Trimmer Spool or Spool Cap How to Tell Which to Buy

A trimmer line spool and a spool cap are two different parts, and it's easy to mix them up and buy the wrong one.

The AC14RL3A spool is the reel you wind line on. It comes pre-wound with nylon trimmer line, with arrows on the spool face marking the feed direction. The AC14HCA cap snaps over the outside of the spool, guiding the line out and sealing the head.

How do you know which to replace? Look at the wear. If the line is used up, the spool body is cracked, or the line won't feed right, that's usually the spool. If the cap is cracked, won't close, or its tab is worn down and the line snags, that's the cap. Take the old part off and compare it with the new one before you install.

If it still snags after reassembly, the line direction is probably backwards. The arrows on the spool face show the winding direction, and the cap opening and tab have to follow it.

Not sure which you need? Send the part number of the part on your trimmer and we'll confirm the match.