42" lawn sweeper

[erieskidoo]

so i borrowed my neighbors agri-fab 38" sweeper, and was happy to have the use of it.... i came in the house to see if deere had a sweeper and found the 42" unit.... does anyone have any experience with this attachment?? Likes/Dislikes... Break Downs/Maintenance... etc...

I'm looking at getting one, just would like some $.02 evaluations before cutting the $$$ Check

thanks all....

tim

[JDTank]

so i borrowed my neighbors agri-fab 38" sweeper, and was happy to have the use of it.... i came in the house to see if deere had a sweeper and found the 42" unit.... does anyone have any experience with this attachment?? Likes/Dislikes... Break Downs/Maintenance... etc...

I'm looking at getting one, just would like some $.02 evaluations before cutting the $$$ Check

thanks all....

tim

I will second this.

I am looking at picking up one of these bad boys as well. I already have a X748SE, do you think I can convince the wife to let me get a X540 JUST for leaf collection duty?

[erieskidoo]

I will second this.

I am looking at picking up one of these bad boys as well. I already have a X748SE, do you think I can convince the wife to let me get a X540 JUST for leaf collection duty?

I don't know your wife, but i think either way that will be a hard sell.... unless you express the trauma that it would take to latch, then unlatch the unit from one X to another X... as well as having to move everything around the garage just to make this mating simple and efficient.... the pin... the basket... a lot could happen... but on the flip side, it could be sold as... here honey...here is your own X series to assist with the lawn beautification to enhance the curb appeal of our wonderful homestead - we can work together as a team.....to maintain a solid foundation for our children to learn from...as they see us working as a team...with this knowledge and experience they will take with them and teach our grandchildren what grand ma and grand pa did back in the day.....

[Dashe]

I have a 42" Sears sweeper that works great. I have an acre and a half of lawn with lots of trees and I would be in trouble without the sweeper. The only problem I have is that when the leaves are real thick, the sweeper fulls up quickly. This year, I have purchased a new x720 with the 54" deck and a mulch kit. I plan on mulching as much of the leaves that I can and then sweep up the bigger remains. I figure that I should get more in the sweeper than before and they should rot faster. I think that the sweeper attachment is one of the better attachment that you can get.

[ctlguy]

they work just ok for what you pay for them, also you may have to put together. The design has not really changed in about 30 years other than the parts and pieces of course are cheaper now.

[JDTank]

Snooped around a little bit and found this video on Youtube.

John deere sweeper - YouTube

Overall, yes, I will have to try and convince the wife it is so she can help out...haha. You know what they say, when you can't decide, buy both! I have the X748SE now, just need the X540 to be it's smaller little brother. In all honesty, I could use it a lot come spring and fall. The ground here is like mush with all the rain, the lighter the machine in the fall and spring the better off you are around here.

[KennedyDiesel]

I never understood the sweeper concept. Run over the lawn twice?

Bag it would be my preference. A Powerflow and MC519 make for single pass mow and collect.

[JDTank]

I never understood the sweeper concept. Run over the lawn twice?

Bag it would be my preference. A Powerflow and MC519 make for single pass mow and collect.

For someone in my situation, a sweeper makes perfect sense.

I am not going to spend $1,500 on a collection system, to only use it one month of the year. I discharge all the grass I cut. That means in the fall is the only time I could truly use something to do leaf collection. The sweeper does a pretty good job for what it is, and for the most part, it's maintenance free. The Power flow system has belts, bearings and the impeller to keep in mind.

Again, it all depends on your situation. I have a Stihl handheld blower/shredder vac combo that I wouldn't trade for the world. I get the majority of leaf collection done with that, and whatever else is left, will be picked up by a sweeper once I get one. If there is anything left afterwards, I guess the neighbor will be seeing them shortly.

[KennedyDiesel]

Understood. I only use my collection system once a year or so too. The MC519 is getting pretty rotten now and about ready for the scrap heap, BUT when I need it it's nice to do single pass. If you collect grass clippings and dump in a pile they will heat up really nicely in the center for composting. Really packs things in tight

For leaves I like to get numerous carts full then dump in garen in fall. Really works nice for adding organics.

I've done zero repairs on the powerflow belt, pulleys, etc in 16 years. Besides what's the big deal? Cut out a coffee or trip to McD...

[JDTank]

Understood. I only use my collection system once a year or so too. The MC519 is getting pretty rotten now and about ready for the scrap heap, BUT when I need it it's nice to do single pass. If you collect grass clippings and dump in a pile they will heat up really nicely in the center for composting. Really packs things in tight

For leaves I like to get numerous carts full then dump in garen in fall. Really works nice for adding organics.

I've done zero repairs on the powerflow belt, pulleys, etc in 16 years. Besides what's the big deal? Cut out a coffee or trip to McD...

Understandable and all good points. When it comes right down to it, it's personal preference I guess. I just don't want to spend $1,500 on something I really have no use for, doesn't make much sense at all. That's cash I could put towards a 3PT tiller for my X748.

I am very impressed with this thing: Stihl SH 86 C-E - STIHL Canada - Products

I use it for the majority of my leaf collection and it works awesome. One quick pipe change and you have the most powerful handheld blower out there. I can't say enough good things about Stihl, I have all the garden hand tools they offer and let me tell you, they are the best I have ever used in my life, pure quality.