I know you still want the 2014 Raven MPV 7100 Hybrid Mower Generator, and no one else has come out with a product that even comes close to this new idea yet. But I also know that many of you are cautious about buying one this year. You really want to make sure the Raven is now ready to give you many years of use. So I am going to continue to keep you informed about the one I have here in Wisconsin.
I’m going to go through what others are saying and asking about the machine, what I’m doing, what issues I am having.
First, Comments that I have read on other reviews:
1. The engine is too small. The mower and the transmission is not powered by the gas engine. The gas engine only runs the generator and is sized to handle the 7100 watt generator. The power for the blades and transmission comes from brush-less electric motors powered by batteries. When you use the Raven’s engines you charge the batteries by running the generator. Even though the Raven weighs over twice as much as your lawn tractor it still has plenty of power to spin the tires on turf.
2. No-name Chinese engine. If you don’t follow the market as closely as I do you probably don’t know the name of this company but I will tell you that when you buy a new generator, water pump, gas welder, economy ATV, 4 wheeler, 2 wheel scooter or your kids new mini bike there is a really good chance the engine was made by RATO. They make a lot of engines for other companies including brands you have known and loved for years. It’s time we all get used to the fact that the Chinese engines that the name brand manufactures are using are some of the best built engine ever produced. Parts for this one are readily available through authorized dealers.
3. They took away the steering column adjustment lever. On the original Raven there was a plastic lever you could use to adjust the tilt of the steering column. On the new Raven this has been replaced by a bolt. The reason this was changed is many owners complained they could not get the bolt tight enough and the steering column would slip. The presented a driving hazard and in particular could be very dangerous if you were driving the Raven in high gear. The lever was replaced with a bolt for safety. You can still adjust it if you need to with a wrench.
4. There is no battery charger available. There is no need for a 48 volt charger. Here is what’s confusing for some. This propulsion system is different than a golf car or any of the current electric mowers on the market. The electric drive portion of the Raven is designed to be charged from the generator. You don’t need to plug it in when you are not using it. If you have been running around all week in battery mode and deplete the 48 volt batteries all you have to do is start the gas engine and the Raven quickly charges itself. The gen-set uses a separate starting battery. There is no need to hook up a charger to the 48 volt system. There is a 48 volt charging port on the generator panel…but there is no need to ever use it. Why find an outlet and plug it in for 12 hours when you can just start the engine and charge the system in a few minutes?
In fact we find that you can run around all week doing chores with the Raven MPV 7100 in battery mode. When I mow the lawn it charges the batteries and I am good to go for another week. I have yet to have it run out of juice.
The Raven does come with a trickle charger that will charge the starting battery if needed. I don’t expect I will ever need it.
5. I just want to mow my lawn so how good can this thing be? It does too many things. I do realize that the Raven’s blades are powered by electric motors versus gas engines on the others I cited. I’m just curious how it compares to traditional gasoline-powered mowers.
I am very impressed with the mowing quality and power available. Because it uses electric motors that are speed controlled the deck does not lug down in heavy grass. In fact the deck tries to maintain a constant speed on the blades and it does it a lot better than a belt-driven, gas powered deck.
July 3rd Mowing with Raven MPV-7100
The mowing quality is as good as any 42-48 inch lawn tractor on the market. It is a floating deck like most other lawn tractors so it will scalp on very uneven terrain but on good flat lawns you will be very impressed. To use another review site’s criteria.
- Side discharging: Excellent:
- Easy to maneuver.
- Includes features that make mowing more convenient.
- Includes an electric PTO.
- Includes a washout port.
- Includes cruise control.
- Includes comfortable high-back seat.
I really like the cruise control. It maintains your ground speed exactly.
6. Is the ground clearance adequate? How difficult is it to remove the mowing deck?
It’s really easy to remove the deck. Just a couple of pins and one electrical connector. No belt guides, belts and deck stabilizers. You don’t need a wrench to remove the deck. With the deck removed there is over 8 inches of clearance under the frame of the Raven MPV 7100.
7. Is it easy to Assemble. The Raven comes to a dealer or Lowes in a crate. It is 98% assembled and all that has to be done is to attach the seat, steering wheel, rear hitch and install 2 fuses. The assembly instructions were very clear. The parts and fasteners are clearly labeled and they come in separate bags. If you read the manual and follow the simple instructions (with pictures) you can have the Raven up an running in about 20 minutes. PLEASE read the assembly instructions and DO NOT take any of the bolts out of the labeled bags until instructed to do so.
My Review:
It Cuts Very Well.
The mower will mow very well at 6 mph but I can only cut my lawn about 4 mph. My lawn is very rough with lots of potholes and the heavy unit aggravates the roughness. Yes, It has a front suspension and that works very well but the rear drops into my potholes and it can be very jarring. The ride reminds me of commercial zero-turn without a suspension seat. There is an optional seat – get it if you have a rough lawn.
I went out and mowed a roadway with it just to see how it handles long grass. The grass wasn’t thick but it was about 14 inches tall. You know the kind. Tall, spindly bluegrass that your mower won’t cut the first time. Well the Raven clipped it all off in the first pass.
I made a video mowing the tall grass but it’s not edited yet.
It takes me about 45 minutes to mow my one acre and that’s all it needs to charge the batteries for a whole week of running around doing landscaping chores. I have yet to run out of battery in the electric mode.
In high gear it will go faster with the generator running. In high gear using only batteries it will slow down on a 6-8% grade. With the engine running there is more current available for the transmission motor amd it will climb steep roadways with no problem.
It drives like your car. It has an accelerator pedal, a brake and a cruise control. If you don’t have a lot of experience on a mower you will really like this. For me though it has taken me a while to get used to. Blame it on the old guy, not on the Raven itself. I know, I’ve said it before but the cruise is the best!
Availability:
The Raven is available through a growing dealer network and through Lowes ONLY in the Southeast states. At this time Lowes is only stocking it in their southeast warehouse and my understanding is they may not add it to their other warehouses this year. It will not be stocked at stores and you will have to order it out of the warehouse.
Marty
I have had my Raven for almost 2 years and have enjoyed thus far. This Labor day weekend I was mowing my acre lot and noticed 1 of the motors stopped running, but I managed to finish the yard as I was 3/4 the ways through. I shut it down to start trouble shooting and had my wife sit on the seat so I could tell what was going on and could not get the PTO to engage at all. Found out I had one of the 100 amp fuses blow. Ordered a couple fuses and replaced and still nothing, so I purchased a motor controller and replaced and and put everything back together and it worked!!!! Parked it for a week to get it back out, and again, cannot get the deck to engage. Any suggestions out there please? Fuses are good!!!!
crawford
jump out the seat switch then see what happens
Kurt
Was it by any chance the motor on the left side of the deck. Strange question I know. Raven has had problems with the motor and controller on the left side going bad. You may need to replace the motor as well as the controller. The blade motors on the raven are not simple dumb motors, they have some sensors as well as those in the controller.
Jeff Meyer
Been having a starting problem recently with the Raven. Clicking noise when trying to start. Figure it was the 12volt starter battery. Put the charger in for a few hours. Started up. Now charger been on for 15 hours and still won’t start. Thoughts ??
Kurt
Unplug the mower deck and see if that works.(the blade controllers and blade motors cause no end of strange problems) Check the lever for hi speed/low speed. Check the operator presence switch under the seat. Make sure the parking brake is set. Check the forward/reverse switch and make sure it’s not dirty and is fully centered in neutral. Check the mower engage switch for dirt.. Some of these seem obvious or overly simple but the complex controllers and blade motors react strangely to simple issues. As strange as it seems the blade motor and blade controller on the left side seem to cause most of the issues. I know that they are identical to the ones on the right side but trust me. I’ve had 10 blade motors, 10 blade controllers, 2 48 volt battery packs, a complete set of fuses and a completely new mower deck and every now and then something still goes sideways.Good Luck !!
crawford
First try jumping the starter relay see what happens then post. But did you have e brake set. before turning key?
Kurt
If the green light on the dash illuminates then you may have forgotten the E brake or have a bad rider present switch on the bottom of the seat. The 48 volt battery is made up of four (4) individual motorcycle or riding lawn mower batteries strapped together. You can charge the individual batteries yourself with a cheapo charger. Drop the battery and split the batteries apart. Use your cellphone to take a picture of the strapping. Use your 12 volt charger or take the individual cells to one of the auto parts stores for a free check. Replace the individual bad cell and you should be off to the races.
Kurt
I almost forgot. On the right side of the unit just above the rear wheel is a panel. Behind that panel are two fuses. You might check those as well as the ones under the seat.
Jeff
I’m sorry, how would I – jumping the starter relay? Did you mean if ebrake was on or off? In my case off.
Neil Bagley
I BOUGHT a used Raven it had a bad 12 volt battery I bought a new 12 Volt battery, turn the key no relay click or anything else. any idea on what is wrong?
Paul
Hi Neil, I have one here that does everything including click – but it won’t move. I’ll give it away this spring to anyone who wants to drive to northern Wisconsin and pick it up…..It has the deluxe seat, deluxe tires, and 2 decks.
Neil Bagley
Paul I don’t need another I bought two neither will run the second one is like yours the engine runs but the Raven will not move.
John Petraskiewchz
I owe one and love it, cuts great no bogging down goes right thru it,just Don’t Hit big rocks, you can bend the shafts on the elec motor, that will cost you about $400.00,generator will run anything you put to it,good machine.
John
crawford overton
Are raven’s still being made ??
Paul
Hi Crawford, Everyone I used to contact has left Denver Global so I don’t know anything. I know they moved to a smaller warehouse and I’ve seen a bunch of MPV-7100’s on the clearance/wholesale sites.
Pete
They are discontinued.
rick
No wonder they will not send over capacitors for the engine to charge the 48v. battery. They keep sending me battery packs. Only charges 46.3volts running. Do to your knowledge, would it be the 2 tan colored capacitors. It does not have a lawnmower deck. It was a excellent idea, the electronics could not hold up. Please let me know. Thank You.
Paul
Hi Rick, I’m a user not a mechanic. I have no access to wiring diagrams, parts or service either. I’m trying to decide if I just want to scrap this one or strip it down and install a speed control from a golf cart.
crawford overton
the voltage regulator inside of the generator at rear of unit. you need to take off seat and cover pan release screws which hold the plug panel slide it away take off cover at rear of generator. look inside you will see a thing that looks like a 1/2 a moon held in with 2 8mm screws with 3 wire to be disconnected. I got my 5 months ago be good since..
Rick Krause
The Raven project is dead. Too many issues with the bird and not enough patience from the upper management in China(Rato). Just a small group to take calls and emails. They have been honoring warranties but it does take awhile to get through. If there is no tech to repair units in the area they send parts. Too bad to abandon such a great idea! Check out the new all electric Ryobi riding mower on Home Depots site if your looking for a alternative to gas mowing from a seat. It looks to be getting great reviews. If you still want a Raven check the Web. For Raven owners looking for a great deal on a few replacement parts, check out the Surplus Center
com(tires,shocks,fuel tanks,lights,accelerator pedals,seats and steering wheels.) These are new and take offs.
crawford overton
From what i.m told a year and a half will be a new model coming out with 220 volt and a name change and many other improvements extra time needed for testing
Bill Morin
I have a Raven 7100 purchased June 2016 and it ran great for lase year.
two weeks ago I was mowing the grass for about 20 min and all of a sudden the mower stoped and then the motor stoped. I check the 20 amp fuse and it was blown so I replaced it and that blow so i changed it again and the tractor mover a couple of inches and then nothhing. Nowthere is no power at all and nothing runs.
I called Raven to no help but to say take to service center, I caller a few in aria and they say they stoped service them .
Rick Krause
I had the same problem last year and the issue was diagnosed as a faulty cpu located under the ignition switch. They sent me a new one and I installed it. I haven’t had any problems since.
Bill Morin