Black & Decker MM675 Lawn Hog 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Mulching Mower, Flip-Handle

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Product Description

Amazon.com Buying Guide

Five Tips for Buying a Mower
Choosing a lawn mower is a matter of sifting through a bewildering array of types, power ratings, and fuel sources. Let’s break it down a little to make the process easier.

What types of walk-behind mowers are there?
There are four basic choices: push reel, electric, cordless, and gas. All have strengths and weaknesses.

• Push reel mowers are powered by you. They’re quiet, they don’t need cords or recharging, and they don’t pollute. But on large lawns, you might not want the workout you get when using a push reel mower. They also tend to be less effective on grass taller than two inches.
• Electric mowers need to be plugged into an outlet to power them, which means you’re constrained by the location of power outlets, the length of your power cord, and any obstacles that may snag the cord. If you have a small yard but don’t want the forced exercise of using a push reel mower, an electric mower may be for you.
• Cordless mowers are powered by a rechargeable battery. You don’t have to deal with the hassles of keeping a cord plugged in, but battery life becomes a constraint. Depending on the battery capacity, the size of your yard, and the height of your grass, you may not be able to complete your mowing job on one charge.
• Gas mowers offer the most power, which is best if you’ll be mowing tall, dense grass or if your yard is larger than 2,000 square feet. But you will have to keep gas and oil on hand as well as keep the engine serviced.

What do all the power measurements mean?
All that matters to you is whether the lawn mower’s blade will spin fast enough to cut your grass. Unfortunately, mowers are rated in far more technical terms.

For gas mowers, there are three power measurements you may see:

• horsepower (hp) refers to the amount of power the engine can produce;
• torque is the amount of horsepower that is transferred to the blade;
• cc (cubic centimeters) is another to measure an engine’s power based on the displacement volume of its cylinders.

There also are two types of engines: two-stroke (also referred to as two-cycle) and four-stroke (or four-cycle). Conventional wisdom is that two-stroke engines offer more power but also more pollution.
For electric and cordless mowers, power often is measured in volts, amps, or watts. To satisfy your inner techie, here’s how to calculate the horsepower:
1. Multiply the volts by the amps to get the wattage.
2. Divide the wattage by 746 to get the horsepower.

More horsepower doesn’t always mean more cutting power. That’s why, starting in 2007, most lawnmower manufacturers began rating walk-behind lawn mowers in torque power or cc’s--not horsepower. If torque isn’t available for a gas mower, higher cc figures usually mean higher torque (and more fuel used per stroke, incidentally).

However, you don’t want to buy a mower based on the power measurement alone. Make sure it has the features, warranty, and quality of reviews you’re seeking.

What features should I look for?

• Cutting Deck
  This refers to the blade housing. The wider the cutting deck, the fewer passes it will take to mow a given area. However, consider how many obstacles there are in your yard. The wider the deck, the tougher it may be to fit the mower into tight spaces.
  

• Mulching and Bagging
  Want to collect your clippings? Choose a mower with a rear- or side-bag option. Want to leave clippings on the lawn as fertilizer? Get a mower that mulches. A "3-in-1" mower will mulch, bag, or side-discharge.
  

• Wheels
  Larger wheels mean easier handling, especially over rough terrain. If you can, go with at least 7-inch-diameter wheels in the rear--larger if your yard is hilly or uneven. Some higher-end mowers have front wheels on casters, which gives you an extremely tight turning radius.
  

• Height Adjustment
  Most mowers allow you to adjust the distance between the blade and the ground. Think about how much range you really need.
  

• Safety
  Many newer rotary machines are available with a lever or bar that must be depressed to keep the mower running (some models include a handy blade-brake that lets you release the lever without killing the engine).
  Also, look for models with a rubber flap at the back to block objects thrown from the blades. You should always wear safety goggles when mowing and follow all the manufacturer’s safety instructions regardless of the mower you’re using.
  

• Batteries
  If you’re buying a cordless mower, think about how long it will run on a single charge. Most batteries take several hours to recharge, so you want to make sure it’s going to get the job done before it runs out of juice. As a rule of thumb, a typical 24-volt mower will run up to one-and-a-half hours and cut up to a third of an acre; a 36-volt mower will go for three hours and cut up to a half an acre.
  

• Cord holder
  A cord holder is useful for keeping the cord of your electric mower out of the way when you make turns.
  

• Starters
  Gas mowers are available either with recoil (pull-cord) or electric starters. Newer recoil motors start much quicker than those you remember from summers past. However, go with electric if you can afford it: your mower will start with the push of a button or the turn of a key.
  

• Self-propelled or push?
  A self-propelled mower moves forward without you having to push it. All you have to do is steer. If you have a relatively flat lawn, save a few bucks by skipping this feature. However, if your landscape has a slope or an irregular contour, a self-propelled model may be the best choice. Rear-wheel drive tends to offer better traction.
  

• Variable Speed
  If you want a self-propelled mower, look for models with variable speed. This feature allows you to make adjustments within a continuous range so you can find the exact speed that’s comfortable for you.

What servicing and maintenance is necessary?
Always buy a mower that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty and follow the manufacturer’s routine maintenance instructions for

• Cleaning the mower after usage;
• Keeping the blade sharp;
• Keeping the engine tuned up (gas mowers); and
• Keeping the battery charged (cordless mowers).

While Amazon.com does not accept returns on gas-powered mowers, the manufacturer’s Website or product manual will list the nearest service center.

What does CARB-compliant mean?
CARB is an acronym for California Air Resource Board, whose stringent air-quality standards have been adopted by many states. If your state requires compliance for gas mowers, confirm that your model is CARB-certified before you buy. While CARB-compliant mowers run cleaner than noncompliant models, they still emit pollutants. If you want to go green, an electric or push reel mower is the way to go.

Amazon.com Product Review

Bravo to Black & Decker for two great innovations on this electric mower. First, the flip-over handle! You get to the end of a pass, flip the handle and head back the other way in an instant. Next, users will especially appreciate the one-touch lever that raises and lowers all four wheels at once from 1 inch to 3-1/2 inches, saving the trouble of adjusting each wheel’s height. It’s about time. In addition, the electric 12-amp motor means hassle-free starting, no gas/oil mixes, no fumes, less noise, and no battery to charge. The cushioned handle adjusts for the user’s height, another nice touch not available on most mowers. It mulches beautifully, but if you prefer, you can purchase a side bag. Electric mowers have their naysayers, but if you’re in the market for one, you can’t beat this.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

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Product Details

Product Manual [3.12mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 33 x 21.5 x 15.4 inches ; 53 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 53.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• Note: Gift-wrapping is not available for this item.
• ASIN: B00005AKZH
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: MM675
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (203 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,443 in Home Improvement (See Bestsellers in Home Improvement)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

158 of 165 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars heavier than I thought, but still very useable, September 23, 2001

By	Pierre Clement "pierrecito" (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

buying on the internet is always scary. So far, I've relyied on other peoples review on Amazon. This time, I feel like I must to help a few people out.

First, my co-workers were skeptical about an electric mower, but I've had the experience in the past.

Here are some of the benefits:
- you can look under your mower by flipping it over and not worry about gaz or oil leaks.
- grass is cut from end to end of a yard easier with the flip handle than those that don't. (that should include all gaz mowers) Instead of closing in on the middle of your lawn, you start on one end and finish at the other end. (I like it)
- this mower doesn't retain anything underneath. I didn't know that some mowers would do that. From my previous experiences, you had to clean up the mower every couple of use.
- height adjustment is super simple.
- electronic brake. If you release the power (bar!), the blade stops in a micro second. This is great for safety.
- no smells of any sort (except first few minutes being a new electrical product)

I wouldn't trade it, and my yard is not small.

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Much better than a gasoline.mower., April 5, 2001

By	"cmarte" (New Hyde Park, NY United States) - See all my reviews

The MM675 Lawn Hog is my first electric lawn mower. All comparisons are therefore with my previous gasoline lawn mowers. My lawn is less than 3500 square feet. It was very easy to assemble. The first thing after assembling was a very simple pull of one lever to adjust cutting height. I followed the instructions for starting to mow closest to the outlet while leaving enough slack cord to extend to the furthest distance to be mowed to. Attention had to be paid to the cord, so as not to run the mower over it. Unlike my gasoline mower it started quietly and easily at the simple pull of a lever. I started in the first lane and upon reaching the end of this lane I easily maneuved to the second lane while flipping the handle. I proceeded to complete the entire lawn in this manner. Because it was so easy to start the mower and switch to the next lane, I was not as tired when I finished as when I used a gasoline mower. The trade off is paying attention to an extension cord vs. easy start, no gasoline, no oil, low noise and less stress on my body. Only because I have not had it that long did I fail to give it five stars. I don't know how much maintenance it will require nor how much power it will have to mow heavily growing grass later in the season. But, because of previous pleasent experiences with other Black and Decker products I expect both of these questions to be answered positively and this to be a five star product.

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mowing Nirvana, September 2, 2003

By	True believer (New England) - See all my reviews

The Lawn Hog has been an absolute revelation! I've never had a better mowing experience. I've been using it for about six weeks and thought I'd share my insights.

What I love about this mower:
1. I can stand up straight when I use it. I'm 6'2", and many power tools seem to be designed for someone shorter -- I always have to bend over when using them: e.g., my rototiller and string trimmer. Not the Lawn Hog -- the handle is adjustable so that even someone as tall as me can walk straight while operating it.
2. It's quiet.
3. It's electric -- no more exhaust fumes.
4. Last, but not least -- the quality of the cut is superb! Very even, the grass looks the best it ever has. The wheel marks left by the mower are minimal, and usually disappear completely withing a day or two, because the Lawn Hog is so lightweight.

I have a big yard, and prior to purchasing this mower I owned a good quality lawn tractor. My yard is hilly, and in places the lawn tractor was very difficult to use -- the front wheels would slide, I would have to back up, change my angle, try again... it was very frustrating. The lawn tractor had a 32" cutting swath.

The Lawn Hog, even with only an 18" cutting swath, is a vast improvement.

The flip-handle works perfectly, and is very easy to use. It makes dealing with electric extension cords a breeze. I bought 2 100' 12 gauge extension cords due to the size of my yard. 12 gauge costs a little more than 14 gauge, but it will result in longer electric motor life, so it's worth it.

The key points about using this mower are as follows:
1. Keep the cutting blade sharp. I sharpen it after every three or four uses.
2. Don't try to cut off too much grass! Expert lawn caretakers will all tell you not to cut off more than the top third of the grass. If you want to end up with a lawn that's 2 inches tall, you'll have to cut it when it's no longer than 3 inches. As long as you stick to this rule of thumb, the Lawn Hog works great! If your grass is taller and you want it shorter, start by cutting off the top third, then mow again a few days later, and work your way down to the desired final length. The Lawn Hog will work effectively, and your grass will love you for it.
3. Don't try to cut wet grass! All mowers bog down when cutting wet grass. Mulching mowers have an even more difficult time. If you must cut the grass when it's wet, don't try to mulch it -- open the discharge chute.

This mower is quiet, relatively light, and a great value. If you've been thinking about going electric, this could be the one.