Black & Decker MM1800 18-Inch 12 amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower (Older Model)

I've had cheap gas mowers that wouldn't start and very expensive gas mowers that wouldn't start. No matter how high the quality of the engine there was always something that needed tending to. A couple months ago I went out and bought yet another gas mower. Got it home, put it together, added oil, gassed it up and of course it wouldn't start. So I took it back and the garden center and the people there couldn't get it to start either. Fortunately they refunded my money and took the thing back. That evening I started researching electric mowers on the internet.A rechargeable battery mower was quickly ruled out because I didn't want to replace a $150 manufacturer specific battery every two or three years. Most of the reviewers of corded mowers were in agreement that cord management was no big deal. My search took me to this compact, lightweight little B&D MM1800. I liked the way it folded up for storage in the pictures.When it arrived, I rolled it out of the box and popped the handle on it. That's all you have to do. The one touch height setting really works! No more wrestling with each wheel on a heavy gas mower. The lawn was a little longer than usual since I'd been without a mower for month. It didn't matter, the little B&D munched right through it as good as any gasser I've ever owned. I even used it to clear out an overgrown utility easement on the side of my home. It never bogged down or hesitated one bit. The other users are correct when they say that cord management is no problem. I've used it with the bag and without. Both ways work great. Anyway, I've used it several times now since grass grows quickly in the South Florida rainy season and I can't begin to describe how cool it is to just flip this puppy upside down on the lawn to clean it up without worrying about gas and oil spilling all over the place.In fact there are lot's of reasons to celebrate not having to mess with gas mowers anymore.No need for gasolineNo need to store volatile gasolineNo trips to the gas station or gas smells in the carNo pouring of gasoline into a tiny tank and the associated mess.No stale gasoline issuesNo need for gasoline stabilizer productsNo elaborate preparation for off season storageNo gunking up or varnishing of fuel if not stored perfectlyNo need for trip to repair shop to undo storage mistakesNo need for oilNo need to check oil levelNo need to change oilNo need to tip mower upside down to drain oilNo need to siphon out gas before tipping upside down to drain oilNo fuel or oil leaks and drippage when mower is turned upside down to clean out the undersideNo annual tune-upNo gapping or replacing of spark plugsNo cleaning of messy, oily air filtersNo smelly exhaust fumesNo smelly garden shedNo noisy engineNo ear plugs or hearing protectorsNo need to keep a usage log to time oil changes etc.I'm very happy with my little orange monster and enjoy lawn mowing a lot more now that it's pretty much hassle free.UPDATE - two and a half years later February 2013:So far so good! I've had absolutely no troubles or issues with my little orange monster. Two of my neighbors have bought one after borrowing mine a couple times. The blade has held its edge quite well and there's still no need to sharpen it. I haven't had to do anything to it but keep the mower clean and shiny. A cheap rubber spatula from the dollar store is the only tool you need to keep it in top condition. Use it to remove the accumulated grass from under the deck after each mowing. Lawn mowers get quite a workout in rainy South Florida where you can almost see the grass growing but the little orange monster just keeps on humming (literally).UPDATE - May 2014:It's still humming along nicely. The rainy season here in South Florida is getting ready to fire up and there's not a darn thing I need to do to get the little orange monster ready. Just plug it in and mow!

November 2015 update: Good mower but not as powerful as my old one so thick lawns will have an issue unless cut frequently, and I have this on the highest clearance setting. Have sharpened the blade twice (once each season - easy to do since I have a table grinder wheel) and have not had to replace any parts.The only reason I won't say four stars is because it's so new and I reserve a little more time for judgment. I had an electric mower that I bought for under a hundred bucks USED from a friend or mine who was moving out of the country in 1993. He kept it outside under a tarp. I kept it in my house. When I first got it home, I cleaned the heck out of it. Waxed it, cleaned the wheels off, sharpened the blade, tightened everything. The thing was so old that there is no information about it on the internet, and seriously--EVERYTHING is online. Still today, I cannot find out anything about the manufacturer. Was hoping for someone who could repair it for me. It was a 19" metal-bodied, good, solid mower. Never had a complaint. It would eat twigs, sticks, heavy grass and keep going. Cleaned it off each spring and sharpened the blade, run, run, run. I had it at the highest setting level and it started up every single time. Took a while to get used to not using gas, but it's so nice to know that you don't have to stop in the middle of a yard chore and go get more fuel. Watching neighbors contend with smoking mowers that ran poorly and were hard to start became a hobby.THIS MODEL was only bought because my old one finally died. I did a lot of research on brands and mowers and am leery about batteries. This seemed like so much better a deal than a Neuton, which is what I really wanted. Batteries just don't seem to have quite gotten to the point where they hold a charge long enough or last long enough before needing a replacement (and I'm sure they aren't cheap. So, I opted for another corded model, and I liked this price because it let me afford the beach chairs I also had wanted for years. Cutting with a corded mower is a lot like vacuuming, to avoid the cord. Pull the cord as you go, and you won't have an issue. Despite this being essentially a plastic model, it is as heavy as the metal one it replaces of mine. MUCH quieter than the old unit, and a big-headed extension cord hits fine into it. I do not use the bag, as my jurisdiction does not allow glass clippings in the trash, but may use it for leaves. My yard is also pretty small, at 50'x125', and my lawn is flat with no hills. This mower works pretty well, but even brand new it seems to miss a blade here and there, and seems to slow down some in the heavier grass, despite me buying the 12 amp version (I looked at a lower amp model, but shied away from this because I was worried about powering through thicker grass). I do like it however, and it seems to be a well built unit. Maybe if I had it on a lower setting, it would work better on cut, but I hate seeing a lawn get beat up by cutting more than 75% of the blade's length. The entire thing adjusts height in one easy setting vs. taking wheels off and moving them like my old mower.I read the other reviews about the breakable fan-like piece at the bottom with the blade, so I will be careful not going over sticks and heavier twigs anymore. There is a youtube video to show how to replace the fan-like piece and it looks simple and inexpensive, if it does get damaged. I recommend this mower so far!

After my Honda gas mower finally ticked me off for the last time, I decided to purchase this electric model. I have a small city lawn and thought this would be perfect. So far it has been. The minor assembly went fast and I was out cutting in 10 minutes. It handled the thick grass where the dog likes to roam much better then my old gas mower. The motor slowed a bit, but not enough to be concerned. I multch the grass. If I bagged it, the mower probably wouldn't have slowed down at all. The height adjustment works well on my machine with no signs of slipping. I did inspect the plastic piece that holds the blade on, and indeed it is intended to protect the mower in case of an obstruction. I would suggest if you like to hit stuff with the mower that you get a couple of spares. Like another reviewer said, it is similar (in function) to the shear pins on a snow blower. Personally, I try not to hit anything in the yard, so it should never be a problem for me. The mower is extremely lightweight. Very quiet as well. I was completely surprised by how quiet it is. Another reviewer said it was louder than their gas model but I think this statement is false. My wife was standing next to me while this was running and we could actually have a conversation without shouting. If I had to compare the noise level with something, I'd say it was like a window box fan on high or maybe just slightly louder. Other reviewers mention the cord as being a downfall, but if you buy it knowing it has a cord, why would you complain about it, or mark it down because of it? Overall, I recommend this mower. Just think about your own situation and if this type of mower makes sense to you.Edit: As of June 2015, about 3 years, this machine still works like the day it was new.

Very powerful mower and the bagger works great. These are two important items in the Pacific Northwest where wet grass is usually the case. No motor stalling and no bag clogging. Otherwise the mower handles well and it even sounds great. I can think of no flaws with it.I couldn't be any happier with my purchase.

Just used it for the first time and have to say that it performed very well. It has enough power, it is easy to use and the rear mounted bag is easy to empty.

Used it for 3 years now and is working great

It was a pleasure to read clear & easy to follow instructions.Mower mulches well & the handling is great

Easy to put together! Has to cut through newly planted grass about a foot or higher and did it with ease!