| Introduction | | | | those with limited manual dexterity. A red/green |
| This is a review of the Black and Decker | | | | LED on the mower indicates that the mower is |
| (B&D) CMM1000 5 HP cordless electric lawn | | | | charging (red) or fully charged (green). |
| mower with a 19-inch cutting path. The mower | | | | The instructions for this cordless electric lawn |
| has a mulching feature and came with a | | | | mower indicate that the battery reaches about |
| rear-mounted grass catcher. The author has used | | | | 70% of its full charge in 4 hours of charging. |
| this model for years and offers the following | | | | Experience has shown that it is better to allow |
| observations and advice to those considering the | | | | the mower to fully charge overnight before using |
| purchase of a cordless electric lawn mower. | | | | it again. |
| Convenience | | | | Engine Horsepower |
| This cordless lawn mower is extremely | | | | The B&D CMM1000 cordless electric lawn |
| convenient. There is no need to purchase any | | | | mower has a 5 HP battery. This is 5 HP gas |
| gasoline or oil for the life of the mower. Because | | | | equivalent at peak torque. A gasoline lawn mower |
| gasoline prices are currently so high, this is an | | | | will operate at full horsepower until the last drop |
| extremely cost-effective mower. The B&D | | | | of gasoline is used. The electric lawn mower will |
| CMM1000 mower initially costs more than its | | | | operate at or near full horsepower for most of |
| gasoline-powered counterpart. However, the | | | | the cutting time, and then gradually loses |
| elimination of gas and oil purchases, oil changes, air | | | | horsepower until a recharge is required. |
| filter changes, and all the maintenance normally | | | | This mower is rated for a yard of approximately |
| associated with small gasoline engines offsets the | | | | 1/3 acre. Experience has shown that the mower |
| initial price. | | | | is much better suited for 0.25 acre or less, if the |
| Almost no maintenance is required, except for an | | | | owner desires to cut the entire yard in a single |
| occasional blade sharpening and removal of | | | | session. Otherwise, the mower must recharge |
| accumulated grass from beneath the cutting deck | | | | overnight, and the remainder of the lawn must be |
| and discharge chute. | | | | cut another day. |
| Electric lawn mowers are much quieter than their | | | | Battery Operating Time |
| gasoline-powered counterparts. The noise level | | | | This cordless electric lawn mower can operate for |
| drops even more during the cutting session as | | | | 40-45 minutes on a full charge at ideal grass |
| the battery gradually uses its charge. | | | | conditions. Ideal grass conditions include dry grass |
| Say good-bye to back-breaking pull starting. | | | | only requiring 1-2 inches to be cut. High grass, |
| Electric lawn mowers start via a simple switch or | | | | damp grass, dried grass clumps from previous |
| lever. | | | | mowings, and thick grass will all decrease the |
| Finally, the one-hand external cutting height | | | | cutting time, because these conditions require |
| adjustment lever requires no tools and only | | | | more power and drain the battery faster. Cutting |
| minimal hand strength. The height adjustment has | | | | the grass very low, a dull blade, and using the |
| a simple gauge showing the best height for | | | | mulching feature will also decrease the cutting |
| mulching. | | | | time. |
| Safety | | | | Those wishing to purchase this cordless electric |
| The mower comes with a safety key that must | | | | lawn mower should invest in the inexpensive |
| be inserted before the cordless electric lawn | | | | external grass discharge chute. This chute is not |
| mower will start. This key cannot be inserted until | | | | included with the mower. The mulching feature |
| the recharging cord is detached from the back of | | | | cuts the grass clippings repeatedly, and drains the |
| the electric lawn mower. The mower is started | | | | battery faster. With the external discharge chute, |
| by pulling the safety release lever up to the | | | | cut grass exits the mower quickly. |
| padded handle, and operating the convenient start | | | | Disadvantages |
| lever. The safety release must be held to the | | | | As stated previously, this cordless electric lawn |
| handle during mower operation. If the operator | | | | mower operates at the rated horsepower for |
| releases his or her grip for any reason, the | | | | most, but not all, of the cutting session. Factors |
| cordless electric lawn mower promptly stops. | | | | such as thicker or higher grass can decrease the |
| The cordless electric lawn mower must never be | | | | amount of cutting time available. The unit cannot |
| operated in wet grass because it is an electrical | | | | be used while the grass is wet. The rating that |
| appliance. If there are several days of rain in a | | | | the cordless lawn mower can cut 1/3 acre on a |
| row, the owner must wait until the yard has dried | | | | single charge is optimistic. This mower does best |
| sufficiently before using the electric mower. This | | | | cutting 0.20-0.25 acres on a single charge. |
| drying often takes at least another full day after | | | | Recommendations |
| the end of the rain. | | | | The B&D CMM1000 5 HP 19-inch cordless |
| Battery Life and Charging | | | | electric lawn mower (or comparable model) is ideal |
| The B&D CMM1000 cordless electric lawn | | | | for homeowners with yards of about 0.25 acres |
| mower houses a sealed 24-volt battery inside the | | | | or less, who dislike dealing with gas and oil, and |
| entirely plastic casing. No extension cord is | | | | prefer a quieter lawn cutting experience. The |
| required to operate this mower. | | | | mower is easy to operate and recharge, although |
| Anyone who has carried a car or boat battery | | | | a few owners might have difficulty plugging the |
| might assume that this unit would be difficult to | | | | recharging cord into the mower. Note that the |
| push because of the large battery. On the | | | | model reviewed was purchased several years |
| contrary, the battery is well-balanced between | | | | ago, and this issue may have been resolved. |
| the two back wheels and the mower is easy to | | | | If you have a small lot, are tired of keeping |
| maneuver. | | | | flammable gasoline in the garage, and hate |
| The battery trickle-charges via the external | | | | pull-starting a lawn mower (or are unable to), a |
| power supply and uses standard 110 Volt | | | | cordless electric lawn mower is the perfect lawn |
| household outlets. The recharging plug can be | | | | mower for you. |
| difficult to plug into the mower in dim light or for | | | | |