I acquired this older Black & Decker Hedge trimmer and it seems to have a special kind of cord. Any idea where I could find this cord or what its called? I have not been able to even figure out what the cord looks like yet.

UPDATE: I cut off the extra plastic to get access to plug it in and the tool doesn’t even work anyways. Time for the garbage.

126 points
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I had one of those for years. A standard, outdoor rated extension cord will plug right into the back of that trimmer. Bring it with you to the hardware store to make sure the female plug fits into the recess.

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22 points

This

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21 points

Guy

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19 points

Isn’t that just a normal North America plug? Most lawn equipment was set up to use standard extension cords so that cables didn’t have to be unique.

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3 points

A regular extension cord doesn’t fit so far but I’ll check out the store and see the other options. Thanks.

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4 points
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Does it look like the prongs have dropped into the case further than they’re supposed to be? My old trimmer was very similar but the prongs stuck out quite a bit more so that you could use any regular old extension cord on it. I’d try gently pulling on the prongs to see if you can get them out of that recess in the plastic. People are suggesting using an ungrounded cord but I don’t think they’re very common or easy to find.

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1 point

I tried to pull them out but they don’t seem to move. I’ll try harder if I can’t find a cord. Thanks!

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1 point

No, it is just different enough that a regular socket won’tly fit. It is close enough that the special cord can be used for other things.

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18 points

Any extension cord without a grounding lug would work. Take it to the store and try them out until you find one that fits.

I had this exact trimmer, I would use a piece of twine to tie the cord to the trimmer so I didn’t lose it constantly; those lock tabs don’t work very well, or maybe it was just the cord I had.

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8 points

One with a lug works. There is space below.

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-3 points

Look again. The lug is the same length as the tines. Where’s it going to go as the plug is inserted?

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6 points

Nowhere - the female end of the cord is what goes in the recess.

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6 points

It’s a normal plug and a standard extension cord should fit even though it looks weird (I have the same trimmer and many tools with similar plugs in my garage right now haha). The plastic around the female side on the extension cord just can’t be too large or weirdly shaped so that it’ll fit in the gap, but otherwise should be good.

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2 points

Okay I’ll have to check out the store. All of my extension cords are too big to fit in there. Thought there was going to be some proprietary thing. Thanks!

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3 points

Of course and enjoy the new tool!

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2 points

Nothing proprietary. It’s just not easy to find a cord that doesn’t have the big bump that will be in your way for a ground.

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5 points

Looks like it’s just for an extension cord. They probably make a fancy proprietary Black & Decker one for this but any regular cord that will fit should work fine

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2 points

None of mine fit but I’ll look for one that does. Thanks!

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4 points

Looking at it more I think they did it that way so when you put a regular cord in the plug is protected and the extra spaces on top and bottom are the get your fingers in to unplug it.

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