Raven retools hybrid tractor that had been recalled

After Consumer Reports tested the problem-plagued Raven hybrid lawn tractor last year, we didn't expect to see it in Lowe's stores again. The $3,000 MPV-710 looked promising, with 17-mph ground speed, side-discharge mowing, and a built-in 7,100-watt generator that charged a battery pack. But the machine had so many problems that  sales were halted and eventually the manufacturer, Denver Global Products, initiated a full recall. Now the Raven is back. The Raven MPV-7100, a successor version, is selling at more than 110 stores as a trial run to potential nationwide distribution so we're going to test it again.

The Raven MPV-7100 sold in Lowe's might look the same as the red-and-black MPV-710 that was in stores last year. But beyond the shell, the engine, and the generator, the manufacturer made more than 250 changes including the new $4,000 price. The 46-inch deck has been upgraded, the motors powering the blades (no belts) are redesigned, and there's now rack-and-pinion steering. A new wiring system should help repel water. And the switch that shuts off the ignition when you leave your seat—which on the MPV-710 appeared to cause surges when riding over bumps—is now integrated into the seat as on zero-turn-radius riding mowers. Perhaps most important, claims Denver Global, the product has undergone third-party qualification, something the earlier team (since replaced) neglected to do.

In addition to the Lowe's stores, all of which are located in the south and southwest, Denver Global tells us the product is also available at more than 100 dealers—although it's not on Lowe's website. The $4,500 MPV-7100B is an all-black version that adds a high-back and adjustable seat, and the MPV-7100S (for Sport) comes with the better seat and adds camo coloring that apparently has piqued the interest of the majority of Lowe's shoppers who see the Raven.

In our upcoming tests we plan to check whether the side-discharge chute for the sole mowing mode is angled higher than the previous one, which left significant rows of clippings. From watching videos of the new mower in action, we believe that changing speed ranges between mowing and speeding back to the shed still requires getting off the seat and groping beneath it for a small lever, which was inconvenient. We'll also test the mower's generator using our regular generator tests.

In the meantime, if you're looking for a riding mower or a portable generator, there's plenty to choose from in our current tests. The 42-inch John Deere X300, $3,000, and 46-inch Husqvarna YT46LS, $2,300, were impressive lawn tractors for both side-discharging and mulching—and even better at bagging. The 42-inch Troy-Bilt Mustang 42" 17WFCACS zero-turn-radius rider, $2,300, was superlative in all three modes. And for a portable generator, the Generac RS7000E, Troy-Bilt XP7000 30477, and Briggs & Stratton 30470, all $900, were among the best at delivering plenty of smooth power.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)