Learn how to choose the best lawn sweeper for your property. Not all lawn sweepers are designed equally, and we’ll help learn all you need to know to decide which model is right for you.
What is a lawn sweeper?
A lawn sweeper is a great addition to your landscape tool line-up.
Lawn sweepers are designed to clean small debris and leaves from your lawn or property; things like leaves, acorns or pine needles.
They have thick brushes that spin when the unit is in motion. These brushes provide a sweeping motion that propel debris and leaves into a catch basket for easy clean-up.
Lawn sweepers are either manually operated by a pushing motion similar to using a lawn mower or a pull behind model which would be towed behind your riding mower, atv, or tractor.
Depending on your needs there are many different makes and models to choose from to fit your application.
Let’s take a look…
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Best Push Lawn Sweepers
Agri-Fab 45-0218 26-Inch Push Lawn Sweeper
The Agri-Fab 26 inch push sweeper is the best homeowner model available. This model includes a 26 inch wide brush system which is considerably larger than most push models available. This lawn sweeper is lightweight and easy to maneuver and comes with a 3 year warranty.
Pros
- 26 inch sweeping path
- 7 cubic ft. collection bag
- Collapses for storage
- Easy dump collection bag
- 3 year warranty
Cons
- None
Best Homeowner Pull Behind Lawn Sweeper
Agri-Fab 45-0492 Lawn Sweeper, 44-Inch
This robust 44 inch lawn sleeper from Agri-Fab is well built and is equipped with a handy dump lever. This towable model comes with a 25 cubic ft. collection bag that folds for easy storage.
Pros
- 44 inch sweeping path
- 25 cubic ft. collection bag
- Easy to use dump handle
- Semi pneumatic wheels
- Can be offset to use while mowing
Cons
- Some larger sweepers are available at a better value
Best Zero Turn Lawn Sweepers
Agri-Fab 45-0320 42-Inch Tow Lawn Sweeper
The Agri-Fab 42 inch tow behind lawn sweeper works great for zero turn mowers. This smaller version of the 45 inch Agri-Fab lawn sweeper is built to last and can accommodate the lower towing capacity of your zero turn without compromising its unique transmission.
Pros
- 42 inch sweeping path
- 12 cubic ft. collection bag
- Universal fit hitch
- Semi pneumatic wheels
- Pull cord for easy dumping
- 3 year warranty
Cons
- Some users note difficult assembly instructions
Best Commercial Grade Lawn Sweeper
Ohio Steel 50SWP26 Pro Sweeper
- 50” Sweeping Width; 26 cu. ft. capacity hopper
This commercial grade lawn sweeper is built to last. This Ohio Steel lawn sweeper provides a 50 inch sweeping path with a large 26 cubic ft. collection bag. This sweeper is equipped with multiple mounting options to fit almost any application.
Pros
- 50 inch sweeping path
- 26 cubic ft. collection bag
- Reversible hitch options to connect to any machine
- Easy brush height adjustment
- Can be offset to use while mowing
Cons
- None
Do lawn sweepers work well?
Lawn sweepers work really well and efficiently. They are great for clearing lawns from leaves and small debris. Lawn sweepers also work well for clearing grass clippings and dead material from your lawn. When using a lawn sweeper it is best to remove larger sticks, and other similar items from the lawn before use.
What is the Best Lawn Sweeper for Grass Clippings?
Our favorite lawn sweeper to use while mowing is the Ohio Steel Pro Sweeper. This model works great as an offset tow behind and can effectively cover a large area. If you you are using a smaller riding mower the Agri-Fab 44 inch will suit your needs best.
Can you use a lawn sweeper while mowing?
Yes you can use a lawn sweeper while you mow.
The most important thing to consider is what direction your grass clippings will be discharged. Most mowers will discharge the clippings to the side so in-turn your lawn sweeper will need to be offset to that direction to effectively collect the clippings. If you have a rear discharge mower then you can place the lawn sweeper directly behind.
Will lawn sweepers pick up acorns?
Some lawn sweepers are advertised and claim to pick up small nuts including acorns. In our experience lawn sweepers fall short in being effective with this task. If your turf is maintained at less than 2 inches results are better. Acorns are difficult to manage with a lawn sweeper as they have a tendency to nestle within the turf.
Which is the Best Lawn Sweeper for Pine Cones?
Lawn sweepers are generally effective for pine cones as they tend to sit higher on the turf. All of the recommended lawn sweepers on our list will work well for cleaning small to medium sized pine cones. You can’t go wrong choosing one of these:
Which is the Best Lawn Sweeper for Pine Needles?
Lawn sweepers will make short work of pine needles. All of our recommended lawn sweepers above will do a great job picking up pine needles.
Who makes the best tow behind lawn sweeper?
When looking at tow behind lawn sweepers you need to take into consideration the sweeping width, collection capacity and construction. For the value and construction we highly recommend the Ohio Steel 50SWP26 Pro Sweeper. This commercial grade lawn sweeper is a great option for the homeowner and will last for years to come. The Agri-Fab 45-0492 Lawn Sweeper, mentioned above is our top pick for the average homeowner, but if are able to invest a little more, then Pro Sweeper is the way to go.
Which is better lawn sweeper or bagger?
If your push or riding mower has bagger you still might want to consider a lawn sweeper.
A lawn sweeper works well in damp or wet conditions. If you are trying to bag clippings or leaves in these conditions with your mower they have a tendency to clump in the bagging shoot leaving a mess and debri in your landscape. If you have this problem during clean-up it’s time to consider a lawn sweeper.
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