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I saw this advertised in our local Lowes. I thought it was a prank or just some marketing ploy to see if people were actually looking at the advertising when they walked in the door. I guess I was wrong.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_437234-4761...rentURL=?Ns=p_product_avg_rating|1&facetInfo=

It says the motor is built in China, probably most everything else too even though they claim it is built here in the states. I don't quite know what to think about it. I love the idea, three different tools in one, but I have to wonder just how well it will perform.

I would want to know how much the replacement battery is and where you get them.
I live on flat ground, but I wonder how it cuts tall grass on a slope.

mullins87 said:

I saw this advertised in our local Lowes. I thought it was a prank or just some marketing ploy to see if people were actually looking at the advertising when they walked in the door. I guess I was wrong.

Shop Raven 46-in Hybrid Riding Lawn Mower at Lowes.com

It says the motor is built in China, probably most everything else too even though they claim it is built here in the states. I don't quite know what to think about it. I love the idea, three different tools in one, but I have to wonder just how well it will perform.

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Cool! :tongue:

lawn mower fanatic said:

Cool! :tongue:

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Cool price too $2999.95

Interesting... wonder who manufactures it. I couldn't find anything on Google about it.

The thing is definitely different and I'm not sure if every store will have one but they are using it as a marketing ploy to get people in the door.

Muhammad said:

Interesting... wonder who manufactures it. I couldn't find anything on Google about it.

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I'm guessing Husqvarna others are saying Denver Global products in NC. if you read the reviews under who makes this. they are saying it is assembled in lincolnton north carolina. the company is owned by RATO of china. a producer of high end atvs and motorcycles as well as yard equipment

I think i stick with my old JD 112,..it boast the same or better capabillitys but the hybrid engine and it's paid for.
For 3 grand it is just another piece of junk.
Nou if it would have a backhoe and firewood processor i might think about it.:laughing:

Yeah, the price point is a bit of a turn-off, but my guess is with a 17mph ground speed they're going for a hybrid ATV customer at the same time. But it doesn't look rugged enough to compete with an ATV. I think it might be one of those products with an identity crisis.

Judging by this it appears to have enough power.
I would be reluctant to invest in this product until it is proven. I would not consider this purchase without the extended warranty plan.
Electric motors, particularly DC motors produce a lot of heat. This has to be dispensed with somehow, usually with forced air.
The underside of a lawn mower while operating is a nasty environment, so I can see a lot of problems or challenges to overcome when designing an electric mower. Even if the motor is AC it needs to be cooled somehow.
If these things don't sell you will be truly stuck with it.
It's an interesting concept at any rate.


pull on Vimeo

That pull video is interesting, but it looks like they're pulling against a Cub Cadet LTX 1045 or 1046M, which sell for $1,700-$1,800 and are at a 240lb weight disadvantage to the Raven hybrid. The Raven is sized like a garden tractor, and priced accordingly.

Muhammad said:

That pull video is interesting, but it looks like they're pulling against a Cub Cadet LTX 1045 or 1046M, which sell for $1,700-$1,800 and are at a 240lb weight disadvantage to the Raven hybrid. The Raven is sized like a garden tractor, and priced accordingly.

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How much does the raven weigh anyway?....I'l bet it's heavy.

Spec says 750lbs.

I may be wrong, but I think the demographic they are shooting for are the small acreage land owners, say less than 5 acres, maybe even less than 3 acres, who live close to a city or are otherwise in a suburban area. They have a need for a decent sized lawn mower, 46" is not huge, but it's not small either. They occasionally have a need for a utility vehicle but don't want to spend $5k even on a well used one, hence the small bed, 17 mph top speed and 500 lb towing capacity. They occasionally have a need for a small chainsaw, if they don't want to mess with a gas powered one, they can use the Raven to power it. And finally, when the power goes out, they just plug in their mower and power at least a portion of their house. I think it's a great idea.

However, I too wonder about its durability and build quality. I also wonder how well will it handle tall heavy grass. And.... what's the service life of the 48v battery and how much will a replacement cost?

There are now videos about this "mower": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX5muYx3xyw63eNiErr7YFQ?feature=watch

so i wonder if running the engine generates electricity to the generator. that could play into attaching a generator on a tractor. i just wish the price wasnt so high. i bought my truck for less than half of that!

I got to actually put my hands on one tonight at my local Lowes. The thing that struck me was the fabricated deck rather than a stamped one.