Anybody got one of these yet? Raven mower.

[Gale Hawkins]

I think they would be a cool toy if they actually function well.

 

[aczlan]

There are some sellers on Ebay with 30-0-30 and 75-0-75 ones for $40-$50 shipped to the US:
Durite - Ammeter Clip-on Induction 75-0-75 amp Bx1 - 0-534-75: Durite Ammeter Clip on Induction 75 0 75 Amp BX1 0 534 75 | eBay

Aaron Z

 

[SPYDERLK]

I think they would be a cool toy if they actually function well.

Its worth having around because it is zero maintenance, no storage issues. It will tell which way and approx how much current flows without fail every time you take it out of its cubby hole. Overcurrent causes no damage. I have started my car with my +-60A on the cable and it just pegged discharge and then flipped back to show charge after starting.

induction ammeters

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I was talking about the mower.

 

[peavey]

Muddin with the Raven.

 

[AchingBack]

I believe I've made up my mind, and when the cards are face up - here's how things look: retail price, $2999.00, minus 10% veterans discount, minus credit card 5% cash back on seasonal savings promo, minus special cash back bonus of $100 when you make at least $1,000 in purchases. Unless my math is wrong, I should be able to own a Raven for, $2464.15 - no sales tax in Oregon.

Considering the above, it may be to my advantage to throw in an extended service plan.

I'll be going to look at a Raven in the coming days. Our local store has one floor model on display, but none ready to buy.

I've done lots of research on the machine, read many blogs, opinions were informed, uninformed, ignorant, stupid, helpful.

The first thing attracting me to it was the front suspension. No ordinary mower would hold up on the terrain I have. This looks very durable, and mechanically easy to maintain. We'll see about the electronics. I'm not worried though. On one website I read many comments on it from the brother of the man who designed it. The Raven is not a pile of Chinese junk. However, there have been multiple problems with the seat switch, and one or two reports of blades spinning when they weren't electronically engaged.

With this machines 46" deck, I'll be able to go into places too small for my bush hog. Not only that, it will take over some of those areas I am maintaining with my DR walk behind, field and brush mower, 24" deck, and fairly slow. My other mower is a Neuton battery powered mower, 19" cut, very versatile; bags, mulches, side-discharge, trimmer attachment - non self-propelled, not quite high enough for my property, and quite heavy, due to the battery.

I'll try one, and if I don't like it, I've read how Lowes honors their return policy. However, I think this will be ideal on my ten acre parcel. The versatility of being able to tow a small trailer, mow grass, generate 7000 watts of electricity, and travel at up to17 mph is very appealing.

 

[aczlan]

If it had 220v out as an option, we would probbaly be very interested in it. It would be good for small areas around the house and running things out back.

Aaron Z

 

[AchingBack]

If it had 220v out as an option, we would probbaly be very interested in it. It would be good for small areas around the house and running things out back.

Aaron Z

I've read you can use a step up transformer to use 220v equipment.

 

[jeff_jeff]

I've read you can use a step up transformer to use 220v equipment.

Yup, I use an AVR-5000

 

[dutch4505]

They are back on sale. Lowes at Bellingham, WA three grand. Check out youtube. Some great videos. I prefer the honesty on the private user videos instead of the corporate sales videos. I may wait till next year. I like the idea of being to "drive around" a 7,000 watt generater. Also I wonder how they work on hilly countryside. Something that is important for the pacific north west.

 

[AchingBack]

Again, Lowes has pulled the mower from the stores. It seems there are too many quality issues.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

the sales person at Lowes says they have been pulled off of the market due to defects.

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

That's strange. Usually defective goods remain on the market while the "bugs" are worked out. Either that or I have an affinity for the lemons of the group.

 

[CliffordK]

I stopped by Lowes a couple of weeks ago.
They said there was a recall on the seat switch.

That would likely be considered a critical safety issue, and might have made the tractor unsaleable.

Perhaps there were other issues, for example with the charging system and hybrid drive which could also render the tractor unsafe or otherwise unusable.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

The Mayfield store as even pulled the display. The Lowes rep from what I understood thought the maker wanted to go back and try to get it right at the design level. It was a lot more than a bad safety switch I expect. I still say it is a cool concept. Hopefully they have enough cash to get it right and come back onto the market but 2013 is history for the lawn mower business as far as new designs getting to the market perhaps.

Did any owners get asked to turn in the mower for a full refund?

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Lowe's speedy Raven mower back on sale after flaw fixed

The one comment at the bottom of this article sums up critical design issues of blades clashing and flying apart. Other points are mentioned too.

 

[CliffordK]

That article is a month and a half old. Is the mower on sale now?

It sounds like the mower should have been introduced in a small community, and perhaps to some commercial operations. Let them beat on them for a year, then introduce the product nationwide.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Last night the person in the Lowes lawn care department stated the Raven mower display has been pulled CliffordK. I think you are correct about field testing it hard first. Blades fighting each other would not be hard to detect if they had field tested it I would think.

It sounds like it was just introduced a year or two too soon. A nationwide false start could doom its future.

On a side note locally TSC looks to be very serious about moving some high end riders based on their parking lot inventory.

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

It sounds like the mower should have been introduced in a small community, and perhaps to some commercial operations. Let them beat on them for a year, then introduce the product nationwide.

After a commercial operation "beat on them for a year" the manufacturer would probably raise a white flag and suggest they buy a Kubota or JD

 

[AchingBack]

The parent company, Denver Global, is going through a big shake up. Thus, part of the problem is revealed: Denver Global execs out in dispute with new Chinese owners - Charlotte Business Journal


May 14, 2013, 2:52pm EDT Updated: May 14, 2013, 3:11pm EDT
Ken Elkins
Senior Staff Writer- Charlotte Business Journal


Ten top executives at Denver Global Products Inc. including Roger Leon, president and chief executive have left the company in a dispute with its new Chinese owners.

But the story won稚 end there. 典here is some likely litigation, Leon says.

The disagreement stems from 斗argely differing views and opinions in how to proceed with the company, he says. The executives left the company two weeks ago and will likely come together again around other products, Leon says.

In February 2012, Chongqing RATO Power Co. Ltd. of China announced its purchase of Denver Global from Leon and others and planned to grow to as many as 1,000 production workers in Lincoln County.

At the center of the plan is a small hybrid engine. The design combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor. The system cuts emissions and fuel consumption by combining the two means of power.

Denver Global痴 plan was to sell the system to original equipment manufacturers that would put the hybrid power train into all-terrain vehicles, riding lawn mowers, golf carts and other off-road vehicles. The concept is akin to the hybrid automobiles and trucks being sold by most automakers, Leon explained in interviews last year with the Charlotte Business Journal.

The new chief executive is Mike Parkins, the former chief financial officer. Jin Xiang is Denver Global痴 new president. The company didn't return a call for comment.

Last year, the company began making the hybrid small engines in a huge Lincoln County Industrial Park building. One source who visited the assembly area says employment had reached 300.

RATO and Denver Global are occupying the former Crate & Barrel building in Lincoln County Industrial Park. The companies plan to spend $30.2 million to set up an assembly and distribution center there.