Cordless electric mowers are the fastest-growing segment of the lawn mower industry, because they're environmentally friendly and convenient to use. Comparison tests show that the new 36-volt Toro e-Cycler 20360 cuts moreevenly than its competitors, and its high dome mulches clippings well. The e-Cycler 20360's 20-inch cutting path speeds mowing and a fast charger make it usable again in three hours. The Toro e-Cycler is ideal for small, flat lawns, but if you need a self-propelled cordless mower that can use extra batteries for longer run time, consider the 48-volt Ryobi RY14110 (*Est. $400), which mulches well but doesn't cut as evenly as the Toro.

The 20-inch Toro e-Cycler 20360 cordless electric mower marks Toro's re-entry into the cordless mower market. Tests rank the Toro mower at the top for cutting evenness, and it also boasts a 4-inch maximum cutting height -- though adjustments require changes at each wheel. The high dome facilitates mulching, and tests show that it does mulch clippings well. Extra-fast charging brings it up to 70 percent in just three hours. However, if you need to swap out extra 36-volt batteries to extend runtime, reviews recommend the 19-inch, 36-volt Black & Decker CMM1936 (*Est. $400) for its lift-out batteries, though it doesn't cut quite as evenly.
The Toro e-Cycler 20360 cordless mower is too new to have accumulated many reviews, especially from owners. However, ConsumerReports.org covers it in its latest comparison tests, ranking it in comparison with eight other cordless electric models and 52 lawn mowers in all. The brand customer-satisfaction at J. D. Power and Associates covers Toro as a brand, but not this specific new model. The Toro e-Cycler earns top ranking in the 2010 review at Consumers Digest, no testing is documented. As of April 1, the e-Cycler is also a top cordless mower at retailer MowersDirect.com. Owner-written reviews at Amazon.com are just beginning to come in.

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New Toro E Cycler Cordless Lawn Mower 20 No Gas or Oil Model 20360
	$399.00 End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 7:31:55 PST Buy It Now for only: $399.00 Buy It Now

This is a review of the Black and Decker (B&D) CMM1000 5 HP cordless electric lawn mower with a 19-inch cutting path, and 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.

Black & Decker CMM1200 19-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Electric Mulching Lawn Mower List Price: $766.79 Sale Price: $339.95 You save: $426.84 (56%) See Reviews For This Product

Description Clean and convenient, the Cordless Electric Mulching Lawn Mower from Black & Decker runs on a dependable 24-volt battery and can mow a 1/3-acre home lot on a single charge. It allows you to eliminate tricky pull starts and tangled extension cords from your lawn care regimen and, as a zero-emissions tool, it's not just easier to use than traditional gas mowers. .caption {font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, serif;font-size: 10px;font-weight: bold;font-style: italic;}ul.indent {list-style: inside disc;text-indent: 20px;}table.callout {font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, serif;margin: 10px;width: 250;}td.callout3-c26 {height: 100 percent;background: url('images/c26-callout3.png') repeat-y;border-left: 0px solid #999999;border-right: 1px solid #999999;padding: 10px;width: 250px;}ul.callout {list-style: inside disc;text-indent: -12px;font-size: 12px;line-height: 1.5em;}h5.callout {text-align: center;}img.withlink {border:1px black solid;}a.nodecoration {text-decoration: none} A removable safety key prevents accidental startups. The height of all four wheels adjusts with the pull of one lever. The folding handle makes for easy storage. Depending on conditions, this mower can handle up to 12,000 sq.ft. on a single charge. View larger. Versatile configurations let you choose where grass clippings end up. Easy to Use and Easy on the EnvironmentThis cordless electric mower is designed to simplify lawn care. Just insert the key, pull the lever, and go. No pull cords or time-consuming maintenance and tune-ups required. No gas and oil to buy, mix, store, or spill. No need to worry about the length of an extension cord. No dirty fumes polluting your yard. Versatile and Dependable Cordless Cutting PowerWith this electric mower, a 1200-watt output permanent magnet electric motor delivers quick, effective performance. A single battery charge provides plenty of run time to mow a typical home site of 1/3 acre, which translates to a grass area of 10,000 to 12,000 square feet. The mower's deck offers a cutting width of 19 inches. This durable polymer deck is easy to clean, won't ever rust, and is backed by a lifetime warranty. The mower also offers you the choice of using the mulching plate to lay cuttings back on your lawn as free, chemical-free fertilizer, or of using a rear bag with a large 1.5-bu capacity to collect clippings. You can select a mowing height from 1.5 to 3.5 inches to account for a variety conditions. One-touch height adjustment lets you adjust all four wheels with the pull of a single lever. And when it's time to put the mower away, the handle folds to create a more compact footprint, allowing for storage in tight spaces. Energy Star Approval and Support for Battery RecyclingThe Black & Decker 24-volt battery-powered mower is the first in its class to offer a charger that qualifies for the Energy Star approval mark. This charger meets the strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy. A battery will charge to 70-percent in just three or four hours, or to 100-percent overnight. In addition to benefiting the environment, this efficiency helps you save money on utilities. Black & Decker also supports the activities of the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBCB), a not-for-profit company established for the purpose of collecting and recycling rechargeable batteries within the U.S. and Canada so that they don't end up in landfills. Companies involved in this recycling effort pay for the cost of collection and recycling so that the environmental benefits come at no cost to you, the consumer. This electric mower weighs just 76 pounds, and it is backed by a full two-year warranty. What's in the BoxMower, rear bag, mulching plate, and safety key. Features Powerful 24-volt, 1,200-watt permanent magnet electric motor; mows 1/3-acre on a single charge Cutting height adjusts with the touch of a button; starts by simply pulling a lever Mower stores upright for compact storage 2-year limited warranty; limited lifetime warranty on cutting deck Included with mower: bag and mulching plate

If you live in an area where regular snowfall is normal, then you are going to want to make sure that your winter law care strategy involves keeping your grass free of clutter and debris before the first snow should fall. Proper lawn maintenance in preparation for the first winter snow involves removing sticks, raking away the leaves and disposing of any other debris that should not be on your yard, before they end up buried beneath the snow.

Even if you are not exactly expending a great deal of snowfall, it is still vital that you make sure that your grass is free to breathe rather than left buried beneath piles of leaves, sticks and other rubbish. This rubbish can interfere with the grass needing to receive proper air, proper nutrients and proper moisture which is why it is so important that you clean up your yard before the first snowfall. Your grass may not be growing during this period of time, but if left buried for too long, it can still end up dying during the winter season.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that the summer is the most important season when it comes to controlling and preventing the growth of weeds. The opposite, however, is actually true because weed control is most important during the winter season. Weeds actually grow much more quickly during the winter than your grass can. If the weeds are allowed to grow without any control, your lawn may be dead by the time the spring runs around.

Because your lawn will be growing so slowly during the fall and winter season, it is rather simple to find the weeds that are growing during this time. All you have to do is make sure that you pay attention to your grass during these months, pulling weeds or applying weed killer as needed so that the weeds do not overrun the lawn, ruining your landscaping during the colder season.

If you plan on planting winter grass varieties like rye grass, then these will have the best chance of thriving when planted in October, which is the best time for them to take root. Make sure that your newly planted grass seeds get plenty of water even when the weather is chilly outside.

A lot of people already have taken their lawn mowers out of storage and given them a couple of workouts.
How did the mower perform? Is it time to buy another? If it is a gas-powered mower, are you thinking about switching to electric, or to battery power, or an old-fashioned push mower?

If it's time to buy a new lawn mower, here are some things to consider, no matter which side of the push/electric/gasoline debate you're on.
Chore or joy: Do you enjoy mowing the lawn, or does it become a chore after the first few outings? Would it be worth it to hire the neighbor's kid or to contract with a service? If you like mowing or think that the exercise, even in the dog days of August, is what the doctor ordered — wear a hat — then doing it yourself is the way to go.

Choose the right size: How big is your yard? How much is lawn and how much garden? Is the surface smooth or bumpy from stones? Are there places always in the shade or wetlands where moss, not grass, predominates? Would you have to run over tree roots? How easy would it be to mow around trees, bushes, walls, and similar obstacles? Is your lawn level or does it slope up or down? If it runs uphill, it might be easier to deal with it using a self-propelled machine.

Stow and go: The mower will have to be stored somewhere, which means finding a less-than-backbreaking way to get it in and out. You won't want to maneuver a heavy, gas-powered mower up and down the basement stairs, and you really should have a garage or a storage shed with a ramp if your lawn requires a ride-on mower. You'll also need a place to store the gasoline and oil — and you don't want to do that near the furnace.

Rear or side bag: The bag on most lawn mowers is in the rear, right underneath the handle. They hold two to three times more grass clippings than a side bag.

Don't go cheap: What you can afford to spend should be factored in along with the kind of mower you and your lawn deserve. Depending on the type, lawn mowers range from the manual-push variety at $80 to ride-on tractors that can cost up to $6,000. Typically, $300 to $700 can get you an electric, battery-powered, or gasoline-powered mower that suits most lawns.

The reel thing: If you're nostalgic, fitness-minded, or environmentally sensitive, the human-powered reel mower could be the one for you. Whether you push or a gas engine pushes for you, reel mowers use blades on a revolving cylinder to shear the blades of grass. Rotary mowers bend the grass first, then cut it. Rotary action is best for those who let their grass grow for weeks before cutting it.

Push vs. self-propelled: Regardless of which energy source powers your mower, you'll have a choice between pushing it as the engine whirs or simply guiding the mower across the lawn. As you might expect, self-propelled mowers cost more. Two desirable features on self-propelled models are a blade-brake clutch — which allows you to pause to pick up a kid's toys but lets the engine run so you won't need to restart — and a single-lever height adjustment for the proper cut.

Powered with gas: These include both push and self-propelled models, most with four-stroke engines and a cutting swath 21 or 22 inches wide. They are noisy, require regular maintenance, and, though federal rules have reduced emissions, still pollute more than others do.

It's electric: These are push-and-walk-behind mowers, with an electric motor driving a rotating blade. Corded and cordless versions start easily with the push of a button or flip of a switch, produce no exhaust, and have interchangeable blades. Mowers with cords are limited by distance from the electrical outlet, and there's always an opportunity to run over the cord. Cordless, battery-operated models are improving, but you must remember to charge the battery — typically 24 hours for a complete charge.

Best Gas Push Mower

Craftsman 38905

*Est. $225

If you can get by with a push mower (instead of self-propelled), the Craftsman 38905 is a good blend of performance and value. This model can mulch, side discharge or bag clippings (bag included), but in comparison … reviews, it mulches and bags better than it side-discharges. This Craftsman mower gets especially good reviews for its recoil start, which owners say almost always fires up on the first pull. The 38905 has a more powerful Briggs & Stratton engine than the cheapest Craftsman mowers, so owners give the engine better reviews. The easy-to-change bag is another plus. The Craftsman mower comes with a two-year warranty. One drawback is that changing the cutting height requires adjusting all four wheels.

Budget Self-propelled Lawn Mower

Toro Recycler 20333

*Est. $400

In comparison reviews, experts say that the Toro Recycler 20333 does pretty much everything well, from mulching to bagging and side-discharging clippings. You can even do a little of both, switching back and forth from… bagging to mulching with the flip of a switch. A blade brake means you can pause mowing briefly without cutting the engine. Owners say the recoil start generally starts on the first pull (Toro even guarantees this for three years). Most owners like the Personal Pace drive system, which powers the back wheels to match your walking pace, but many say that this takes some getting used to. The Briggs & Stratton 190cc engine is the same engine used in the Craftsman 38905 above.

Best Luxury Lawn Mower

Honda HRX217K2HMA

*Est. $900

It's expensive, but reviews praise this top-ranked Honda self-propelled gas mower for both mulching and bagging grass clippings. Instead of choosing one or the other mode, you can set the mower to bag a certain percentage… of clippings. This electric-start lawn mower meets even California's strict standards for emissions, and it's available in the other 49 states as well. The mower carries a three-year warranty and has a rustproof deck, but it's expensive -- and hard to find, except from specialty dealers. The less expensive Honda HRX2172HXA (*est. $800) just lacks the electric start.

Electric Lawn Mower

Black & Decker MM875

*Est. $250

Although you have to deal with a power cord, electric mowers are quiet and almost maintenance-free -- they're an option for those with small, relatively flat lawns. Reviewers like the rotary blades on Black & Decker… electric mowers, plus conveniences like one-lever height adjustment. The handle on the Black & Decker MM875 folds down for storage and the polymer deck has a lifetime warranty. As with all corded electric mowers, the maximum cord length is 100 feet, so it's best for small lawns. We did find a few recent owner-reviews warning of durability issues, but in performance tests, the Black & Decker electric mower mulches, side discharges and bags very well (a bag is included).

Cordless Lawn Mower

Black & Decker CMM1200

*Est. $400

According to reviews, the cordless Black & Decker CMM1200 actually does a better job than most corded electric mowers, mulching more effectively and cutting more evenly (bagging isn't its strong suit, though a bag is… included). It can mow about 1/4 acre per battery charge. The CMM1200 has a folding handle, one-lever height adjustment and a polymer deck with lifetime warranty. The downside is that it costs more than a corded electric mower, and you'll need to buy a new battery in a couple of years.

Lawn Mowers Runners Up:

Neuton CE 5.2 *Est. $390

4 picks by top review sites.

Brill Razorcut 38 *Est. $250

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Lawn-Boy 10795 Insight Platinum *Est. $550

3 picks including: Abby'sGuide.com, Amazon.com…

Neuton CE 6.2 *Est. $490

3 picks by top review sites.

Black & Decker MM275 *Est. $180

2 picks by top review sites.

Lawn-Boy 10683 *Est. $400

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EarthWise 60020 *Est. $300

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Cub Cadet 11A-18MC *Est. $250

2 picks including: Consumers Digest, SmartMoney's Annual Broker Survey…

Craftsman 37051 *Est. $230

2 picks by top review sites.

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