The folks at iRobot have been busy listening to their customers and improving their product. The new generation of Roombas have a head cleaning module with a sealed gearbox. The best part is that it is retro-fittable into the older generation roombas. Check these links to read more about the recent changes.. www.robotreviews.com www.robotreviews.com
If your dog sheds that much, then you might also consider buying the new Pet Brush. Although, I not sure if it will fit in that new brush deck module.
Hmmm. It seems that IRobot is still sending out the old style as I just received mine and it has what looks like your discarded pieces. I will contact them as my unit is only a week old and has shut down 4 times since due to a cleaning error. Excellent video.
@rick2u1786, i received the old style as well. was on the phone with irobot sales and they say that the old one (green plastic inside) is the only one they have. looking at some older comments, seems i should have bought one for the 610 (don’t see it on their website, though). i have an rma coming for this one and plan on talking with tech support tomorrow during their business hours.
I agree, but they weren’t going to send me a replacement for free so what was I going to do? Sue them for $40?
so i talked with tech support this morning and was told that they no longer manufacture the black cleaning head module (seen in the video) and if i got a replacement it would be green (which i already have). when i asked for the 610 cleaning head module she said they don’t make it anymore… anyone else think i got the run-around? anyway, i have a replacement green cleaning head module coming and i will revisit the issue when this one ceases up (which i know it will eventually).
Stay clear of i robot in the future. Do you not get a manufacturers guarantee?
Very interesting video as the wife has been hinting at wanting one of these.
From my point of view, an easier fix may just be to shave your dog!
I’d be interested in your thoughts on the models that incorporate the liquid floor cleaner function
I am the mom of bdjproductions and owner of my favorite maid ever (well only one ever). I almost started crying when it started thumping along then quit and shon its little red light at me in distress. Then panic set in 🙂
I searched the net to no avail..then it hit me…Youtube and there you were Mr. PaleBlueCitizen and fixer of Roomba.
I followed your instructions on how to clean the gears (packed full of black dog hair) and now my little maid is back to normal again.. tyvm!! really!
Thank you! I have the 560 and this helped me to diagnose some problems I was having. I appreciate your sense of humor and your religious beliefs as well!
My warranty replacement green gearhead shioopped in May 2009 has now also failed after seven weeks of use and careful maint. They say the black head is no longer available. We should all be vocal and put pressure on them for sealed bearings. This is a design flaw and they know it. Quality vacuums last decades, while Roombas last three months!
Well, I ws just about to purchase one of these and thank God i saw this video! My entire house is carpeted, and I have 2 cats.
Until I see a better design, I will not purchase these machines. I will definately require some sort of metal housing for the gearbox and sealed bearings. I had no idea how much of this thing was plastic. It’s unfortunate, because I’ve seem toys built better than this.
Great vido review! Thanks for posting this! 5-star from me.
You are the James Bond of Roomba reviewers.
dang it, i am trying to tell you a webpage to go to to get replacement SEALED barings and it wnot let me post, small one is $6 bucks and large is $20 bucks,. i just got 610 roomba and took out the new ones and popped in the sealed ones, future problems solved. but whats up with the new green CHM, i just got mine today, and it came with the black, “sealed case”
the guys name is vic7767. look him up on google
My Roomba has run almost every day since February. I take it to my garage, clean it with my shop vac and have had no problem. I could see at the beginning where the dog hair and dust was accumulating but the shop vac takes care of keeping it very clean.
I have a 560 Roomba and my brushes stopped spinning . I cleaned everything short of taking the gearbox out. After some manual spinning of the brushes they started spinning on their own.
Do you think I still need to clean inside of the gearbox as well? It’s the black gearbox.
When do you think they will make a 0% maintenance Roomba that can clean itself? Some people are saying to do a thorough cleaning of everything after every single use! It just seems easier to Swiffer sometimes.. 🙁
These things are so expensive new, even the batteries are high dollar. With minor upgrades to metal parts they would probably last alot longer. But then Irobot cant nickel dime you to keep it going.
Excellent video. I saw your previous videos on the Roomba as well. Great follow ups. The machine is dirt-sensitive which is not a good feature for a vacuum. Even though re-designed many times it still picks up a lot of fluff in components.
Whats that Roomba cocktail you drinkin’, aspirin or vodka?
I want one but if the problem with hairs getting stuck in the wheels are not resolved… I won’t be getting one. Imagine how often must you clean the vacuum if you have like 3 dogs…
I could not find that black cleaning head module any where, I called irobot and they said it does not exist they offered the green one though.
@TheMorgano1095 The fact that they know full well about this problem and they produced the black module which went some way towards resolving it and then reverted back to the problematic non-bearing design forces me to recommend people avoid these products, at least until iRobot reintroduce the bearing module.
The mod that iRobot does is not perfect. I will not say much but it’s best to get it mod by experienced engineers; in which I do.
How about now? Have you had much success over the last year or did you give up on the Roomba?