Mulching blade availability for 2024 mower

Yeah and you will notice they are not touting slope mowing capability at all with the new mower. I’m not so sure about lighter and better center of gravity though Kevin. I can get the mower to do my slopes manually with a remote, so I know the hardware is capable. It’s the software that doesnt work very well, in autonomous mode Yarbo gets stuck or grinds a hole in the grass. The only automatic work-around I’ve found is dozens of 40 ft long deadends. I’m up over 100 and tomorrow am programming another 100.
Tim

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On the other hand not everyone has a field to mow. The motors should be adequate for what is simply a rough lawn.

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I’m kind-of feeling like all this “pro mower was redesigned to handle the mulching blades” is just marketing crap, and another way to get you to spend more money. The disks can lock-up today, which creates an over-current and Yarbo stops. If mulching blades hit something and locked up, that would be the same force on the motors as the micro-mulching disks. If I don’t need the more powerful motors (not cutting down a forest here), seems 2024 mower would be just fine.

It’s hard to say if the under-side really isn’t strong enough to handle mulching blades kicking a rock up, or something. Until the Pro model is out there and people can compare.

IDK, feeling a bit “duped” here. Any electrical/mechanical engineers on here care to weigh in?

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I’ll bite, EE here. Whats the question specifically?
Note that I feel duped too on the “Pro” model. Seems like 3 mowers in 2 years is a search for a decent platform. Makes me feel like my “new” mower is already obsolete.

Tim

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I disagree with the angst raised by some members of The Community regarding the Mower Pro, from “I demand an upgrade - you ripped me off!” to “it’s a scam.” Frankly, it’s exhausting. Can we move on from the constant re-hashing of this, please?

The signal-to-noise ratio in the Forum has become untenable in the last month or so. If you are not adding value, I think there’s an “uncensored” Yarbo Facebook Group where you can let loose. You won’t find me there. The Forum is too important to Yarbo customers who are looking for a bit of help, get questions answered, and to discuss some new ideas. It’s a great way for Yarbo to communicate with us as well.

The M1’s specs and capabilities are clearly defined. It’s a known quantity from reviews to videos to posts. Any “bugs” aside (and I did give Yarbo a bit of a ration this morning…twice), you purchased the mower because your evaluation as a consumer was the unit would do the job for you, same as I did, else you wouldn’t have purchased it. And you had a trial period. You weren’t sold a bill of goods with the mower’s performance, absent a few rover-based features that were not ready, which Yarbo has already taken a massive hit on from The Community.

The Pro is an updated design. Nobody is asking you to be an iPhone customer and zombie-walk to the store to buy the newest model. You don’t have to be that person. I do expect you to evaluate your needs as a consumer to determine if an upgrade at this time is your best value for money. Grousing about it? Not sure that’s the best use of anyone’s time and energy.

I have not upgraded to the Pro. The original mower is doing exactly what I need, and it would be even better if I bothered to replace the blades. I think it’s great that Yarbo has expanded its offerings to those customers who don’t feel that razor blade discs can handle their property, and I’m really curious how the new design is going to work in the field. Yarbo didn’t do this to slight anyone.

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@Ken Why are you picking on the iPhone people? :wink:

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I agree with @Ken’s sentiment here. If you bought the 2024 mower, stop trying to justify a handout because Yarbo didn’t finish the software yet. One has nothing to do with the other.

I would, however, like to see a mulching blade option for 2024 m1. I’m skeptical that it can’t handle the new pro blades.

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Many user modifications prove that it’s possible but I shudder to think what could happen if it hits something immovable with enough force. They reinforced the internals of the pro to deal with this.

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How would that be any different than the disks getting jammed up and an “overcurrent” protection scenario occurring?

@offgrid I think this would be an EE question, correct me if I’m wrong. The motors on 2024 m1 are 150w. Pro, 300w. If mulching blades were fixed to the 2024 m1, and let’s say they hit something and came to an instant halt, wouldn’t that be the same load on the motors as if the cutting disks jammed on something and stopped rotating? The power output of the motors is the same, so not seeing how putting mulching blades would all the sudden put a bigger strain on the motor, or shaft/drivetrain. I know there is some M.E. question in there too. Am I being naive about this?

I’m assuming the mulching blade is not significantly more mass than the cutting disks. If they are, then I could see why this would be an issue

The spindle shafts would have to be up to the task as well.

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The sudden stop with the additional mass and length would be different and as Ken said probably break the spindle or knock the motor off its mounts. I have no doubt the motors could spin the blade. Just don’t think the design could take the impact. The plastic discs would break first or flex and cushion the impact. I am not a mechanical engineer so it’s outside my wheelhouse. But I have slept at a holiday inn express a few times.

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The motor and motor drive design team are dealing with quite a few variables, but we can break down the basics. The 36V motors have a current limit, say its 150W/36V = 4.2 amps, maybe higher for intermittent loads like sticks, cones, etc. An instant stoppage of the blade would make the motor go overcurrent, the drive would retry N number of times, and then post the OC message and shut down. If the different blades can be the same or similar mass, then there would be no additional electrical or mechanical load. There is absolutely no technical reason, in my opinion, why we can’t have mulching blades for the M1 2024 mower. I’ve been doing power electronics engineering for 35 years now.

On shaft damage, the main factors are hitting rocks, and constant loading. The M1 has a bit of a flaw in the plastic hub design, shown by all the broken disks here on the forum, but that can be re-engineered and fixed pretty easily.
Tim

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That’s exactly what I said when they announced the thing, as long as they keep the weight of the blade at 200g it does not matter whether it is a disk or a blade.

Perhaps when Yarbo has replacement Pro blades available on the Accessories page those who are interested can modify them for your M1 and give them a workout – see how the shafts / internals / motors do in The Real World.

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shhhhhh…quiet…no one would ever do anything to void warranties!

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I’m amazed and really shouldn’t be at how many people are like…hold my beer! :joy:

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I think I’ll wait for the fallout before I ask someone to hold my beer on this one.

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Me too. The armchair physics analysis I’ve see so far doesn’t fully add up :laughing:

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Yea, I’m planning to watch from the sidelines on this one.

I’m intently curious (and hopeful), but I also have my doubts.

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