Carrying an entire golf bag on the back through an 18-hole golf course can be taxing on the body hence the need for the Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley to take on the load of the golf bag. It provides the convenience of having one ‘s golf clubs always within reach with little or no human effort. The trolley uses a huge battery to power the electric motor. The electric motor then drives the wheels propelling the trolley forward. The operator needs only to select the appropriate drive speed that matches their waking pace and the trolley can move on its own. The operator can choose to use the trolley via the handle (in the car park or on paths), the remote control (around the greens or in the rough) or the new follow feature (out on the fairway).
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Stewart X9 Follow Build
The Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley is an electric golf bag trolley that is used to carry golf clubs around the golf course with little or no human effort. The trolley takes energy from the battery to power the electric motor that drives the wheels forward. Thanks to the rear mounted dual electric motor assembly the Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley can propel itself and navigate the course with no human effort. It can also be pushed around if necessary. The combination of good electronics and software allows the operator to choose whether to guide the trolley via the handle, use the remote-control handset to direct its motion or activate the follow mode. Despite the many advantages of the Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley it does however have a few disadvantages that will be discussed below.
1. Speed And Steering Limitation
The speed and steering characteristics of the Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley are affected by different surfaces such as the open grass or hard pavement. Other problems also affect the performance of the trolley such as weight of the golf bag, terrain type and battery condition. All these can severely affect the speed and steering characteristics of the Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley. It is recommended to carry a maximum of 14 kg load on the trolley for optimum performance.
2. Sensitivity To Moisture
The Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley uses an electronic enclosure to protect and seal out moisture ingress. If this seal is broken moisture can enter and affect the electronic components of the trolley. To solve this problem, ensure the trolley is not dipped into water sources such as lakes and ponds. In case of heavy rainfall cover with an umbrella. Opening the enclosure also invalidates the warranty. The Stewart X9 Follow remote handset is not water proof hence it shouldn’t come into contact with water to avoid any problems developing with the electronics.
3. Cumbersome Battery Care
Before the Stewart X9 Follow golf, trolley battery is used it needs to be charged fully. Failure to do this may cause irreparable damage and result in reduced battery capacity. The battery should be stored and charged in an environment between 5 to 35 degrees Celsius and also in a properly ventilated room. The battery components can react violently with water hence the battery should not be immersed in liquids. When cleaning use a damp cloth rather than abrasives or solvents which may damage the battery. The Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley battery and battery charger should not be disassembled as it can damage them. Dropping the Stewart X9 Follow battery and battery charger or covering them during use can create problems with them and result in permanent damage hence should not be done.
4.Long Battery Charging Times
One problem with the lithium battery used in the Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley remote handset is that it can take very long to charge up to 6 hours, hence it should only be charged at night along with the trolley when both are not in use. The Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley’s main battery also needs 6 hours to fully charge before use to avoid any problems developing with it. Do not leave the X9 Follow battery discharged for longer than 48 hours to avoid any problems developing with the battery. Also ensure not to solder anything directly to the terminals or using frayed or damaged cables when charging the battery as this could be problematic and course faults. The battery also needs to be fully charged before storage to avoid any problems developing with it.
5. Remote Control Electrical Signals Interference
The Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley uses two rear mounted antennas to create two zones, a neutral zone and an active zone. When the handset is inside the neutral zone the X9 trolley remains stationary and when it is in the active zone the trolley will follow the operator at a safe speed until the remote handset is back inside the neutral zone. The problem with these antennas is that electrical signals from other devices and trolleys can interfere with the Stewart X9 Follow trolley ‘s own electrical signal hence affecting its performance. To solve the problem, stay at least 5 meters away from other trolleys, metal grids or other devices that transmit or create radio or magnetic fields. The trolley’s remote handset has a range of 50m however should only be used up to 25m to eliminate any problems.
6. Trolley Safety Challenges
The Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley has no external sensors to look out for dangers hence collision with other objects can damage the trolley. To solve this problem, it is the responsibility of the golfer to choose the correct mode of operation that suits the surroundings. The Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley can only be carried from two points, the stabilizer and under the front of the chassis. Lifting from anywhere else could cause unintended damage to the trolley or other unforeseen challenges. The Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley battery should be disconnected in transit to ensure the trolley and the battery are not accidentally damaged. Never use a hose pipe or pressure washer to clean the X9 Follow because water can access and cause problems with the electronics, rather use a soft cloth and standard furniture polish. A compressed air line can be used to clear grass, leaves and dust.
7. Fuse Damage
The Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley is fitted with a 40-amp fuse to protect the trolley electronics from accidental damage however a heavy impact caused by failure to control the trolley can produce a power surge and blow the fuse. To solve this problem, ensure the trolley drives at low speeds especially in the remote-control mode. This is so that it can be able to perform delicate maneuvers such as negotiating bridges or steering between obstacles.
8. Limited Control On Slopes
The follow mode on the Stewart X9 Follow that allows the trolley to follows the operator if the remote is in the active zone is not as good when moving down a steep slope. The trolley may fail to stop in time if the remote is now in the neutral zone. Performance may also be reduced on damp ground. The Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley may skid and fail to come to a stop in time before hitting the operator. To solve this problem, allow the X9 Follow time to react to your movements and behaviors especially on steep slopes or rather use the handle to maintain control of the trolley down a hill.
9. Drive Wheels Malfunction
One or both of the rear drive wheels of the Stewart X9 Follow golf trolley may react unexpectedly if the wheels are in the freewheel mode meaning the motor power is not being delivered to the wheels. To solve this problem, use the quick release mechanism to engage the wheels into the drive position. This should address the problem.