| | |  | Small Animals | Home » » » Black & Decker MM675 Lawn Hog 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Mulching Mower, Flip-Handle | | | | | | | Description: | | 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. | | | Features: | |
• Powerful 12 Amp motor
• 18-inch cutting path; 100-foot range
• 1-lever height adjustment that adjusts all four wheels at once from 1 to 3-1/2 inches
• No gas, oil, or tune-ups to worry about; weighs only 46 pounds
• Limited lifetime warranty on deck; 2-year limited warranty on everything else; includes attachable side-chute
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 33.0 inches | | Product Width:
| 21.5 inches | | Product Height:
| 15.38 inches | | Product Weight:
| 53.0 pounds | | Package Length:
| 32.3 inches | | Package Width:
| 21.5 inches | | Package Height:
| 16.0 inches | | Package Weight:
| 53.6 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 216 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Good electric mowerJul 10, 2010
This is the second electric, corded mower I have owned-the first was a metal-decked MTD. I actually liked the MTD alot and had it for many years until its final demise, despite the rough treatment I gave it. The MTD was not available and so I picked up the B & D. I've been happy with it. I really like the single lever wheel height adjustment and the mower is powerful enough-not as strong as a gas mower, certainly-but adequate if mowing is done every week or 10 days. I use the mower without a chute/bag in the mulching mode and it does a good job of mulching (no clippings visible). Another reviewer spoke of problems with the flip handle. I don't use the flip feature for going back and forth without turning the mower (I think it would be too time consuming) I just turn the mower conventionally and it works fine. There is no pushing problem that I have noticed due the flip feature.
I think the B & D MM675 is a good mower within the limits of a corded electric (cord moving being the main issue, power a lesser issue for me).
 Good but could be betterJun 13, 2010
I have had the lawnmower for about two years now.
PROS:
1. Cuts well
2. Easy to use.
3. Flip handle
CONS:
1. The bag has started to fall apart and will not last much longer.
2. The bag at the side makes it difficult to pass through small openings.
3. The cord is always in the way. (design issue)
Perhaps this lawnmower is best for open area, no grade or obstructions. Just something about the design that is not right. I plan to keep it another year and purchase something else.
A Sturdy, Low Maintenance Mower for a Moderate Sized Yard (1 year of use)Jun 08, 2010
A year of use has demonstrated the prowess of this lawn mower. Not only has it been able to cut the grass time and again with ease, the maintenance has been minimal. As with any corded mower, cord management is something to take into account and is part of ownership. Other write-ups review tactics - here I'll focus on the benefits and drawbacks of ownership.
Benefits:
* Light weight
* Ease of starting
* Single handle height adjustment
* Ease of blade removal
* Flip over handle (aids in cord management)
* Noise level (quiet)
* Low energy consumption (relative to gas mowers)
Drawbacks:
* Cord management
* Width of the mower
* Handle height
Overall, I give this mower 4 stars with the caveat being its width and the handle height. Eighteen inches is a bit narrow. The engineers may argue that 18" is all the motor could handle. While they are probably correct, I keep the blade very sharp which aids in the mower's ability to make its way through thick and/or deep grass. The other issue, handle height, refers to the height of the handle when I stand behind it. The handle falls at my waist (I'm 6'1") and it if were a bit higher, pushing and control would be easier.
The benefits far outweight the drawbacks. The weight (light) makes pushing easy. The no-brainer starting (just pull the handle) takes the frustration out of priming and tuning a gas engine. The height adjustment is very user friendly (1 lever and all 4 wheels rise and fall). The flip over handle makes for easier cord management. The mower is quiet (relative to a gas mower). The low energy consumption and lack of gas/oil makes for simple maintenance and removes gas storage as part of the equation.
The only appreciable maintenance is to sharpen the blade every 4-6 uses. A quick turn of a ¾" while holding the blade still with vice-grips twists the blade off so I can remove nicks with the Dremel and hone a fine edge with a circular diamond file.
If you decide to purchase / use this mower, I'd recommend purchasing a quality outdoor extension cord. Don't skimp here because if the mower can't pull the power through the cord (too much resistance), it won't run strong. I'd recommend at minimum of 12 gauge in a bright color (easier to spot & not run over) and no more than 100 feet. See the link below for a great cord.
Yellow Jacket 2885 12/3 Heavy-Duty 15-Amp SJTW Contractor Extension Cord with Lighted Ends, 100-Feet
Excellent mower but could be easier to pushMay 23, 2010
We've had two Black and Decker electric mowers. The first was the MM875 sold under the Sears badge. It was a great mower, but it was damaged by hitting roots. We replaced it with the MM675 because it had the flip handle option. It seems to be more difficult to push then the MM875. I read the review by one gentleman who said that the location of the handle in the middle of the mower body made the mower more difficult to push. That makes sense. We never noticed that the MM875 was hard to push. This model (M675) is difficult to push on our lawn which is thick and has an uneven subsurface. However, the M675 does a great job. We recently bought a Honda gas mower because it was self propelled. Although the Honda was powerful and self-propelled, it left a trail of clippings. We just mowed the lawn with the Black and Decker M675, and the M675 did a better job than the Honda! But, since we have a large yard (1/3rd acre) we'll probably be using the Honda more often. Convenience shouldn't be a citizen's only concern, and I hope that I didn't steer anyone away from the Black and Decker line. It's a great mower that is easier on the environment than a gas mower. We're impressed with it and we'll try to use it as often as we can to minimize our impact on the environment. Please consider an electric mower if at all possible.
 lawn mower userMay 13, 2010
very easy to assemble - works well
flip over handle is a good feature. The adjustable cutting height is also very easy to use.
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