This is a review of the Black and Decker (B&D) CMM1000 5 HP cordless electric lawn mower with a 19-inch cutting path. The mower has a mulching feature and came with a rear-mounted grass catcher. The author has used this model for years and offers the following observations and advice to those considering the purchase of a cordless electric lawn mower.
Convenience
This cordless lawn mower is extremely convenient. There is no need to purchase any gasoline or oil for the life of the mower. Because gasoline prices are currently so high, this is an extremely cost-effective mower. The B&D CMM1000 mower initially costs more than its gasoline-powered counterpart. However, the elimination of gas and oil purchases, oil changes, air filter changes, and all the maintenance normally associated with small gasoline engines offsets the initial price.
Almost no maintenance is required, except for an occasional blade sharpening and removal of accumulated grass from beneath the cutting deck and discharge chute.
Electric lawn mowers are much quieter than their gasoline-powered counterparts. The noise level drops even more during the cutting session as the battery gradually uses its charge.
Say good-bye to back-breaking pull starting. Electric lawn mowers start via a simple switch or lever.
Finally, the one-hand external cutting height adjustment lever requires no tools and only minimal hand strength. The height adjustment has a simple gauge showing the best height for mulching.
Safety
The mower comes with a safety key that must be inserted before the cordless electric lawn mower will start. This key cannot be inserted until the recharging cord is detached from the back of the electric lawn mower. The mower is started by pulling the safety release lever up to the padded handle, and operating the convenient start lever. The safety release must be held to the handle during mower operation. If the operator releases his or her grip for any reason, the cordless electric lawn mower promptly stops.
The cordless electric lawn mower must never be operated in wet grass because it is an electrical appliance. If there are several days of rain in a row, the owner must wait until the yard has dried sufficiently before using the electric mower. This drying often takes at least another full day after the end of the rain.
Battery Life and Charging
The B&D CMM1000 cordless electric lawn mower houses a sealed 24-volt battery inside the entirely plastic casing. No extension cord is required to operate this mower.
Anyone who has carried a car or boat battery might assume that this unit would be difficult to push because of the large battery. On the contrary, the battery is well-balanced between the two back wheels and the mower is easy to maneuver.
The battery trickle-charges via the external power supply and uses standard 110 Volt household outlets. The recharging plug can be difficult to plug into the mower in dim light or for those with limited manual dexterity. A red/green LED on the mower indicates that the mower is charging (red) or fully charged (green).
The instructions for this cordless electric lawn mower indicate that the battery reaches about 70% of its full charge in 4 hours of charging. Experience has shown that it is better to allow the mower to fully charge overnight before using it again.
Engine Horsepower
The B&D CMM1000 cordless electric lawn mower has a 5 HP battery. This is 5 HP gas equivalent at peak torque. A gasoline lawn mower will operate at full horsepower until the last drop of gasoline is used. The electric lawn mower will operate at or near full horsepower for most of the cutting time, and then gradually loses horsepower until a recharge is required.
This mower is rated for a yard of approximately 1/3 acre. Experience has shown that the mower is much better suited for 0.25 acre or less, if the owner desires to cut the entire yard in a single session. Otherwise, the mower must recharge overnight, and the remainder of the lawn must be cut another day.
Battery Operating Time
This cordless electric lawn mower can operate for 40-45 minutes on a full charge at ideal grass conditions. Ideal grass conditions include dry grass only requiring 1-2 inches to be cut. High grass, damp grass, dried grass clumps from previous mowings, and thick grass will all decrease the cutting time, because these conditions require more power and drain the battery faster. Cutting the grass very low, a dull blade, and using the mulching feature will also decrease the cutting time.
Those wishing to purchase this cordless electric lawn mower should invest in the inexpensive external grass discharge chute. This chute is not included with the mower. The mulching feature cuts the grass clippings repeatedly, and drains the battery faster. With the external discharge chute, cut grass exits the mower quickly.
Disadvantages
As stated previously, this cordless electric lawn mower operates at the rated horsepower for most, but not all, of the cutting session. Factors such as thicker or higher grass can decrease the amount of cutting time available. The unit cannot be used while the grass is wet. The rating that the cordless lawn mower can cut 1/3 acre on a single charge is optimistic. This mower does best cutting 0.20-0.25 acres on a single charge.
Recommendations
The B&D CMM1000 5 HP 19-inch cordless electric lawn mower (or comparable model) is ideal for homeowners with yards of about 0.25 acres or less, who dislike dealing with gas and oil, and prefer a quieter lawn cutting experience. The mower is easy to operate and recharge, although a few owners might have difficulty plugging the recharging cord into the mower. Note that the model reviewed was purchased several years ago, and this issue may have been resolved.
If you have a small lot, are tired of keeping flammable gasoline in the garage, and hate pull-starting a lawn mower (or are unable to), a cordless electric lawn mower is the perfect lawn mower for you.
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The Cub Cadet CC-500 BAT and the Black and Decker CMM1200 Cordless Lawn Mower Reviews
The Cub Cadet CC-500 BAT
If you're looking for an environmentally friendly electric mower you may want to check out the Cub Cadet CC-500 BAT cordless electric lawn mower. This mower is quiet and needs very little maintenance compared to a gas mower and is well built and clean running. As it is cordless it can be used away from any power outlets unlike a corded electric mower that can only be used as far away as the cord can extend. The power output of cordless models nowadays is comparable to gas powered models.
The Cub Cadet CC-500 BAT has a uniquely designed three in one deck with an upward sloping blade . This creates a cyclone effect which suspends cuttings in the air where they can be cut repeatedly to produce a fine mulch. The mulch is then ejected onto the ground where it is an excellent fertiliser for your lawn.
A 48 volt battery supplies the power and is designed for a minimal impact on the environment as well as long life. Lack of power has been a serious downfall of cordless mowers in the past but modern batteries deliver much more power and these newer models are comparable in power to gas powered mowers.
The Cub Cadet CC-500 BAT is extremely maneuverable thanks to ball bearings in the wheels which make rolling and turning much easier than many other models. The cutting height is easily adjusted with a lever and does not need individual wheel adjustments as some models do. The adjustable cutting blade gives seven different cutting heights from one inch to three and a half inches. A lock out key prevents accidentally starting the mower.
Overall we found the Cub Cadet CC-500 BAT has a very efficient mulching system, good cutting power and excellent features.
Advantages
Good mulching, easy to adjust cutting height, maneuverable
Disadvantages
Bagging is less efficient than some other models
List price $449.00
The Black and Decker CMM1200
For small areas of grass that are too far away from a power outlet the Black and Decker CMM1200 is ideal. This cordless electric lawn mower is well built but with slightly lower cutting power than the Cub Cadet CC-500 BAT. It has an efficient mulching system and operates for longer than the average cordless mower on one full charge.
The disadvantage of cordless electric mowers is that the usage is limited by the charge and until recharging takes place the mower can't be used again. However if you only have a small area to mow this won't be a problem and for those looking for a more environmentally friendly mower with low maintenance the Black and Decker CMM1200 would be suitable.
The cutting path, at nineteen inches, is about average for a cordless mower and about the same as a small gas mower. it is very quiet. A big advantage over gas mowers especially if you like to do your mowing early in the morning!
The cutting limit on a full charge is stated by the manufacturer to be 15,000 square feet but independent tests found this to be lower at around 10,000 square feet. Obviously, if you are mowing long grass or thickets of weeds you can expect this to be much lower, probably about a half of this figure. Be aware that no electric mowers should be used on wet grass.
The Black and Decker CMM1200 is easily transported as it is light and compact with a fold down handle for easier storage. It copes well with shallow inclines and is well constructed as you would expect for a mower from Black and Decker. Starting is easy with a push button and the controls on the handle are easy to use. An easy to use lever is used to adjust the cutting height which varies from one and a half to three and a third inches. .
A complete charge takes about sixteen hours and a replacement battery will be needed at least every five years. A new battery is around $110 today.
Overall we found the Black and Decker CMM1200 to be well built and efficient and very quiet.
Advantages
quiet in operation, well constructed and durable
Disadvantages
Limited battery power, only suitable for smaller lawns
