Electric lawn mowers are increasing in popularity as people become more aware of how gas-powered equipment can produce environmentally harmful emissions.
The Black & Decker MM875 Lawn Hog electric lawn mower is an excellent choice for those people who require a reasonably powered lawn mower in an electrically-powered package.
If you have a lawn up to a quarter acre in size and you have concerns about the environment, then you should consider this versatile Black & Decker machine.
It has the power needed to handle most smaller lawns, plus it mulches and bags with ease.
As long as you are prepared for the cord management, the MM875 could be the ideal machine for you and your lawn.
Black and Decker MM875 Lawn Hog electric lawn mower review
Key features at a glance
What can the Black and Decker MM875 Lawn Hog be used for?
Electric Motor
Handling and Operating
Cutting Features
Additional Features
Assembly
Dimensions
Maintenance
Accessories
Pros and Cons
Consumer Ratings
Price
Other Black and Decker corded electric models
Key features at a glance
- Mulching capability with included mulching insert
- Rear bag included for grass bagging
- Corded 12 amp motor
- Large 19 inch deck
- Cutting height adjustable with the touch of a button
- Adjustable, cushioned handle
- No need to add oil or fuel
- Starts easily
- Two year warranty.
What can the Black & Decker MM875 Lawn Hog be used for?
Like most corded electric mowers, the MM875 is best suited for smaller lawns up to a quarter acre in size. Since it requires a constant supply of electricity, it must be plugged in at all times. Therefore, if you are considering the purchase of an MM875, you should make sure that you have conveniently placed electrical outlets that you can access from your yard.
This machine is built to handle fairly flat and debris-free yards, so it is ideal for smaller residential lawns.
The fact that it is able to bag, mulch or discharge is appealing to many users since each function can come in handy depending on the situation.
Even though the included bag is not especially large, it is big enough to handle the clippings from smaller yards.
One important feature of this and other electrically-powered mowers is that they run very quietly. If you live in an area with noise restrictions, this is a very valuable aspect of the MM875. Though the spinning blade produces some noise, it is not nearly as loud as a typical gas-powered machine.
Also, the fact that the machine produces no emissions means that it is a valid option for areas with strict emissions regulations. If you live in California, CARB compliance is a crucial concern, but when you operate a mower like the Black and Decker MM875, you need not concern yourself with such compliance issues.
The electric motor
Like most electrically-powered lawn mowers, the Black & Decker MM875 features a 12 amp electric motor.
This size is ideal for lawn mowers since it supplies adequate power for grass cutting in an efficient package. Most users find that the 12 amp motor, while not as powerful as a typical gasoline-powered engine, supplies enough power to cut most grass types.
Power is supplied to the mower via an extension cord which must be plugged in no further than 100 feet from the machine. If you want the maximum range, it is recommended to purchase a heavy-duty 12 gauge extension cord. Using a high-quality cord ensures that the electrical load is handled properly between the outlet and the mower.
Handling and operating the Black and Decker MM875 Lawn Hog
Using the Black & Decker MM875 Lawn Hog mower is very easy. Starting the machine is simple and relatively effortless – all you need to do is plug it in, stand safely behind the unit, engage the starter switch and you are ready to start cutting grass.
Even though you must push the machine, its light weight makes (52 pounds) it easily maneuverable.
The electric motor will produce a minimum of vibration. Also, the handle of this machine is padded for even greater comfort.
The fact that the Black & Decker MM875 is so quiet, easy to start and effortless to operate makes it incredibly simple to use. Beware that the simplicity of operation will be negated if you attempt to use the mower on terrain too rough for it.
However, as long as you operate the machine on relatively flat surfaces and you stay near the electrical outlet, operation of this unit is a breeze.
Cutting features
The Black & Decker MM875 Lawn Hog comes with a single 19 inch blade. The blade is durable and effective for mulching, bagging or side discharge.
Although some users may have reservations about the electric motor’s ability to rotate the blade at adequate speeds, people are generally impressed with the motor’s power and grass cutting strength.
The deck is made from heavy-duty, but light materials and it is guaranteed with a lifetime warranty against defects or workmanship.
The deck’s height is adjusted easily with one simple control. All you need to do to adjust the cutting height is squeeze the deck height adjuster and pull up or down. The height is adjustable within a range from 1.25 to 3.5 inches for maximum versatility.
As indicated above, the MM875 is able to perform three different functions as a mower.
It comes with a bag and mulching insert so you can bag or mulch your grass right out of the box. It is also able to simply discharge the grass clippings with a side discharge chute, which is sold separately.
As long as you are plugged in to an outlet, you will have the power you need to cut your grass and operate this machine’s cutting functions effectively.
Additional features
Cord management is a major concern for operators of corded electric power equipment. Thankfully, this unit is set up to make cord management easy.
The power cord is plugged in near the unit’s handle so you can always have access to it. Also, there is a hook located near the plug that prevents the cord from becoming unplugged during use.
Since cord management is so important, users will be pleased that Black & Decker has engineered this machine to make the process as easy as possible.
Assembly
One advantage of purchasing an electrically-powered lawn mower is the fact that very little assembly is required.
Once you remove the MM875 from its box, all you need to do is fold up the handle and tighten it into place. Unlike gas-powered machines, this unit does not require you to fill it with oil or fuel. Simply plug in your extension cord, and you will be ready to go.
The included grass bag requires some initial assembly, but it only takes a moment to complete.
Dimensions
Following are some of the important dimensions of the MM875:
- Cutting width – 19 inches
- Mower length – 36 inches
- Mower height – 17.6 inches
- Mower width – 22.5 inches
- Weight – 52 pounds
Maintenance
One of the major benefits to owning an electrically-powered push mower is the fact that there is very little maintenance required.
Gas-powered mowers require you to change the oil periodically in addition to fueling and they also require tune ups and spark plug changes from time to time. None of this is required for owners of the Black & Decker MM875.
This is not to say that the machine is completely maintenance-free, however. Users must maintain a sharp cutting blade, plus they should clean the underside of the deck regularly to ensure effective use.
Accessories
The most useful and popular accessory for the MM875 is the optional side discharge chute. The mower comes equipped for bagging and mulching, but you must purchase the side discharge attachment to discharge the grass to the side. The accessory is inexpensive and it is available from your Black & Decker dealer.
You’ll also need a decent [easyazon-link asin=”B00004SQF4″ locale=”us”] outdoor extension cord[/easyazon-link].
Pros and cons
Pros
Here are the main plus points for the MM875 Lawn Hog:
- Light and easy to operate
- Requires no gasoline or oil
- Extremely quiet operation
- Zero emissions
- Ability to bag, mulch or side discharge
- Virtually no maintenance required
- Cord hook eases cord management
- Effortless starting
- Cushioned grip
- Adjustable handle
- One touch deck height adjustment
Cons
These are the MM875’s main downsides:
- Must be operated within 100 feet of an electrical outlet
- Not as powerful as gas-powered mowers
- Cord management can be cumbersome
- Does not come with side discharge chute
- Polymer deck is not as tough as a steel deck, can suffer damage
Consumer ratings
This mower is so popular that it has received over 500 reviews on Amazon.com. The average rating is 4.1 out of five stars, which is outstanding.
Of the 502 reviews 240 people gave the MM875 a five star review, with 159 reviewers giving the machine four stars. That means very nearly 80% of reviewers give the MM875 4 or more stars.
The positive customer reviews cite the machine’s power and ease of use as major benefits. Reviewers love the ease with which the deck is adjusted, and they are generally pleased with the mower’s cutting ability. Users are also very pleased with the machine’s quiet operation and need for very little maintenance.
Negative reviews seem to indicate that many people are purchasing this machine with higher expectations than it deserves. Some people have noted a lack of power, but they may be more accustomed to gas-powered mowers and some are not impressed with the polymer deck. Other reviewers have expressed dissatisfaction with the bag’s inability to store clippings without spillage.
Here is what two reviewers have to say.
First a 5 star reviewer:
“Just as other reviewers have stated it arrived in a big box on my front porch. Assembling the handle and attaching the bagger was a snap. It IS a two-prong input into the handle of the Lawn Hog – I already had that type of cord. I plugged it in, pulled up the orange handle up and WHAMO! It roared to power! In my opinion, this mower is comparable to a 6.5HP gas mower – others may disagree but I will tell you, this thing is POWERFUL. It cuts the grass with the cleanest cut out of any mower I have ever owned and does no damage to the lawn sprouts (as long as you do not set the height adjustment to scalp your lawn). The height adjustment is fingertip easy.
TIP#1: To assure the bag fills evenly
With the bag empty – cut for about 2-3 minutes, stop the mower, take off the bag, shake the accumulated contents to the rear of the bag and put the bag back on the Lawn Hog. Now you should be able to cut until the bagger reaches capacity and it will fill evenly.” Read more …
And this, from a 3 star reviewer:
This product is not perfect. It is largely plastic, and prone to breakage if you use it as though it is of the old, all-metal construction. In fact, between the time we took delivery on our second unit and my dropping the first at the dump, we had to cannibalize a part from the prior unit. That said, we prefer an electric model, and when used judiciously it will plow through and handle long, thick grass and mulch up leaves, to boot. Just be sure not to run it over hard objects, which one shouldn’t do in any case, but the plastic construction really comes clear when you might do so. Also the electic motor can burn out if you try running it mercilessly in damp grass. Read more …
Price
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This is a very affordable lawn mower, but you must be sure you are ready for an electric machine before you buy. If the MM875 is ideal for your yard and usage, the this is a good value machine.
Check the links below for an up to date price:
Buy the [easyazon-link asin=”B00005AKZI” locale=”us”]Black & Decker MM875 Lawn Hog 19-Inch electric mulching mower with rear bag[/easyazon-link] at [easyazon-link asin=”B00005AKZI” locale=”us”]Amazon[/easyazon-link] and you should get free shipping too.
Other Black and Decker electric lawn mower models
Black and Decker MM1800
The [easyazon-link asin=”B002YK4V0E” locale=”us”]Black & Decker MM1800 electric lawn mower[/easyazon-link] is similar to the MM875, but it has an 18 inch deck size compared with the MM87’s 19 inches. It is also lighter at 46 pounds (compared to 52).
Black & Decker MM575
The [easyazon-link asin=”B00005AKZG” locale=”us”]Black & Decker MM575 Lawn Hog electric mulching mower[/easyazon-link] is also very similar.
Again it is an 18 inch model but comes with side discharge and mulching capabilities.
It can bag clippings but you have to buy the bag separately.
What do you think?
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Do you own one of the Black and Decker electric lawn mowers?
Let us know what you think of it in the comments below.
Ready to buy?
Buy the [easyazon-link asin=”B00005AKZI” locale=”us”]Black & Decker MM875 Lawn Hog 19-Inch 12 amp Electric Mulching Mower with Rear Bag[/easyazon-link] now at [easyazon-link asin=”B00005AKZI” locale=”us”]Amazon[/easyazon-link]
I just bought the Black and Decker Electric Lawn Hog. I have pulled the level up, but it wouldn’t start. What should I look for to get it started?
Hi Pamela
It’s hard to say. With an electric model there’s not much that you can check yourself other than cord, fuses plugs etc. You may need to go straight back to the retailer if those checks turn up nothing.