Cordless Electric Lawn Mower Review
Doug Smith
Introduction
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.
About The Author: Copyright 2006 by Doug Smith, who invites you
to browse his free website about the convenience and ease-of-use
of electric lawn mower models and options at
http://lawnmowers.hobbyboutique.com
See Also:
Index of Lawn Mowers & Lawn Care
Index of Gardens & Gardening
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