Yard Sweeper

[punkid]

So I will be the first to admit that this is my first season with a yard tractor (107). I grew up in the suburbs on less then 1/4 acre lots. Mowing was done with a self propelled walk behind with bag, and raking was only done at the end of the season when all the leafs fell off and was too much for the mower.

So anyways I have 3/4 acre now and last year sucked raking. I was thinking of getting a yard sweeper to tow behind the 107.

questions

Do they even work? I have read online that you need to get one with at least 5 to 1 gearing to get the brush head spinning fast enough. I mainly would want to pick up leaves, but if it could pick up walnuts too that would be a big bonus

Do they tow directly behind? this would not make sense to me because then it would not pick up anything if you tried to use it while mowing, because everything shoots out to the right.

whats a thatcher

Last question, were the older ones any better or worse then the newer ones. I would rather hold out for an older one on CL but before the fall I would like to have one.



Thanks

[Cub124]

Hi Punkid
Yes the yard sweepers do work. And they tow directly behind the tractor they are really only meant for after you mow, or for leaves and anything else that you would want to rake up.

[ACecil]

punkid,

Yes, the lawn sweepers really work. I use mine all the time. I've used mine, before we mow and it still does a great job. Here's some pics, so you can see how they work. By the way, mine is a Craftsman 42 inch hi speed model.

[papaglide]

Thanks for the pics ACecil. I have been debating about one of those for a loooong time wondering if they worked or not. Now I can clearly see that they work!

[ACecil]

Glad I could help, papaglide! You'll really enjoy having one.

[tubbyfirefighter]

i have a 42 inch agra-fab i got out of the thrifty nickel for 50 buck and i wouldnt take double for that, it picks up walnuts and those little spikey things that fall from gum trees and even a good size stick or two. you just have to watch it around briers and any sort of vine, they love to chew those up and not spit them out. but all in all they are well worth the money.

[ACecil]

I should also add, that I've picked up pine straw with my sweeper.

[papaglide]

WALNUTS TOO!!!! Now I must get one!

[Roblynn]

Punkid,

I also have an agri-fab 42" that works great and I use it after I mow. I have picked up about 24" sticks IF I can catch it parallel to the brush.

A thatcher is a device that looks like a bunch of springs pointed down into the ground. They can be tractor mounted or towed behind a tractor. I use mine in the spring to pull up the dead grass that has been matted down all winter. A couple of passes with the thatcher and then out comes the sweeper to pick up the mess! All in all it's GREAT seat time on the ole' tractor!!

[tubbyfirefighter]

If i remember correctly agrafab and some of the others make a sweeper with a thatcher mounted infront of the brushes so you can get 2 birds with one stone. it also detaches so you can use it with out as well