Comments about Black & Decker® Electric Mulching Mower (MM875):

It did not come with an extension cord.

Comments about Black & Decker® Electric Mulching Mower (MM875):

If you are changing from a gas powered mower, the first thing you'll notice is a lack of power but only if you've let the grass grow too long or try to cut it when it wet. It you perform periodic routine cuttings, then the mower works just fine.

The second thing you'll notice is that since there is a lack of power, that also translates into the inability to "suck up" loose grass or grass that is bent over something that a gas powered mower excels at. You may be tempted to go over the same area two times or more if you are a fanatic at doing a perfect job.

The best thing is that there is no rope pulling, no spark plugs, no changing oil, and no worry about the rising price of gasoline.

It also appears that there are 3 types of this model produced with the latest version having much more mechanical and electrical problems than the first version. The most common complaint seems to be the on-off handle which tends to break or fall apart after a year or two. On the latest production versions, the electrical motor itself seems suspect.

But getting away from all the other problems associated with gas powered mowers still make this an enjoyable product.

Comments about Black & Decker® Electric Mulching Mower (MM875):

I purchased this product at the end of the 2007 mowing season. It is a nice little mower - cuts well and is easy to handle. But at the beginning of the 2008 season, the starter switch went. The dealer replaced starter switch free-of-charge. Yesterday, the switch went out again. That's 2 switches in just 4 full years. I really liked the mower,and it was perfect for my very tiny lawn, but I can't justify purchasing this brand again for quality and convenience issues.

Comments about Black & Decker® Electric Mulching Mower (MM875):

We wanted a greener and low maintenance mower that could mow our 0.3 acre lawn (0.46 acre lot). Our lot would be too big to mow with a cordless model and most reel mowers aren't able to handle thick / patchy grass at the start of Spring.

This mower works great. Maneuvering the cord can take some practice, but once you get into a rhythm it's not any harder than pushing a large gas mower. The key is to keep the cord on the inside of the turns so that you are turning around it and not turning into it or getting tripped up. The easiest way to do this is to hold the cord in your hand as you hold the handle bars. If you're turning left, put the cord in your left hand and vice-versa. Doing this means you will need to step over the cord as you mow each row, but not doing this can leave you trying to figure out what to do with the cord when trying to turn the mower.

I would have used a reel mower since some German models are excellent, but the thick patchy grass at the beginning of the season prevents this. A reel mower would not let you put off mowing either since it can struggle if the grass gets too thick or long. Ideally, I'd use this mower when the grass is long or thick and a reel mower for routine maintenance. A reel mower would be a breeze to push and completely hassle free (no cord maneuvering and super light weight), once the grass is tamed by the electric mower.

I do like the hassle free maintenance. No oil + fuel mixing, no toxic fumes (at the mower at least - power plants are another story), no winter engine maintenance, etc.

Comments about Black & Decker® Electric Mulching Mower (MM875):

This Mower is basicly the same as a 12 year old MM850 except the cowling over the motor is 2 piece not 1 it is an improvement and still uses the same motor. I keep my yard year round and my old mower lasted 10 years. Open the cowling and clean the engine area if you cut dry dusty areas. (the dirt in the motor can ruin the motor so don't turn upside down the dirt will get in the motor. Price was 3x cheeper 10 years ago.

Comments about Black & Decker® Electric Mulching Mower (MM875):

We have replaced the start handle a number of times cost money to buy and time to do and then it eventually breaks again.
Frustrating. Do not buy this machine.
No Brand service or follow up ....its just another "disposable"
purchase. Not like we asked that much of this machine.

Comments about Black & Decker® Electric Mulching Mower (MM875):

I owned an MM875 for 11 years before it finally died.
And I knew I wanted another one if they were still produced.

These are remarkably tough machines and take a fair amount of abuse. I have a larger yard and it handles it just fine.

The only issue as with any electric yard tool, is to develope efficient "chord control" so you don't roll over and cut the extension chord. I only did that once.....

Comments about Black & Decker® Electric Mulching Mower (MM875):

So quiet I can use lightweight headphones to listen to the radio. I wish my neighbors used these.

Comments about Black & Decker® Electric Mulching Mower (MM875):

Inherated from father after he passed seven years ago he had it for three years before was under water for several days during Hurricane Ivan. left out side for several weeks then started right and has been running ever since that was 2003 want to buy new one but this one is the everyready bunny keeps going with no maintenance

Comments about Black & Decker® Electric Mulching Mower (MM875):

Bought this mower last year after a Saturday morning whine session from my son complaining about not being able to start my TORO GTS (Guaranteed to start - haaa) mower. Had enough so I went out to Ace and picked this thing up. Thinking the excuses were gone, now I have to hear "It's not cool". Great.

But, functionally, it does the job. Takes a little longer to mow than my Toro did, but in some respects it is easier due to the light weight. Quality of the cut is not quite as good as my Toro, but plenty acceptable to all but a perfectionist. (And if you're a perfectionist, you probably don't let your kids mow the lawn anyway).

I'm in year two and so far I have not noticed any quality issues (I've got my fingers crossed). I use the thickest gauge extension cord I could buy - I believe it was 12 gauge, 100ft. Plan on spending about $60-75 for a good cord. Number one cause of electric motor failures is using an undersized cord.

Note that I do not mulch - I only bag. I also live in the wet side of Oregon, so the lawn is usually damp - which is also why I don't mulch.

Comments about Black & Decker® Electric Mulching Mower (MM875):

Went through two of these in three years. B & D mowers can't be trusted to last, and when you realize you are missing parts, you can't find them as they have slipped off in the lawn. I did not use it more than 15 times each before the motor went (on low grass). No more B & D for me.

Comments about Black & Decker® Electric Mulching Mower (MM875):

I bought this in October 2005 as I wanted to be environmentally friendly and didn't like the idea of worrying about maintaining a gas mower.
I have a very small suburban lot with a total mow time of 40 minutes for both the front and back. The mower chokes out if the grass is too long and the blade rips the grass intsead of cutting it.
In the last 2 months I have had to replace the starter switch TWICE. First I got the part from B&D. It lasted 3 mows. The 2nd came from another part supplier and lasted 20 minutes.
I will NOT replace the part again. I have replaced the mower and will NOT buy another B&D mower.

Comments about Black & Decker® Electric Mulching Mower (MM875):

This mower is easier to push around my yard (small but sloped) than my 6.5Hp power mower with drive train assist)!!!! It's light and the one button height adjustment is great.

I had a corded electric mower years ago and I must say they have certainly improved a great deal. It's fairly quiet, but I don't really care about that.

The power cord retainer is light years better than the old mowers used to have and it's easy to keep it out of the way.

The cutting power is more than I expected. I don't use the bagger because I prefer mulching and this actually does mulch!

Highly recommended.

Comments about Black & Decker® Electric Mulching Mower (MM875):

I got this mower because I didn't want the maintenance hassle, noise, or emissions of a gas-powered mower. Also, I have back problems, so I needed a lightweight mower. I've been using it for more than a year now on a 5000-square-foot lot (keep in mind you'll probably only have a 100' extension cord to work with) and it's worked great. It's so quiet compared to gas mowers; I never have to wear hearing protection or worry about bothering my neighbors. It certainly isn't silent-running, but it operates at more of a buzz than a roar. It does take some planning and/or practice to work around the cord, but you get used to it, and the mower is so much lighter than the cordless that it makes up for the inconvenience for me. The mulching works pretty well, but if you set the mower too low and try to mulch long grass it may take a second pass. If you keep up with your lawn, though, it usually does fine, and it's really great for dealing with fall leaves. The only time it has problems is in thick, long, wet grass--it can get bogged down pretty easily. Again, if you keep up with your lawn and don't live in a really wet area, it shouldn't be a problem.