Re: irobot Roomba 570 problem - UPDATE

After fitting a new gearbox that appeared to not have a warped end plate the same problem returned; dog hair and carpet fluff in the gearbox.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• roomba
• 560
• 570
• irobot
• robotic
• vacuum
• cleaner
• gearbox
• problem
• design
• fault
• faulty

[PaleBlueDotCitizen]

Our roomba is still working fine, I clean out the gearbox every now and then and re-grease it with a silicone grease. When irobot introduced the black CHM (cleaning head module) with the bearings I ordered one. For some reason they withdrew those CHMs very soon after introducing them. It's almost as though they wanted to produce a product that breaks.

[PaleBlueDotCitizen]

New video posted showing the fix for this problem. Enjoy!

[valmara1971]

Have you considered buying a dirt dog instead of the roomba? I have a roomba 560 a scooba 5800 and now a dirt dog and all work well on the surfaces they are designed to run on. From your video it seems like me you have a lot of tiled flooring, dirt dog runs very very well on hard surfaces and his dust bin can collect a huge amount of fluff and dust before it needs emptying out. Just a thought.

[PaleBlueDotCitizen]

valmara - In my house I have tile, hardwood and carpet. The carpet will eventually kill the gearbox but the main problem is the dog hair. The fluff you see in the video is probably 10% carpet fluff and 90% pure Golden Retriever!

IMO Roomba mis-sell this device as good for pet hair and carpets when it is obviously not. Dismantling the gearbox is NOT a part of the manufacturer's sanctioned user cleaning regimen.

[GlLessenger]

Thank you! I have been stuck as to the cause of wheel and brush warnings when this was the root cause all along. Cleaning the brushes and ends helped but the jerking and clicking started. Amost ordered a new set of wheels!

[vikaskarade]

You must be paid by the company for the nice review :)

[tlaroche38]

iRobot have taken care of this. They brought out the 780 which is supposed to have a cleaning head impervious to dust and dirt. It was announced a while back and hopefully will be out soon.

[DjGisME]

your pet is extremely hairy

[videogameobsession]

Just went through another gearbox. :( They replaced the first for free, but now want to charge me $70 for a new one... It's BS! We live in a tiny 3 bedroom apartment with hardwood floors and it still the hair gets all caught up in the gears and melts the plastic. This is a design flaw and everyone should get this replaced for free with a FIXED unit. I'm contacting BBB on this since iRobot refuses to admit fault or replace mine with a better gearbox. and they wonder why we buy foreign products!

[bookmark71]

I just wanted to say thank you for posting such a thorough explanation of the issue. I have a cat and was about to sell my Dyson and get one of these. One because it's cool, but two because I could run it everyday while I'm at work. Obviously an issue. I've also heard the sweeper brush for edges breaks off easily. I'd gladly buy one if they fix this.

[cdosj]

Do you know if the Roomba 610 has this problem?

[900bigd]

Ok looked at your 1st video and it was good. U should really send this one in too. I want a roomba so if you can send it in asap then Maby they can fix it come Christmas

[imayneer]

Hey, Pale....., let me look at the CHM for you - free. And you can compare it with iRobot's and my modification. But you will pay for shipping to n from the UK. Let me know.