SCIFI Robot with tentacles and eyes all around body + quest + ball of light

[Leroy]

Late 70's to Late 80's

The book starts off with a few pages of description all in italics of farming and potatoes and I seem to recall (red) weevils mentioned in the first few pages. It had flying (hovering?) robots in it with tentacles and with eyes around their bodies. These robots stop the protagonist and question him.

In one scene a character is walking up a hill and is followed by a rolling ball of light that travels on its arms (tentacles). I may be mistaken, but I seem to recall a battle which also takes place in this book. I know this is not much but I hope someone can help.

The book cover is either red or reddish brown/dun colored.