Lawn sweepers

[Rory Bellows]

My dad just bought a new mower. The old mower had a bagger on it and the new one doesn't at least now. The mower is a Dixon SpeedZTR 46 inch. He used the old mower also a Dixon with a bagger to pick up leaves in the past. The old mower had a blower bagger system the new mower has an optional bagger system but it is a passive system with no blower. I don't think a non blower bagger will pick up leaves very good. The Dixon dealer said it would except if they are wet. I looked at the system and it is just a tube going into the bagger attachment. All that for about $500.

Anyway, I told him he should get a lawn sweeper instead. So I picked up an OHIO Steel 42 inch model at TSC. I gave it a test after mowing and the sweeper was too low to the ground even at the highest settings. The Dixon's hitch point is exactly 12 inches high. The sweeper was 3/4 inch off the ground unloaded and drug on the ground alot. I only towed it about 3-400 yards and was dissatisfied how it towed or drug and it didn't pick up well. Granted there are hardly no leaves down yet I did manage to get about 1/10 of a load of grass clippings and some leaves in it. So I decided to return it because it didn't fit the mower right. I emptied the bag and the clippings looked weird. I picked them up and it was full of bristles! Turns out 1 of the 2 sweeper brushes is completly gone. ****! I returned it immediately. I didn't even take it apart. The people at TSC can deal with it. What a POS!

So now, I need to advise my dad to another lawn sweeper or the bagger system from Dixon. Any experience with lawn sweepers or passive lawn mower bagger systems?

 

[Givl Reggin]

Any experience with lawn sweepers or passive lawn mower bagger systems?

The passive system will work fine.... the spinning blades will create more than enough pressure to push the clippings & leaves through the tube and into the bag. Wet grass/leaves can be a problem even for a system that uses a blower.

 

[Wood]

The passive system will work fine.... the spinning blades will create more than enough pressure to push the clippings & leaves through the tube and into the bag. Wet grass/leaves can be a problem even for a system that uses a blower.

I agree with this. I worked for a landscaper for a few years when I was younger and as longs as things were fairly dry, everything would be bagged up just fine. If you have wet leaves and don't want to wait for them to dry out, then I think the best thing to do would be to just rake them by hand. Maybe hire a couple local kids to help if it's real big.

 

[W_KY]

I picked up a used lawn sweep lawn sweep for about $30 about 4 months ago off a local classified ad. It was owned by a gentleman in his 70's and he was looking to clear some room in his garage. Honestly, if I was guessing, I would say it had been used about twice. It is identical to this one from Sears:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_... & Vacs&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a

It does an ok job on grass clippings. It definitely doesn't pick up 100% of the material but for $30 it sure beats raking. Here shortly I'll get a chance to try it on the leaves.

 

[boro_boy70]

This model is the one I have:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ractor+Attachments&sName=Lawn+Sweepers+&+Vacs

I recieved it as a gift from the inlaws when I bought my new mower. I use it to pick up grass clippings. I use the mulching cover on the mower and tow this behind the tractor.

The sweeper is built solid, and so far has held up good for the 2 years I've had it .It has a good amount of height adj. and does a good job at picking up the grass clippings.

This is the first sweeper that I have ever owned, so I can't compare it to other makes/models, but would feel comfortable recommending it to anyone.

 

[sprint7]

I have the same one from sears as boro boy70 above. I have had it for two years and been very satistifed with it. I don't use it for grass just leaves but I have been very happy with it and would recommend.

 

[onemoretry]

cyclone rake works well for me , but may be way overkill.

 

[Rory Bellows]

Thanks for all the replies. As it stands it's still up in the air. I think he will probably get the bagger since the price difference between sweeper and bagger isn't too far off. Hope it works well. It will be some time until we make a decision. My Dad went in for surgery last Wednesday and now has pnemonia and is sedated. I hope he gets out of the hospital some time next week.

John