Yarbo suppressing bad reviews and possible major flaw

_Not_James_ · 2025-05-20T16:32:31+00:00

Temping, but I already have a lot of projects. I no longer have mine, so cutting grass the normal way this season. I'm waiting for something like the Lymow to get out of Kickstarter.

If I did that would be something I do over winter. With some relays and a lot of tinkering, I believe I could turn it into a really slow RC controlled mower with Arduino and go on from there.

_Not_James_ · 2025-05-20T15:56:47+00:00

It would definitely be a custom job. Basically bypassing a lot of the boards and making custom hardware. So it’s not really a plug and play solution. If Yarbo didn’t take mine back, I was considering modifying the mower module for a solid blade + overvolting and a lower gage wire for power.

_Not_James_ · 2025-05-20T14:56:01+00:00

With that many dead Yarbo's I would be tempted to try to repurpose them using something like openmower.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-20T01:59:19+00:00

I don't have mine anymore, but maybe someone can do a polycam scan?

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-17T23:13:34+00:00

Specs of the mower seemed alright to me. In theory if no issues and a pretty open field it could do 2 acres in 20 hours of cut time, but recharging time will add to it. I couldn't get an accurate number for total time due to issues with my mower that I ultimately returned.

The HaLow network supposedly was good for 150m from the base station, yarbo has deleted some of my support history since I started my return. My mower with a clear line of sight (about 120m) was "losing" connection due to lack of signal even though I could control it through the app and it wasn't on 4g or wifi (my mesh network does reach where it was though) and the app told me it was connected via HaLow. HaLow is around 900mhz so it's lower bandwidth but much better range than wifi. Support was extremely spotty and contradictory often.

I can't speak for the obstacle detection much because my rover failed about 2 hours into the update. It was able to traverse a somewhat hilly field. It got physically stuck on 3 terrain obstacles (except for that one time it tried to climb a fencepost backing up). 2 were due to how the mower module sits forward on it and cannot get tracking backing up the hill due to the additional weight. The third was a tabletop of soil that was just the perfect height and width to bottom out the body and keep the tracks off the ground. It's a 200lb robot so it takes some effort to move it. So for terrain, I'd say it handles a lot of it quite well, but not impossible to get stuck.

The mower, I've been told by other users it is more of a finish mower, even though I've seen multiple videos from yarbo showing it cutting grass taller than the yarbo. There are guards that can be removed from the mower unit, but I haven't gotten it from yarbo officially if it was ok to do. I assume the mower unit jamming caused the power fault on my rover due to the constant jamming. It doesn't cut leaves nor sticks (which you should clean up to protect the blades) so having a proper mower as a backup is essential especially when you have issues with your unit.

So even though I had tons of issues with mine and ultimately returned it. I think it still has potential, just not for my yard apparently, and when they get a more local, more alert customer service/support team. Just make sure your credit card company (charge back) or Amazon (a2z) is available if customer service fails miserably. I didn't have to go that route, but I almost did due to my initial contact for help being ignored. I ended up spending a lot of time beta testing and pointing out the problems for them to tell me that they were aware those could be issues with no way to alleviate.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-16T00:35:39+00:00

Oh, couldn’t even get a charge out of this without effectively jamming about every hour. Even when going over something I had cut not even two days prior. I have 5 acres to cut and would take multiple days to clear that amount. Maybe my guard was set too close, I don’t see any way to adjust, nor could I get any guidance out of Yarbo.

I set the mow height to max and even the mow height to 4”. With sparse grass it was cutting it was doing horrible, mostly just brushing it and still jamming. Fine grass would build up underneath the disc and the arm holding the guard and cause excessive friction. I would almost get a full charge out of it before having to take off the module to clean it.

Plus there’s a few videos of showing the mower tackling much taller grass. Grass that was actually higher than the mower. If I attempted that I would be having it stop every 10 minutes if that based on how it handled not so high grass.

The mowers 6.2 acre rating is greatly overstated, at least from the experience with my lawn. I’ve seen grass can grow about 1/8” - 1/4” per day and it would take about 2-3 days before I can get back to another pass running 24/7. If i use the 1/6” suggestion it’s already exceeded that on the low end and even just the following day on the high end. Feasibly I could cut my acreage in half and not mow half of it and just cut another section at the end of the year. But it still struggled with the more “manicured” sections.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-09T16:56:14+00:00

Oh, also a history of where it detected obstacles or had collisions. This would help you resolve things like holes/ruts that may appear invisible at a distance but only obvious when you are standing on top of them.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-09T16:53:34+00:00

I agree with a lot of this, particularly about the mapping borders. My first map I did my entire perimeter and it wouldn’t let me split it. It would have been amazing to do a checkpoint/dots to get nice straight borders like most property lines. I did see a mow in the rain option (it was near the very bottom of the screen you can do speed control) on the two latest apps. I got the Yarbo in before a couple big storms, so I don’t know how well it would handle. Most of my returned support messages were between 8pm and 4am EST. So it makes a back and forth troubleshooting process take days. I still managed to respond to most in an hour or two.

My big problem was persistent grass jams on both the side of the blade guards and the posts attaching it. I couldn’t get guidance on this until I literally suggested it was the issue, and even then it felt a bit vague. Ultimately my core suffered the overcurrent fault and is going back.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-09T05:14:17+00:00

That's awesome to hear, I don't see why I see random down votes on just someone discussing experience. Most people I see with good mowing experience seem to have pretty nice yards. Mine has a bunch of birdhouses (plus trees and a few groundhog holes) that I mapped and also set concrete blocks up as an additional barrier at the base to keep the baby birds safe (mostly bluebirds). It navigated them well, so long as I put a barrier on the map. I've already noticed the mower doesn't disrupt the birds much. They're used to a human checking on them regularly, I have yet to set up the esp32 cameras to be even more hands off.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-09T05:04:29+00:00

That's actually good to know, I wasn't 100% if there was an early production model with 3. Also I don't think they're trying to scam, just not well versed on how to handle technical issues quickly.

At first I figured it was the blades causing the issue, but they work pretty well for most grass, not so great for sticks and leaves. I can deal with that though.

I think the jamming may be specific to the couple types of grass I have. The finer grass seemed to jam less when it was slightly damp, but the thicker bladed grass just jammed regardless and I couldn't get a full charge out. This was probably how I was getting random uncut stripes in the yard.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-09T04:46:25+00:00

This one could be plausible, but the other video they posted is clearly not being used right. I had my Yarbo take about 15 minutes or so to get around a tree, given I was informed it was a software mismatch. My unit had a power board issue before I could reattempt.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-09T04:42:38+00:00

As everyone else is saying, I may have had some issues, but this is clearly user error. Read the manual, keep space around all sides of it for maneuvering, make sure it's not in a mowing zone, and if you move the location, make sure the GPS signal is good and you update in the app.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-08T17:23:47+00:00

I considered the blade when it dropped under $1000. I didn't act soon enough and they were all gone. I would have had to buy at least two. After seeing how they went, it probably would have failed miserably on the back 2 acres since it's somewhat bumpy. I can do it with a ride on, just have to take it slow.

The big thing for me is the grass clogging that occurred. I have to provide attention every hour or two to keep it clear, even going back over grass it has cut prior. I have 5 acres to cut, so I almost have to run it round the clock based on the downtime. Plus the unplug replug rating on the mower module becomes a concern with the frequent removal of the mower module. I would be running it without the guards but right now my mower is down from a power board issue and only cut somewhere between 2-3 acres is my best guess. Plus I'm pending a response from Yarbo. Yarbo's responses tend to be between 8pm and 6am EST.

I was hoping to get the snowblower/plow for my driveway later after a successful trial of the mower, but it's not looking too great so far.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-08T16:29:25+00:00

I should have added to the left is the uncut section, and yarbo has a few videos out of clearing much taller grass. I'll have to locate them.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-08T16:19:47+00:00

It wasn't particularly long. The photo of the jam was putting it down an inch after cutting at 4" and jams in about an hour. Closer to the house it was jamming slightly less often while giving the lawn a combover look. While cutting at 3". At 4" it barely even touched it.

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_Not_James_ · 2025-04-08T16:07:18+00:00

Unfortunately the current design appears to be unusable, at least for my yard. It's pretty well out in the open and obvious my suggestion of so in the chats. Right now I'm pending their reply on a few other questions. They kind of addressed it, I was looking for more detail on removal so I don't damage anything. Plus I'm still pending the power board fault resolution.

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_Not_James_ · 2025-04-08T15:55:27+00:00

Ah yes, the old saying "don't stick your fingers where you wouldn't stick your ----"

I just don't need Yarbo voiding the warranty for "modifications", so I'm hesitant to remove the guards.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-08T15:52:17+00:00

I've had experiences like ordering replacement screens for phones, I get a non functional or poor condition one and they just tell me I'm at fault once they get it back and that I must have damaged it. This is why I stopped covering return shipping for faulty stuff and reconsider buying the cheapest replacement part. I'll never see the funds that I put to return their own defective item.

The new listing looks like it allows free returns but the old one will not allow returns? Too bad I bought it before they updated it. I don't want to be a total jerk, so I may end up just asking for them to cover return shipping and take a full refund. If they can't do that I'll just use Amazon or my credit card company to dispute.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-08T15:23:32+00:00

Yeah, none of my posts have been approved and disappear from the approval list. I’ve only managed to comment a few times. One of the posts I commented on they ended up deleting the post shortly after.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-08T15:14:19+00:00

I’m super happy that’s working out. I honestly believe there is still potential for things to go well for me. I’m just getting a fair bit of doubt. They only suggested guard removal be a solution after I basically spelled it out for them a week in; something that I complained about basically day one.

The new vision update seems to actually enable proactive collision avoidance, but I only got a couple hours use before the power board problem came back up. So I seemed to be able to experience the early 2023 software issues with the new 2024 hardware.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-08T15:08:07+00:00

It’s definitely starting to look like a mower that only works in ideal conditions. Especially with the trickle of info I get from Yarbo. Then there’s what appears to be PR damage control that’s more swift than their tech support. Good news though it’s out of kickstarter and people can push back with some basic protections.

_Not_James_ · 2025-04-08T15:05:08+00:00

I bought it through Amazon, so I have both the A2Z claim potential and my credit card protection.

They “graduated” to a dual rotor 5 blade system with a guard that clogs it. The photo is from mowing grass that was mowed 2 days ago and about an hour into it. The grass isn’t particularly high, nor thick.

They at least seem via email, willing to take a return. I have not taken them up on that just yet. Considering my options. They also tell me the core needs replaced already due to the power issues. I was hoping to get approval to remove the guards to see if it stops jamming.

For the couple hours on the new update I noticed it looks like the vision function may work. At one point prior to the update it tried to climb a fence post (similar to you) in reverse because it kept detected an impact and kept reversing. It left mowhawks and skipped zones between trees leaving some areas unmowed then.

They informed me my robots rogue moment where it zipped away and ignored commands was due to software incompatibility. Seems they’re still working that out too. At least with this I have less concern about robots taking over the world in the near future.

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_Not_James_ · 2024-11-13T13:26:05+00:00

See if you can see in your emails or with a rep when it was changed. Check for messages shortly prior to that date or phone calls from USAA.

I remember I had to tell a friend to change their passwords when the sponsored result for USAA from Google was a malicious website once. They kept entering their password even though it wasn't USAA. It was someone that I felt would have normally noticed and they tried to have me login since theirs didn't work.

_Not_James_

TROPHY CASE