This is a FYI Posting. Waiting for water proofing to cure before next run.
All references to right and left are from the rear of Yarbo:
On March 5, 2025 I activated my Yarbo leaf blower module and begin setting up my mapped
zones for testing different patterns of blowing the leaves to a point for collection and pick up.
On the first run, the unit encountered a one inch diameter post with the front bumper on the
leaf blower unit. The unit responded as expected by stopping, backed up, and moved to the
left successfully clearing the post. The clearance of the right tread was minimal but not
concerning. Over the next few days, I adjusted the area orientation for the blower to increase
efficiency. On March 8th I received and read a email titled Essential Maintenance Tips for Your
Yarbo Blower. On Monday, March 10th I executed my mapping for all of my zones to remove
an accumulation of leaves blown in during winter storms in preparation for mowing.
When the unit started the fourth zone, it followed a course from the path in a clockwise pattern
along the perimeter where I had designated the area to blow the leaves. At the northeast
corner of this zone, there is a stop sign mounted on a galvanized post of approximately two
inches in diameter. On this encounter with this post the leaf blower bumper engaged and the
unit responded as expected. Yarbo again backed up, adjusted its path to the left and cleared
the post successfully with minimal clearance of the right tread, but again not concerning. After
covering the zone and while making the last, or next to last, pass the unit again engaged with
this stop sign post, while going in the same direction as the first time. Like the previous
encounter the Yarbo stopped and backed up. This time, however, the unit corrected to the right
instead of the left and proceeded with the left tread fully engaging the post. Before I could
respond and stop the unit it climbed the post, rotated counter clockwise and landed upside
down. Fortunately it landed on the emergency kill switch. Unfortunately both RTK antenna were
imbedded in the turf.
After rolling Yarbo over the left antenna, had to be retrieved from the turf and the right antenna
was still attached and was manually removed. A visual inspection didn’t identify any other
damage. I then activated the leaf blower to confirm it was still operational and used the app on
my phone to navigate Yarbo to my garage.
Time for a break to review the Leaf Blower documentation, including online, to confirm nothing
had been overlooked. On checking previous Yarbo emails I opened a new one Follow-Up:
We’re Here to Help with Your Yarbo Blower received about one you after the roll over.
Coincidental?
Remembering the March 6th Yarbo email about the power board waterproofing recall I decided
to open the battery cover and visually check the battery before plugging the charger in and
leave any further inspection until performing the power board waterproofing. The left side
security screw was somewhat difficult to remove and upon opening the cover discovered that
both security screw brackets appear to have been compromised (see attached photos).
On March 12th I received another Yarbo email/Newsletter Yarbo Weekly News
Mar 12th
which includes an article on “3 Obstacle Avoidance” settings for the mower. Checking my
Yarbo app for any such settings for the Leaf Blower none could be found.
My conclusion is that the leaf blower module obstacle bump avoidance settings are to
restricted on both the right and left vectors, especially on the right vector, which apparently
does not accommodate for the width of the left tread.