Raven lawn tractor grounded for third and last time

A hybrid lawn tractor that can travel at 17 mph and packs a 7,100-watt generator may have been an idea before its time. The Raven MPV-710, $3,000, that intrigued our lawn mower testers earlier this year has been recalled by its manufacturer, Denver Global Products, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Denver Global is telling owners to stop using the tractor, remove the key and two fuses and return it to Lowe's, where it was sold.  

Consumer Reports first tested the Raven MPV-710 last winter at our mower testing site in Fort Myers, Fla., with mixed results. It fell short as a mower and had drawbacks as a generator. In mowing mode, the low-angled side-discharge chute left rows of clippings. And while the Raven's generator delivered enough wattage to power our test appliances, handled surges well, and provided consistent voltage, the receptacle for making the connection to the transfer switch was an impractical 120 volt rather than the necessary 240 volt.

Shortly after our tests Lowe's, the exclusive retailer, halted sales. Three months later the Raven was grounded again. Problems with the mower included the possibility of the blades detaching during use, or starting without being turned on; the tractor moving forward inadvertently, and leaking fuel lines.

The letter we received from Denver Global Products requested we return the mower we bought for testing to the nearest Lowe's store, and our return proceeded smoothly—with our shopper out of the store in less than 15 minutes. It helps to have your sales receipt and a copy of the recall letter. Owners who can't easily return their Raven to a Lowe's store, should contact Denver Global to arrange a pickup. Or call 888-321-5700.

Despite the setback of the nationwide recall, the manufacturer has announced successor models to the Raven MPV-710. The new MPV-7100 and MPV-7100S also offer a 46-inch deck, 7,100-watt generator, and 17-mph ground speed. But the company says it has corrected the flaws of the original MPV-710 and made other improvements. When we asked, Lowe's wouldn't say whether it would consider selling the newly improved Ravens.

By the time you're thinking about mowing again, we'll have the results of our next batch of mower tests. We'll be updating our Ratings of walk-behind mowers, lawn tractors, and zero-turn-radius riders with many new models before the snow melts.

—Ed Perratore