Review — Black and Decker Alligator Lopper

If you’ve never heard of the Black and Decker Alligator lopper my only question is: Where have you been?  When I stumbled upon this tool I have to be honest, I was somewhat in awe of it. Why? Because this tool is exceptional at what it does is fill a need that consumers yearn for – an easier way to cut wood, and in this case, it safely cuts wood under 4 inches.

In fact, the Black and Decker Alligator lopper is so good that you don’t need a chainsaw if your yard work doesn’t require cutting wood any larger than 4 inches. Some customers claim that it can cut wood up to 5 inches in diameter. Even better. Manufacturers are typically conservative when it comes to their recommendations, and in this case, to your advantage.

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Work Safer —  Black+Decker Alligator

It’s far too common for people to think that a chainsaw is the only tool available for cutting branches, logs, twigs, vines or even small trees. But lets face it, chainsaws can be very intimidating, especially if you’re a first time user. Chainsaws are highly effective and useful for cutting wood but they do require a certain degree of skill; forcing you to learn the nuances of chainsaw operation and have knowledge of proper safety procedures.

20V Battery — Black and Decker Alligator Lopper — LLP220

Another big advantage of the Black and Decker Alligator lopper is the fact that it’s safer to use than a chainsaw due to its advanced design. See the video in this article to see how it works and you’ll quickly understand why. Plus it’s much lighter than a chainsaw.

Watch out Black+Decker, there’s a new tool in town.

New 2019 : Compare to ► Craftsman 20V Looper ★★★★⅓

Features :

• Patented clamping jaws easily and safely grab and cut tree limbs
• Scissor type action fast cutting in one easy motion
• Cuts up to 4″ Diameter ideal for storm clean up
• Compact design for pruning trees & shrubs
• Includes battery and charger

The WORX JawSaw is another chainsaw alternative you might want to consider. It has a unique design that makes it stand out from the Alligator Looper.

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Alligator Lopper : Model Comparison

Model	Weight	Power Source	Voltage/Amps	Rating
Black & Decker LP1000	6.5 lbs	Electric	4.5 Amps	4.7/5
Black and Decker LLP120B	6.8 lbs	Lithium Ion Battery (Not Included)	20 Volts	4.6/5
Black & Decker NLP1800	7.9 lbs	NiCad Battery	18 Volts	4.6/5

I certainly wouldn’t recommend a chainsaw for everyone and in all honesty, in some cases they’re completely unnecessary and would be considered overkill. They are a dangerous tool especially for people who treat them like any other power tool. For people who aren’t comfortable using a chainsaw there are alternatives and I’m here to introduce you to a great one: the Black and Decker Alligator lopper.

So, if you’re someone who needs to do some light cleanup work around your home, which might include: cutting branches (limbing) around your yard, cutting small logs or even felling a very small tree, you’re in luck. Yup, Black and Decker has come up with a fantastic tool to help you to tackle these projects for cutting wood up to 4″  in diameter, and even slightly larger. Perhaps closer to 5″ according to customers.

The tool we’re spotlighting here is the Black and Decker Alligator lopper. There are three models for you to choose from; which you can see in the comparison chart included in this article.

Watch the Alligator Lopper cutting wood:

I love choices but sometimes I wish they just made one version of a tool so I don’t have to sift through all the data. They say that too many options actually degrades our level of happiness because as humans we tend to over-analyze and strive to make the best decision. So even after we make a decision we still wonder, “Did I make the best decision?”

Lately, I’ve been forcing myself to make decisions quicker by settling on the first choice that satisfies my criteria, otherwise known as “satisficing.” whether this is for a product or deciding on where to go eat lunch, the principle still applies. Thankfully, there are only three choices here and once you understand the differences I think you’ll be able to make a quick decision.

You can see the electric Black and Decker Alligator Lopper (LP1000) in action by watching the video below.  I can write about the Black and Decker Alligator all day but it’s one of those tools that you have to see in action to really understand it and then determine if it’s the right tool for you. Watch the video below of the Black and Decker Alligator in action.

Watch this video of the Alligator Lopper in action:

So, what do you think of the Black and Decker Alligator in action? I’m genuinely impressed or I wouldn’t be spending the time to write this article.

Features:

• Heavy-duty 6 inch cutting bar and chain
• 4″ maximum cutting capacity
• Grab and cut in one simple motion
• Accidental starting prevention with dual-hand switches that need to be activated to initiate cutting
• The Alligator Lopper™ is ideal for tree pruning and clearing brush and is a great alternative to chainsaws, manual loppers, handsaws and clippers
• Powerful. Fast cutting
• Patented clamping jaws grab and cut limbs, logs and brush safely in one easy motion.
• Cuts limbs too big for manual loppers
• Innovative clamping jaws

Generally, all three of these models are the same tool with the main difference being in the power source: Electric vs Lithium Ion vs NiCad (Nickel-cadmium) but there are a few other differences that I want to point out here.

Black and Decker Alligator | LLP120B

The Black and Decker Alligator (LLP120B) does not come with a battery or charger so you need to buy both of these items separately. Yes, you read that correctly. Obviously if you buy this model then you need to purchase the battery and charger as well. If you forget to buy the battery and charger, well, then you’ll have an expensive pair of scissors to play with.

The advantage of the Black and Decker Alligator lopper (LLP120B) over the other two models is the Lithium-ion batteries it’s built upon offers a longer overall lifespan than NiCad (Nickel-cadmium) batteries, which is what the Black and Decker  Alligator lopper (NLP1800 uses. NiCad are older type batteries. The Li-ion (Lithium-ion) retains its charge 5x longer than similar 18V NiCad batteries, and you obviously don’t have to worry about an extension cord, which is what the Alligator LP1000 has. The greatest advantage of Li-ion batteries is they recharge quickly.

If you want to learn more about the different rechargeable battery types read the first section of the Battery Chainsaw Guide.

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Black and Decker Alligator Lopper LLP120

Other benefits are that you’ll get approximately 150 cuts of 1-1/2-inch branches per charge – according to Black and Decker. As you know, sometimes these estimates are generous so I’d be a little skeptical about those figures. Also, the Li-ion battery weighs about 50 percent less than the NiCad battery.

So, in summary, it’s basically lighter, will cut longer on a charge, be quicker to recharge and will have a longer lifespan. If you only plan on using the Black and Decker Alligator occasionally then these stats don’t matter much. In that case, save your money and buy the cheaper Black and Decker Alligator lopper (NLP1800) which comes with the battery and charger.

What’s included in the box? The Black and Decker Alligator lopper LLP120B, a wrench; bar and chain and oil bottle.

• Learn more about this model: Alligator Lopper | LLP120B
• Learn more about the Battery: 20V MAX Lithium-Ion battery | LBXR20
  
• Learn more about charger: Lithium-Ion Fast Charger (with Flash Charge) | L2AFCBST

You might also want to consider buying the longer lasting battery since it lasts twice as long as the LBXR20. If you plan on using this tool on a consistent basis then I would consider buying an extra battery: LB2X4020.

If you’re like me, I hate when my batteries die on me. I went on a trip to Kauai recently and brought three batteries for my camera – and I’m glad I did. Often I’d be out for the full day, usually going for a hike then ending up at the beach for some boogie boarding. By the time I arrived back at the hotel I was on my third battery. I wouldn’t have been too happy if I ran out of battery power when I was out exploring the island. The point is that batteries never last as long as you need them to. Again, it depends on how you plan to use the Black and Decker Alligator lopper.

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Black and Decker Alligator LP1000 | Electric

The Black & Decker Alligator lopper LP1000 is the corded version of the tool and also has the most reviews on Amazon with over 680 reviews at 4.7 out of 5 stars. That’s very impressive. What I’m trying to say is that customers who actually purchased this saw absolutely love it so there’s nothing more that I can really add to that. True validation comes from customers who use the device on a regular basis.

If you don’t mind dealing with an extension cord and you need to do a lot of cutting then this is certainly the model to buy. You can use this model all day long without ever having to worry about when the battery will die on you, which is makes yard work more pleasant and less stressful. If you don’t already have one, don’t forget to buy the right extension cord, and I’ve created a guide that goes into detail on how to decide: Extension Cord Buying Guide.

What’s included in the box?

• Oil Bottle
• Wrench

Perfect for:

• Pruning branches up to 4″ in diameter
• Cutting branches into manageable pieces
• Cleaning up after a storm
• Cutting for extended periods of time

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Black & Decker Alligator NLP1800

No longer available

The Black & Decker NLP1800 is identical to the other models except for the fact it uses the inferior NiCad battery and it’s heavier than the other versions. But it is cheaper and it comes with a battery and charger, which the Lithium-ion (Li-ion) LLP120B version does not.

This tool is such a great tool for cutting limbs and logs that I would expect that more people would buy one if they were aware that it’s the ideal alternative to chainsaws. It’s also the reason I wanted to spotlight this product for people who weren’t aware of it.

What’s included in the box?

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Conclusion | Black and Decker Alligator Lopper

There you have it. Three great versions of the same Black and Decker Alligator. Think about what you plan on doing with this tool and how much you’ll actually need to use it. Obviously your budget matters as well, and will factor into the model that’s right for you pocketbook.

If you need to do a lot of cutting then the LP1000 is definitely the model for you. If you only have a need for the lopper intermittently then the NLP1800 (NiCad) will suffice. But if you’re like me and want the versatility and freedom to move around then I’d personally buy the LLP120B (Li-ion) for its longer lasting battery, fast charging, and lightweight.

Honestly, the Black and Decker Alligator lopper is a fantastic tool because for a certain percentage of homeowners, it completely eliminates the need for a chainsaw, and instead, allows people to simply cut wood under 4″ without any fuss. The Black and Decker Alligator is a relatively safe tool that anybody can use.

Don’t forget to buy an extra battery! I’m confident the extra money you spend on it will pay you back in reduced frustration and greater productivity.

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If you’re not sure if the Black and Decker Alligator Lopper is right for you, I suggest you read our other guides to determine what type of chainsaw you need. Start with our buying guide to understand the basics.

• Chainsaw Buying Guide
• Best Chainsaw for the Money
• Top Chainsaws for Homeowners
• How to Buy an Extension Cord
• Top Handle Chainsaw for Homeowners
• Cheap Chainsaws you can Afford
• Quality Gas Chainsaws for Homeowners
• Electric Chainsaws
• Battery Chainsaws
• New for 2019 : Top Rated Chainsaw based on customer ratings