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Black & Decker Lawn Hog 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Mulching Mower #MM575 | List Price: $340.95
Discount Price: $184.99
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Brand: Black & Decker
Binding: Tools & Hardware
Features: - 18-inch electric mower for mulching, discharging, and bagging with the optional side bag assembly
- 12 amp motor; one-touch deck adjustment offers 1-1/4 to to-3-1/2-inch clearance (7 steps)
- Cutting deck made of super-tough polymer
- No assembly required; mulching insert included; bag assembly for side discharging sold separately
- 33 by 21.5 by 15.4 inches; 47 pounds; lifetime guarantee on mower deck; 2-year guarantee on mower
Quiet, powerful little mower! [Posted on 2008-06-19]
Pros: Quiet, Light-weight, No Gas or Oil!!!
Cons: The start switch seems a little flimsy
Let me get this part out of the way:
The cord is a pain, but you will learn ways to make it easier. It's the price you pay for the reduced weight that is associated with the cordless, battery-operated mowers. And the cord (I used 14-gauge with good results) is pricey for 100ft (~$65)
Having said that:
I just finished mowing my 1/4-acre lawn with this mower for the first time and it was a pretty good experience.
I did not have to wear ear protection like I did with my gas mower. It's not silent, but it's quieter than most vacuum cleaners I've used. My wife even came out to ask why I hadn't started, when I was half way through the front yard. :) It was also nice not to smell like gas and oil when I was finished.
This mower is so light, that I found myself pushing with one hand and holding the cord with the other. I can see why some other reviewers had their neighbors tease them about 'sweeping the lawn' Also there is not NEARLY as much vibration through the handle as I had with the gas mower. This was a source of fatigue for me and would make my hands tingle for an hour after I finished mowing with the gas mower.
The design of the mower is fairly decent. I had no problems with the cut-height adjustment feature. It seems a little flimsy, but worked fine. This is also true of the 'dead-man's-throttle' start switch. When you are pushing and shifting your hand around on the handlebar, the switch moves around somewhat, and I'll have to see how long it holds up. It's not too bad, just could be better. The majority of the mower (handlebar excluded) is made of moderately thick plastic, probably to reduce weight, but I have to wait and see if the plastic is sufficient over the years. The mulching ability was great. Took my 4-inch tall grass down around 2-inches and left very few visible clippings on top.
The Verdict:
I am very happy with this mower after my first use. My ears don't ring, my hands don't tingle, and my back doesn't ache. I can't say much about the how long it will last, but I think it will last a while. That is why I only gave it 4 out of 5 stars. If I can come back in 3-5 years and still say the good things I've said about it, I will give it the 5th star. I would definitely recommend it but ONLY if your yard is smaller and every corner of your yard is within ~125 feet of an outlet.
still a great machine [Posted on 2008-06-23]
I have had a Black and Decker electric mower for years now. However, my old mower hasn't been holding up so well these days, so I purchased a new one. It is a slightly different model with 12 amps instead of the 9 I had before. This model has also been updated and the newer features make it more user friendly. The cord receptacle is pointed in a different direction, so the cord is less likely to come unplugged during use. Also, this model has a single lever to raise or lower all four wheels at once. I don't usually change the setting, but the wheels on the old model had a tendency to come loose and occasionally fall off before I got around to tightening the screws again. I'm hoping that the new design will make that less likely to happen.
I like using the electric mower. It doesn't cost much electricity to mow, you don't have to buy/spill/clean-up gas or oil, and there is far less noise and air pollution to use this mower vs. a gas mower. It is also lighter-weight and easier to push. It takes some time to get used to mowing with a cord, but I have been doing so for years, so I am used to it. I have a big yard, so I wouldn't have enough battery time to use a cordless electric mower. If you have a smaller yard, then you might want to explore that route. I wrap the cord over my shoulders to keep it out of the way of the mower. I have also learned to mow differently than my father did when I was growing up. He always mowed in concentric circles; if you do that with a corded mower, you will wear yourself out flipping the cord out of your way. I also got used to mowing a bit more like using a vacuum cleaner with my old mower, but that doesn't work (yet) with this mower, because the back rubber flap hasn't broken off like the other one did years ago, so pulling the mower backwards doesn't cut very well.
Both the old model and this model are mulching mowers. I will never buy one that isn't. I have lots of leaves in my yard in the fall, but the mulching blade chews them up and I don't have to bag anything and then carry it to the lawn waste place in town.
As I said, I have had a mower like this for years. When it needed to be repaired, I had to find someone who worked on small electric motors rather than the usual gas engine. The fan blades that cool the motor had broken off. After I had it replaced once by the mechanic, I ended up replacing the same part two or three more times after hitting enough sweet gum balls, a raised brick in my yard and a hidden one in my neighbor's yard when I did her a favor, etc. I haven't looked to see if the same part is the weak plastic that the old one has.
Good Decision [Posted on 2008-06-30]
I changed from a gas lawn mower to this electric one, and like it better because: It starts so easily, is better for the environment, and is light weight. In hindsight, I would have bought the 14-gauge cord at Amazon, too. (I bought it at a local hardward store @ about $43, and it was about $37 at Amazon.) Having the cord attached does require a bit of maneuvering, but is doable. I'm glad I got the mower.
Lawn hog lover [Posted on 2008-07-07]
I love the lawn hog. It has its applications (small lawns). Light weight and so easy to use. This is my 3rd one and not my last.
Buying a third one [Posted on 2008-07-13]
My first one was stolen. I just killed the second one by hitting a stump and bending the shaft after3 years of use. Mine have been dependable and well behaved.
The cord issue just takes practice and works best (in a square or rectangular yard) if you coil the cord in a corner and start there working diagonally across the yard to the corner to corner cut the back to the far corner. Also keeping the blade sharp is key, I use the Dremel kit on mine about once a month. The low noise, light weight, lack of exhaust, no gas or oil to buy and store, super easy starting, make it a personal favorite.
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