. If it does replace the lead or if not comfortable with doing it, have an electrician replace it for you. If not, then you could be right about the brushes but I am not familiar with the model at all. Some photos are always a big help.

Thanks for the thought Trev and I'm comfortable that it's not an electrical fault in the lead in power cord. It had making some interesting sounds for the past 6 months or so therefore I'm guessing brushes but could be a bearing causing movement and the brushes loosing contact or something like that.

Just putting it out there.

Would buy another of these in a heart beat if one was available.

Cheers

Peter

Shouldn't be a big job to pull it apart and then you will know what the inside is like then you can go to a bearing shop and get a new set of bearings, bearings are cheap

Many thanks Norm and that's my next move.

Cheers

Solved the issues I hope.

Trev you were right it was a wire at the handle end so I simply (or not so simply as it turned out) re-wired the AC lead in which solved the problem of it cutting out on the different angles.

I had some interesting noises coming from the head/motor making me think for some reason brushes and bearings playing up. I found some up and down movement in the main spindle/shaft so I removed a small spring washer and packed an additional flat washer in there and sprayed a small amount of dry-lube on the shaft. This took the up and down movement out and appears to have stopped the noises but only time will tell.

Hunted around and found the original manual which came with the unit and shows I purchased it in 1994. Manual is good on unpacking and assembling the unit and use of it but that's about it. Happy to scan and upload it if anyone is interested.

I am kicking myself that I didn't take any photos during this process but was flying a little blind in doing this so....

Thanks to all who viewed this and Trev an Norm for the suggestions.

Cheers

Peter