“I love sweeping the yard on my own!”, says no one ever.
After trimming your garden, the next task is to collect the clippings and other debris. Doing this manually with a broom will take long, not to mention that it’s a tiring chore. This is where the best lawn sweeper for pine cones, grass, and other debris comes handy. You simply hitch it at the back of your mower, and it will collect the clippings and rubble that it will come across.
Quick comparison
Last update on 2023-06-03 at 19:57 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When leaves and other tree debris start to pile on your yard, the look of your property will be affected. That also means there’s work needed to be done. And truth be told, no one likes sweeping with a broom all day long.
Those with large yards will benefit a lot from using lawn sweepers. Instead of taking the extra mile of sweeping endlessly, you can free yourself of the task by attaching this additional gear to your lawnmower. As you ride around, everything will be collected without the added stress on your part.
Below, we reviewed 5 of the best lawn sweepers together with a comprehensive buying guide.
1. Agri-Fab 42-Inch Tow Lawn Sweeper
At the top of our list is the Agri-Fab 42-Inch Lawn Sweeper. It comes with a 12 cubic feet hopper that can collect a large amount of clippings and cones. Also, it’ equipped with a 4.5 to 1 brush to wheel ratio. The package comes with the sweeper and a trailer-hitch pin to get you started right away.
Aside from that, you can attach this sweeper on a tractor or your lawnmower. You can also unfill the hopper from the seat of your tractor. It’s convenient, and you can go back to sweeping right away.
We also like its adjustable brush height and universal fit on all mowers and tractors. It’s useful across all seasons, though you have to apply ice melt first during winter.
For easy use and storage, this sweeper has 11” x 2.5” semi-pneumatic wheels. Remember that assembly is required for this sweeper, but don’t worry because it comes with complete instructions.
Overall, you can clean your yard with this sweeper right after you trim, prune, weed, or aerate. Everything will be swept in just one pass.
Pros
- 4.5 to 1 brush to wheel ratio
- Universal fit
- Empty the hopper from your seat
Cons
- The assembly instructions are challenging to follow
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2. Karcher S650 Push Sweeper for Outdoors
If you’re looking for a push sweeper instead, don’t miss the Karcher Push Sweeper. It can clean five times better and quicker than a traditional broom. In fact, it can sweep a 19,000 square feet surface in just one hour.
This sweeper boasts a human-powered mechanism so that it will work without batteries or electricity. It only weighs 22 pounds, so pushing it around is a total breeze.
This sweeper has a 16-liter waste container that you can quickly empty and put back in place. You won’t be in contact with the dirt, thanks to its easy disposal design. It’s ideal for cleaning a small yard, garages, driveways, and storage areas.
The Karcher Push Sweeper has dual spinning brushes and a 36-inch handle. Once you’re done sweeping, this equipment folds so you can store it against the wall. It’s also perfect for small storage spaces.
Overall, it’s a low-maintenance sweeper, and you don’t have to worry about running out of power. However, the Karcher Sweeper isn’t ideal for tight spaces and large lawns.
Pros
- Human-powered mechanism
- Fast and efficient sweeping
- Easy waste disposal
Cons
- Not for large lawns
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3. Ohio Steel Spiral Brush Sweeper
For those looking for a durable option, we recommend the Ohio Steel Spiral Brush Sweeper. It has a 42-inch opening and a hopper size of 22 cubic feet. It’s perfect for sweeping large lawns and massive amounts of debris.
It also boasts its patented spiral brush sweeper that works better than standard sweepers you can find in the market. This new technology increases the lifespan of the sweeper even with regular use.
Aside from that, this sweeper comes with a no-slip lock height adjustment. Rest assured that this sweeper will not vibrate or go out of position once you hitched it into your mower. You can also adjust the height of this sweeper on the go.
Moreover, the Ohio Steel sweeper has a wide 9-ich chute that prevents clogging. This way, you can sweep clumps of grass and pine cones with confidence.
The brush axle of this sweeper has sealed ball bearings to guarantee durability. The package also includes the hitch pin so you can attach it to your tractor right away.
Pros
- 3-year limited warranty
- Large chute opening
- No-slip height adjustment lock
Cons
- The tension rods are quite difficult to put in place
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4. Craftsman Hi-Speed Lawn Sweeper
If you want a sweeper that does the job faster than others, don’t hesitate to get the Craftsman Hi-Speed Lawn Sweeper. With an 8.5 to 1 brush to wheel ratio, this is a total workhorse in collecting all the debris that comes its way.
This comes with a 22 cubic feet hopper that you can empty quickly from your seat. It has a sweeping path of 42 inches so you can scour your entire yard fast and easy.
Moreover, this Craftsman sweeper has a heavy-duty steel frame that can bear the brunt of daily use. It’s also crafted with better traction so it can sweep efficiently.
Also, you don’t have to worry if this sweeper will suit your mower. It comes with a universal fit hitch that you can attach to any tractor or mower brand. You can also adjust the height of the sweeper to suit your mower.
Overall, this is a solid pull behind rake for a lawn tractor that can collect pine needles in a single pass. With this sweeper, you no longer have to rake manually.
Pros
- 8.5 to 1 brush to wheel ratio
- Universal fit hitch
- Can collect pine, grass, and other debris
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
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5. Brinly Tow Lawn Sweeper
Another sweeper that we recommend is the Brinly Tow Lawn Sweeper. It has six high-velocity brushes (5: 1 brush to wheel ratio) together with an indexed brush height adjustment. This way, you can set the sweeper in the proper configuration that suits your mower.
Also, it has a 20 cubic feet hopper and a 42-inch sweep area. With this large swath, you can clean your yard fast and in just one pass.
We also like the patented storage design of the Brinly sweeper. It can store debris with minimal emptying. It can catch leaves, pine needles, thatch, clippings, and more. This has upright storage with an easily collapsible design for easy disposal of the leaves.
Overall, this is a high-performance sweeper with an ergonomic t-handle. It has an excellent brush-to-ground contact that ensures all debris that it passes through is collected and dumped into the hopper.
Pros
- 2-year warranty
- Large capacity hopper
- 5:1 brush to wheel ratio
Cons
- Assembly is challenging
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Lawn Sweeper Buying Guide
A lawn sweeper is the best way to pick up grass clippings. However, for it to do the job, you must find the right one. Here are some of the things to keep in mind while choosing one.
Types of lawn sweeper
The first thing you have to check is the type of sweeper that you need. Lawn sweepers come in two types: pull behind and push.
A pull-behind sweeper has a hopper and brushes that propels the debris into the chute. This is the type that you attach at the back of your tractor or mower. It varies widely on its sweeping width, hopper capacity, and brush to wheel ratio.
On the other hand, there’s the push sweeper. This is standalone equipment that works by manually pushing through the handle. By pushing, the mechanism rotates the brush and pushes the debris away. It’s useful on small yards where there’s minimal cleaning to do.
Right width
Next, you must get the correct width. The standard width for sweepers is 42 inches, but you can find smaller ones like 26 inches. There are also larger ones like 44, 45, and 48 inches. The larger your yard is, the wider the sweeping width of your equipment should be.
You’d also want to suit the width of the size of your tractor. A very small one will put you on the hassle of emptying the hopper many times.
Capacity and hopper bag size
One of the essential components of your sweeper is the hopper. This is the portion where the leaves, pine cones, and other debris get deposited. Usually, 20 to 22 cubic feet is enough for most residential use. But if you have a larger yard, you can opt for bigger ones. For commercial-grade sweepers, you can find hoppers as large as 78 cubic feet.
Just remember that the larger the hopper is, the more expensive the sweeper becomes. Also, large hoppers are often found on sweepers with wider sweeps.
Hitch options
Since the sweeper will be connected to your tractor, you must find one with a universal fit. This way, you wouldn’t have to purchase additional hardware or customize any parts. The good thing is that four of the items we reviewed above fit universally on all mower brands and models.
Aside from its fit, look for a hitch with an adjustable height. If you’re not sure what height suits your tractor, a multi-height hitch is a way to go.
Maintenance level
No one wants high-maintenance equipment. Make sure that the equipment that you buy has a solid frame, sealed ball bearings, and anti-corrosion coating. Sure, you’d have to oil some parts from time to time, but this is just a small task.
Take note that most sweepers will require a certain level of assembly. You have to ensure that all the bolts, nuts, and screws are tightened properly.
Storage and wheels
Semi-pneumatic wheels are good choices for lawn sweepers. These wheels are partially inflated with air, but it doesn’t rely solely on air to keep its shape. It performs well and not much of a headache if punctures occur.
Aside from that, consider the size and weight of the sweeper. Check the space you can spare on your garage when storing your new equipment.
Brush quality
Always invest your money on sweepers with high-quality brushes. Bristles that are knit closely together sweep better and can pick up the smallest debris. Although you’d have to spend a few more bucks, it will pay for itself in the long run.
Durability
Lastly, your choice of sweeper should be durable enough to last for years. We always go for a solid steel frame with sealed bearings. Also, we always check the hopper quality to ensure that it will not rip while you are sweeping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are lawn sweepers effective in picking up grass clippings?
A: Yes, lawn sweepers are made to propel tiny debris into its chute and onto the hopper. It’s very easy to use. You simply mount this at the back of your tractor and ride around your yard as the grass clippings are collected.
Q: What lawn sweeper size should I get?
A: For small yards, a 21-inch sweeper would suffice. However, if you have a larger lawn, the standard choice is 42 inches. The rule of thumb is that the larger your yard is, the wider the sweeper should be.
Q: Can my lawn sweeper pick up acorns?
A: It depends on the size of your sweeper. Usually, 42-inch sweepers can suck in acorns and other small nuts. If you’re looking for a sweeper that can pick up acorns, we recommend buying one with a higher brush to wheel ratio.
Conclusion
A lawn sweeper saves you from the hassle of manually cleaning your yard. It does the cleanup job faster. Just make sure that you choose the right unit with the proper width, brush ratio, and hopper capacity.