Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #63757 in Home Improvement
• Brand: Yard Machines
• Model: 18A-V17-800
• Dimensions: 15.00" h x 22.00" w x 31.00" l,

Features

• 12 Amp Electric Motor
• Mulch or Bag Your Grass
• Cordminder Cord Control
• 1500 Watt Motor
• Push Mower

Amazon.com Review
This quiet, lightweight, and efficient electric mower/mulcher is ideal for anyone who hates the high maintenance, difficult pull starts, and air and noise pollution associated with heavy gas machines. A 1500-watt, 12-amp motor provides ample power for small- to medium-sized yards, while large wheels (7-inch in front and 8-inch in back) make pushing a breeze. The fully baffled, side-discharge cutting deck is made from steel for strength and durability. A deep dome produces fine clippings that decay quickly to give your lawn a shot of organic fertilizer without chemicals or extra work on your part. Alternately, a 2.3-bushel rear bag made from nylon can be used to capture clippings for a tidier-looking lawn.

In the past, using an electric mower meant dealing with awkward extension cords--even operating the unit one-handed while the other hand moves the cord around. This mower solves the problem with a handy cordkeeper. Other convenient features include a nine-position, fingertip-height adjuster that lets you choose any cutting height between one and 3-1/2 inches--so you can accommodate time of year, rainfall, and changing lawn conditions. The YardMachines V17 weighs 60 pounds and is covered by a 2-year, limited warranty. --Mary Park

Amazon.com Buying Guide
Five Tips for Buying a Mower
Choosing a lawn mower is a matter of sifting through a bewildering array of types, power ratings, and fuel sources. Let’s break it down a little to make the process easier.

What types of walk-behind mowers are there?
There are four basic choices: push reel, electric, cordless, and gas. All have strengths and weaknesses.

• Push reel mowers are powered by you. They’re quiet, they don’t need cords or recharging, and they don’t pollute. But on large lawns, you might not want the workout you get when using a push reel mower. They also tend to be less effective on grass taller than two inches.
• Electric mowers need to be plugged into an outlet to power them, which means you’re constrained by the location of power outlets, the length of your power cord, and any obstacles that may snag the cord. If you have a small yard but don’t want the forced exercise of using a push reel mower, an electric mower may be for you.
• Cordless mowers are powered by a rechargeable battery. You don’t have to deal with the hassles of keeping a cord plugged in, but battery life becomes a constraint. Depending on the battery capacity, the size of your yard, and the height of your grass, you may not be able to complete your mowing job on one charge.
• Gas mowers offer the most power, which is best if you’ll be mowing tall, dense grass or if your yard is larger than 2,000 square feet. But you will have to keep gas and oil on hand as well as keep the engine serviced.

What do all the power measurements mean?
All that matters to you is whether the lawn mower’s blade will spin fast enough to cut your grass. Unfortunately, mowers are rated in far more technical terms.

For gas mowers, there are three power measurements you may see:

• horsepower (hp) refers to the amount of power the engine can produce;
• torque is the amount of horsepower that is transferred to the blade;
• cc (cubic centimeters) is another to measure an engine’s power based on the displacement volume of its cylinders.

There also are two types of engines: two-stroke (also referred to as two-cycle) and four-stroke (or four-cycle). Conventional wisdom is that two-stroke engines offer more power but also more pollution.
For electric and cordless mowers, power often is measured in volts, amps, or watts. To satisfy your inner techie, here’s how to calculate the horsepower:
39. Multiply the volts by the amps to get the wattage.
40. Divide the wattage by 746 to get the horsepower.

More horsepower doesn’t always mean more cutting power. That’s why, starting in 2007, most lawnmower manufacturers began rating walk-behind lawn mowers in torque power or cc’s--not horsepower. If torque isn’t available for a gas mower, higher cc figures usually mean higher torque (and more fuel used per stroke, incidentally).

However, you don’t want to buy a mower based on the power measurement alone. Make sure it has the features, warranty, and quality of reviews you’re seeking.

What features should I look for?

• Cutting Deck
  This refers to the blade housing. The wider the cutting deck, the fewer passes it will take to mow a given area. However, consider how many obstacles there are in your yard. The wider the deck, the tougher it may be to fit the mower into tight spaces.
  

• Mulching and Bagging
  Want to collect your clippings? Choose a mower with a rear- or side-bag option. Want to leave clippings on the lawn as fertilizer? Get a mower that mulches. A "3-in-1" mower will mulch, bag, or side-discharge.
  

• Wheels
  Larger wheels mean easier handling, especially over rough terrain. If you can, go with at least 7-inch-diameter wheels in the rear--larger if your yard is hilly or uneven. Some higher-end mowers have front wheels on casters, which gives you an extremely tight turning radius.
  

• Height Adjustment
  Most mowers allow you to adjust the distance between the blade and the ground. Think about how much range you really need.
  

• Safety
  Many newer rotary machines are available with a lever or bar that must be depressed to keep the mower running (some models include a handy blade-brake that lets you release the lever without killing the engine).
  Also, look for models with a rubber flap at the back to block objects thrown from the blades. You should always wear safety goggles when mowing and follow all the manufacturer’s safety instructions regardless of the mower you’re using.
  

• Batteries
  If you’re buying a cordless mower, think about how long it will run on a single charge. Most batteries take several hours to recharge, so you want to make sure it’s going to get the job done before it runs out of juice. As a rule of thumb, a typical 24-volt mower will run up to one-and-a-half hours and cut up to a third of an acre; a 36-volt mower will go for three hours and cut up to a half an acre.
  

• Cord holder
  A cord holder is useful for keeping the cord of your electric mower out of the way when you make turns.
  

• Starters
  Gas mowers are available either with recoil (pull-cord) or electric starters. Newer recoil motors start much quicker than those you remember from summers past. However, go with electric if you can afford it: your mower will start with the push of a button or the turn of a key.
  

• Self-propelled or push?
  A self-propelled mower moves forward without you having to push it. All you have to do is steer. If you have a relatively flat lawn, save a few bucks by skipping this feature. However, if your landscape has a slope or an irregular contour, a self-propelled model may be the best choice. Rear-wheel drive tends to offer better traction.
  

• Variable Speed
  If you want a self-propelled mower, look for models with variable speed. This feature allows you to make adjustments within a continuous range so you can find the exact speed that’s comfortable for you.

What servicing and maintenance is necessary?
Always buy a mower that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty and follow the manufacturer’s routine maintenance instructions for

• Cleaning the mower after usage;
• Keeping the blade sharp;
• Keeping the engine tuned up (gas mowers); and
• Keeping the battery charged (cordless mowers).

While Amazon.com does not accept returns on gas-powered mowers, the manufacturer’s Website or product manual will list the nearest service center.

What does CARB-compliant mean?
CARB is an acronym for California Air Resource Board, whose stringent air-quality standards have been adopted by many states. If your state requires compliance for gas mowers, confirm that your model is CARB-certified before you buy. While CARB-compliant mowers run cleaner than noncompliant models, they still emit pollutants. If you want to go green, an electric or push reel mower is the way to go.

From the Manufacturer
We appreciate that you work hard, that's why we make a machine that works hard for you. You don't need a fancy toy, you need something that gets the job done. And Yard Machines are just what you need when you need to get yard work done. Get ahead in your yard with Yard Machines. Most models offer 3-in-1 capability, allowing you to mulch, bag or side discharge your grass clippings. Self-propelled models have optional front wheel drive, for easy maneuvering without disengaging the drive.

Customer Reviews

Disappointment.
I wish I could agree with the other reviewer. After using the machine for about three times it did hit a rock. My fault, agreed, but not uncommon to happpen. So one of the first parts to break did indeed need replacement. About 20 dollars; no big deal you'd say. Were it not that in our part of the state (CA) no shop services electric lawn mowers (I wish someone had told me that before). So I ordered the part myself as it seems easy to replace. Now I've been waiting for more than three months because the manufacturer doesn't have this part available (REMEMBER: It's the part that would break down before anything else on this machine!). And whenever you want to speak to someone in customer service over at MTD you'd better have a lot of patience because it can take hours (IF you manage to get hold of someone).
I envy the other reviewer's satisfaction, but for us buying this machine has been a mistake. Of course it has to be better than B&D, for that's one of the lousiest brands on the planet. Still, you buy a mower because you need to use it, not for storing in the garage because the manufacturer won't help you solve a simple problem. I'd avoid MTD products.

YardMachines Mower Rocks!
About 3 years ago we bought a Black & Decker electric lawn mower. After the 1st season it need a huge repair that was covered under warranty. It made it through a 2nd season but died on us at the beginning of this summer.

We bought this YardMachines mower and it rocks. It has a metal body, a great cord keeper system, much more adjustable, easier to mow with its bigger wheels and BY FAR a better product than the B&D. Don't even consider the competition. This is a great product.

Improved Brushless Motor
Previous version of this mower (1998-2000?) used a motor that required brush maintenance (and replacement if worn out). The newer version (2001 & after) uses a brushless motor and the brush drawing in the 1998 user mannual is no longer shown in the latest mannual.

I recently opened the motor assembly to see if there is dirt inside. The mower was made in Hundary a few years ago. The brushless motor was made in Germany and labeled "13 Amp" even though the mower is rated at 12 Amp. This might be part of the reason why this mower seems to have a bit more power than the the current Black & Decker 19" mower, assuming the B&D mower uses a 12 Amp motor as advertised and not the same "13 Amp" German motor.

The cord keeping system is a nice feature that makes mowing faster and reduces the risk of damaging the cord while moving.
Standard 120V AC outlet has limited power so it is difficult for the manufacturer to make this mower (or the similar B&D) larger and more powerful without using 240V AC (maybe safety concern?)