Black & Decker CM1836 18-Inch 36-Volt Cordless Electric Lawn Mower

Reviews of Black & Decker CM1836 18-Inch 36-Volt Cordless Electric Lawn Mower

1.) Great product.
Reviewed by: Robert F.
Rating:
Easy to put together and clean. The charge was more than sufficient. Quiet and has many safety features. Highly recommend this lawn mower.

2.) Even a Cave Woman Can Do It
Reviewed by: E. Chiaretti RENO, NV, US
Rating:
It took me only 20 minutes to put together and that included five minutes to find my glasses to read the directions. Not only was it easy to assemble but it actually worked. It took me a little time to find the correct cutting high but the adjustment element was easy to change. I am very happy that it is not too loud, it did a wonderful job and oh happy day that I don't have to deal with gasoline. It is just another great Black and Decker product that was processed through Amazon in record time.


3.) Just What I Needed!
Reviewed by: ...just wandering the world.
Rating:
Best mower that I've owned. Starts up easy and runs over my lawn great (I don't have really long grass). The bag doesn't get in the way of mowing and it's easy to disconnect. This is a great mower!

4.) Great mower
Reviewed by: yosemite yosemite
Rating:
We have owned the Neuton ce5 battery mower for years. it worked so well we were going to buy another until i saw this 36 volt b&d mower for $80 less.

the black and decker is much more powerful and cuts a 18" swath compared to the neutons 14". i took my new b&d mower out and mowed all our lawns and a bunch of weeds in a field and it still had power to spare. the neuton would have run out long ago.

the only thing i do not like about the b&d is that you can not take the battery out. it is convenient to be able to take out the neutons battery and charge it in the garage or house.

besides that it is a much better deal than the neuton.

5.) more than adequate, obtrusive orange color
Reviewed by: T. Bair Grand Rapids, MI
Rating:
Decided to go cordless electric after trying elderly neighbor's little jimmy neuton. That 50 lb., 14" model did a good job but died half way through my yard on a full charge. I looked at 90 lb., 24v. models which are common these days. (and on sale) But I wanted something a little lighter (for the wife) and with adequate power and stamina to complete my Wisteria Lane size yard. Enter this 36v B&D model. At 62 lbs with a 18" cut it is just the ticket. And what amazes me is that at height setting 3, it was able to complete my entire yard front and back on the existing charge out of the box! And with power to spare! "ya gotta be kidding me" says I. Should have ordered from Amazon. Could have saved eighty bucks. But I was in big "M" and they had a small stack of these so I grabbed one there. (still have 30 days to return to store and then order one here) Good mower. happy with purchase. Very easy to push and use. The one touch height adjustment is very nice and easy as well. Plan to update this review in about a year and hopefully after many happy mowings.

I wonder how many potential buyers are put off by the corporate B&D orange color? I know I was at first. Bet they would sell a few more of these if it was offered in a green similar to the Neuton or some of their corded models. Just consider it "safety orange" to remind the little tykes not to get too close while your mowing and you'll feel better about pushing this orange thing around your nice yard. Want to be less obtrusive in your neighborhood? Unscrew the cover and re-paint it to the color of your choice. Which I may well do.

*UPDATE* - 6/28/10 Repainted the shroud olive drab. Now not only does it look more at home in my yard but it also looks very military and stealthy. Stencil on my name in black and I'll be all set. The shroud comes off with 6 T-20 torx screws. You'll find 3 12v 10AH batteries in there. These are common enough, used in lots of things. Available on ebay for sixteen bucks a piece. A lot cheaper than B&D who wants a hundred bucks for the set. enjoy your mower. I know I am.

6.) Easy to assemble, easy to use.
Reviewed by: Dr. Propaganda Stillwater, OK, USA
Rating:
I like this mower. It was quick to assemble, and started right up after about a 2 hour charge. It is quiet, and not too heavy, although if you are used to a self propelled model you might discover that 62 pounds is heavier than it sounds. But I sure didn't miss yanking the pull cord to start the engine!

7.) An awesome choice
Reviewed by: JoanVT
Rating:
This mower is everything I hoped it would be. It charges in no time at all and runs for longer than I have the stamina to run down the battery. Aside from being heavy and really a challenge on hilly land this is a great mower. The height adjustment is just one lever, the bagger goes on and off like a breeze, and it will cut anything I ask it to. Haven't used it with the mulching attachment on yet, but I'm loving the bagger. Who needs a gym membership when you can get all this upper body workout while making your lawn look good?

8.) Average performance, needs swappable battery feature
Reviewed by: U.S. Book Reviewer
Rating:
I always hated using a gas mower. In advance of buying a new home I researched cordless models and then purchased the CM1836.

Assembly requires simple hand tools: an adjustable wrench and a Phillips screwdriver, if I remember correctly. Also, having a second person to assist with lifting the mower out of the box is helpful.

The instructions state the battery should be charged overnight. After only an hour of charging the indicator light changed from red to green, so I decided to try out the mower. Unfortunately, the mower itself has no battery life indicator.

The first thing I discovered is that the height adjustment is not like the one in the Black & Decker video for the CM1936. The CM1836 has a different mechanism that is much harder to use.

At a quick pace I cut the entire lawn, which has Bermuda grass. I have a 2-story home with a large backyard. Near the end of the mowing session I noticed the battery power had considerably diminished. Mulching was done very well, by the way.

A week later I mowed the lawn a second time after letting the battery charge overnight. I had noticed that my lawn height was higher than that of my neighbors, so I adjusted the mower height to a lower setting before beginning to cut the lawn. Again I struggled with the height adjustment lever.

This time I mowed the lawn at a slow to moderate pace. The mower almost completely ran out of battery power near the very end of the session. I had even paused between the front and rear lawns, charging the battery for 30 minutes to give it some recovery. Running down the battery this low is not good for the long term. You will kill the battery in a single season when using it this way.

Like gas mowers, the CM1836 collects a lot of dirt and clippings on the exterior. Promotional videos on the web do not show this collection of dirt and grass. You will have to clean this mower like any other you may have used.

Overall, this is a good lawnmower. However, it is inadequate for the size of many lawns. My advice to everyone is to avoid this mower and buy the next best model. I returned the CM1836 and I am waiting for my CM1936 with swappable batteries to be delivered.

9.) Black & Decker Cordless Electric Mower
Reviewed by: Leon Martino Guilderland NY
Rating:
The Mower works great. My wife wanted something she could use around the garden that was not to cumbersome and did not need a wire extention following her around. This machine fit the bill. It is effecient, easiy to use and quiet. The only draw back is setting the mowing hit. While one lever does all 4 wheels it is hard as you actually lift the machine for each height adjustment. Suggstion -find a good height and leave it.

PS The mower does not even scare the cats...something my Riding Mower cannot say.

10.) So far so good.
Reviewed by: Brian P. Hecimovich
Rating:
This mower gets the job done!

One charge is enough to cut my yard (a little over 1/4 acre). My back yard is a little uneven and it does have some trouble with handling the bumps, but I just take it a little slower and works great. Also, it isn't as powerful as my previous gas models but as long as you don't let your grass get too long you shouldn't have any issues with getting the job done. The few negatives are greatly outweighed by no gas and no emissions!

11.) So far, little improvement over the 24v...
Reviewed by: CoachRick Austin(way hot!), TX
Rating:
By way of background, I bought a corded B&D version of this mower in '99 and used it until two years ago(although, as explained below, I used it infrequently for the last two years I owned it.) when I gave it to Sis and BIL. I had a CM1000 for three years(left it behind in Atlanta), bought the CM1200 two years ago upon our arrival in Austin. I also had a Neuton 24v for three years and gave that to the other Sis. The corded B&D model was used for monkey grass and other heavy cutting occasionally during its later years--I really enjoyed the convenience of the cordLESS models even though the corded had a bit more power. Plenty of experience with electric mowers, in other words.

Moving on to THIS B&D CM1836, I have to offer mixed reviews. By no measure, can I determine that this mower has more power than either of my previous 24v models. It is no more capable in 'higher' St. Augustine or when the grass is slightly damp(Austin has finally gotten a good amount of rain this year--first since we moved here for the past two 'drought' years). I usually mow in the early evening when the grass is dry; but, after a week of rainy weather, I tried the new mower in SLIGHTLY damp grass and/or grass that was about an inch longer than I usually experience. This new mower has the same challenges in these conditions when compared to my previous 24v models. The answer is to mow at the highest setting(already doing that) AND cutting a more narrow swath of grass to keep from bogging down the motor. Of course, cutting a narrow path results in a longer mow time and now the run-time of the battery becomes an issue. I have to say this new battery is no better than the 24v battery when new. I always let the battery cool down before recharging after a mowing session and usually have a full day between mowing sessions. I'm afraid this 36v model shows no improvement over the 24v model in overall power, run-time or recharge time.

Why 4 stars,you ask? It is still a great concept AND the 36v model on Amazon is less than I paid for my last two 24v models(with a 10% discount at one of the 'big boxes'). I prefer the old height adjustment system, but this one's pretty easy, also. No second key included with the new model(in case one goes missing) and the charging system is similar in many ways...no better, no worse. The new model is 'designed' to stand on end by propping the mower on the handle when folded...not bad but perhaps dangerous if kiddos are around while the mower is stored. This comes in handy when changing blades, etc. Speaking of blades, DO NOT expect the 'old' B&D 18" blade OR another brand of 18" replacement blade to fit the new 36v model. The new model has a larger arbor and will not accept the older blades...of course, no one has ordered the new blades yet. The 'zon shows them as available but at a bit of a premium price. Doesn't hurt to have an extra blade(sharpened at your leisure) waiting for installation(some folks also 'add' a blade in an 'X' fashion as some mowers have...it can be done to the B&D but it's not 'factory'). ALSO, just as an aftermarket 19" blade didn't fit the CM1200(go ahead and get an 18" unless you use the B&D branded model), a 'replacement' 18" blade is too large for this mower(again, unless you get the hard-to-find B&D model). I guess that's one reason I own a grinder, also. :)

All in all, I believe the 4-star rating is about right; although, I would rate it lower had I paid a premium to get the 36v. It's too bad the 'upgrade' to 36v isn't readily apparent in day to day use. I sold my two-year-old CM1200 for a fair price and put $150 toward this new one in addition. Not bad for a new mower...just not as 'new and improved' as I would have liked.


12.) Good for mowing grass but like all mowers it can lead to horrific injuries
Reviewed by: Brian
Rating:
I have been on the lookout for a mower that is especially good for mowing grass. Unfortunately, gas-powered mowers emit fumes that cause me to become dizzy and nauseous after a few hours, particularly within the confines of a garage with all the doors closed and the mower running. I have tried manual push mowers, however after suffering a stroke due to a combination of physical exertion and diet pills my doctor has advised against them. I am also barred from using a riding lawn mower due to a lawsuit from my homeowners association.

After reading the reviews on several electric mowers, I selected this one mainly because it was a Black & Deckard and I thought the battery might be interchangeable with the one in my power drill. As it turns out this is not the case, so if you are thinking the same then do not purchase this mower for that reason! However this mower will mow grass to the specified length just as good as any gas-powered mower that I have ever used.

However if you are going to use this mower, obey all safety warnings because these mowers are dangerous machines! On my third time out with the mower, I was slightly hazy from some Ambien taken earlier in the day and did not notice running over my 14-year-old son's foot until hours later when the police came to question me. By that time the charge on the battery had long since died so I was incapable of doing harm to anyone else while I pushed the mower up and down my yard, still under a medicated trance. Obviously the lesson from this is to stay more alert while on medication, particularly when operating a dangerous machine.

However this is not a complaint specific to the Black & Deckard mower, but to all mowers in general. I am otherwise very satisfied with this mower, although I took one star off because I do not like the orange color of the housing although if you like that color you may well deem this a five star review with guns blazing.

13.) Just a notch above a toy!
Reviewed by: Game geek Chicago, USA
Rating:
I purchased this lawn mower as my son had just turned 11 and I wanted him to perform some of the chores around the house. This was pretty well suited for this purpose, as it weighs only 62 lbs and is easy to start. I was amazed to find that he was easily able to handle the mower and finished mowing the entire yard the very first time. Additional advantages include zero emissions, no lube oil to change, easy storage etc.
Two weeks later, I was trying to compare the energy consumption of different lawn mowers to find that on an average the power ratings are

Gasoline powered lawn mowers - 5 kW (6.75 hp)
Electric lawn mowers - approx. 1.43 kW (12 to 13 Amp at 110 VAC)
Battery powered CM1836 - 0.36 kW (this one just had three 12 VDC lead acid batteries in series, each rated to 10 Amp-hr)

So in summary, the performance of each of these mowers can be expected to be proportional to their power. The gasoline powered ones will cut the grass irrespective of height. Also they tend to have wider deck widths (up to 22"), which helps in making fewer passes while covering an large area. The extra power in these is often used to power the front wheels for "self-propulsion." Opt for key start option if you want to avoid a strained shoulder. Also, these will need yearly tune up, lube oil change and tend to be heavy. Also, the single cylinder engines used in these mowers generate enough vibration to make you feel tired after a single lawn mowing session.

The electric lawn mowers while being light, also avoid the vibration, pollutant emissions, tuning etc. However, one will have to lug around a plugged-in cable and are not suitable for use with a very large yard. Also, because of the lower power rating, they have a smaller deck width which ranges 18 to 19" only. This means more number of passes. However, people who have used these just seem to like them.

As the battery powered ones are the lowest in power, they can be purchased in deck widths ranging from 14" to 19". After you get past the novelty factor, you start realizing that the current versions are just a notch above toys. These need more passes, a finely sharpened blade, and grass cut height to be just an inch or so. There is no good knowledgebase as to how long the batteries will last, or how much they cost to replace. (The manufacturer recommends leaving them plugged in while the mower is not in use). The weight of these mowers ranges between 60 and 70 lbs, and as a result do not need self-propulsion. Overall, they are a joy to use, but the battery technology has to improve further to be at least comparable to electric mowers. Doubling or tripling the amount of stored power and the rate at which it is dissipated to the motor will be desirable.


14.) Good but not great
Reviewed by: FreqShopper Bethesda, MD
Rating:
Our house sits on 1/4 of an acre which means we have less than 1/4 of an acre to mow.

We purchased this mower based on the reviews and the notion that we would easily be able to mow the lawn on one charge. This has been far from the truth. So far we have had to charge the mower on average 3 times to get the whole lawn mowed. If I had known this at the time of purchase I would have opted for a different mower.

When working, the mower does do a good job and is fairly quite. It folds in a compact manner which allows for easy storage.

Nice concept but not what I expected.

15.) mildly pleased so far
Reviewed by: H. Kramer Chicago, IL
Rating:
I have used the mower 3 times so far without much difficulty. It will not cut real heavy grass. The mower arrived with a cracked top shroud. I really dislike returning items, particularly large ones so I did'nt return it. I may need an entire season for a complete review.

Features of Black & Decker CM1836 18-Inch 36-Volt Cordless Electric Lawn Mower

1.) Cordless electric lawn mower with integrated 36V battery for cutting lawns up to 1/3 acre;
2.) Produces zero emissions; includes Energy Star rated charger;
3.) 1-touch adjustment quickly changes height on all 4 wheels simultaneopusly;
4.) 18-inch deck size; weighs 64 pounds;
5.) 2-year limited warranty; includes rear bag assembly, mulch plug, safety key, battery charger;

Package Height x Length x Width: 37.5 in. x 37.5 in. x 21.5 in.
Package Weight: 76.4 lbs.