Has anybody else had the cable for the deflector break? It seems mine broke off internally, so there is now no tension on it, and the deflector is in max-up position. I gave a pull on the cable, and it pulled up through the sleeve. The broken end is all frayed - looks like it got mangled up in there and eventually broke.
I created a ticket last week which has been escalated, but is still waiting for a reply from the tech team. Curious whether anyone else has worked through this repair before.
It didn’t happen to mine (yet) but this is apparently not uncommon, and one user found a fault with the design, where something sharp comes in contact with the cable and can wear it down over time. I’ll look for the post describing it, but it was something he was able to fix for the future.
I couldn’t find the post describing the pinch-point and his fix, but here is a detailed video on how to replace it once you receive it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzGyQQSIWK0
You can pull the spring off or clamp the deflector in the position you want and continue to use it in the interim. Know a few people who have done this. Depending on how much broke off, you might even be able to fix it with what’s left yourself. Also know a few who opted for this while waiting for the cable replacement part.
I examined my snowblower over the summer looking for evidence of the sharp edge, but didn’t find anything. I assumed it was another hardware improvement that has been made by Yarbo based on their lessons learned.
My cable doesn’t look frankly broken, but today is the second day our Yarbo started a morning snow run by throwing “deflector blocked” errors (M002). The deflector is empty and moves fine manually, but the cable is having issues.
When this happened yesterday, I pointed a heater at the chute/cable for 20 minutes and everything went back to working normally. I can’t imagine having to do this every time I start up the snowthrower. Do I need to look into a replacement cable as well?
Maybe I should ask Yarbo to send me a new chute with a linear actuator instead.
Definitely sounds like water is in your cable. I’d touch base with support and see what they recommend. Might send you a new cable. In the interim, I’d find a way to get that water out and put some grease or something at the opening to help keep water from infiltration again.
I might try blowing it out with WD40 once it thaws again. The Yarbo track maintenance requirements talked me into buying a grease gun, so I have no shortage of goo either.
I’ve got the deflector tied down in position for now, and support says they’ll have a replacement on the way. Fortunately Bob is still otherwise functional, since we have a fresh pile of snow today.
Glad to hear it! Cable replacement is pretty straightforward. Should be fairly easy when you get it. Have them send you the official replacement video if they haven’t.
I haven’t completely dismantled it, but here are a couple pictures that might have telltale indicators for anybody who has worked through this before.
This is most helpful. I had engaged with Yarbo about the cable. I thought some water might have entered because it would stop functioning when the weather dropped quickly. They agreed to send a new cable, but today, despite warming it up, I’m seeing no movement whatsoever. I wrote back to let them know that I think there’s a deeper problem. Fingers crossed…
Unfortunately, I’m at the point that, even in Plow Mode/Auger Off, the system goes immediately to Deflector Blocked and everything stops working. It’s been a real challenge to get the Yarbo back onto the charging station through all of this.
I don’t know how prior commenters were able to get past this error and “pin” the deflector at a fixed angle in order to keep the Yarbo functioning… and the snow has begun to fall once more…
