Got me a sweeper

[MetalChicken]

I've been looking for a sweeper/collector for about 12 months to collect cut grass left by my 8' finsh mower.
Finally found one on eBay and won the auction today. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
It's got a 6' brush on it and is PTO driven (although I'm toying with the idea of driving it with a hydraulic motor - no reason, just a bit of fun). One downer is that it doesn't have a hydraulic tip, but that's def. going to be fixed within the next few weeks.
You may wonder why I want one of these? Well here in the UK if you leave largish clumps of cut grass on the ground they will matt down and kill the grass underneath unless the weather is dry enough to dry up the cut grass allowing it to effectively 'disappear'.
other uses for this sweeper will be keeping our new tarmac driveway clean and maybe also doing a bit of contract paddock cleaning. To help with this I'm going to fit a row of spring tines in front of the brush to break up the horse droppings and matted grass.
The used sweepers I've found for sale here go for about $2000 for a 4' sweep and about $3000 for a 6' sweep. I paid A LOT less than that
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Cool!

Can I borrow it if I promise to be your friend??

 

[Freds]

Pretty neat. Sounds like you have all kinds of uses for it already /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Is there a dump feature on these things?

 

[MetalChicken]

Yep it's got a manual dump system right now - i.e. you pull on a rope and hopefully it should tip up and empty. Now call me geeky, but that seems way too simple to me /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

So I think I'll be adding a bit of reinforcement and either one or two hydraulic rams to make the job more fun, sorry, efficient
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Once I get it delivered here I'll get some pictures posted.

 

[LGinIA]

I use a small 12 volt winch to dump a similar device. This method does not cost much, is easy to install and does not require dismounting from the tractor. Just a thought.

 

[quickervicar]

Sweet sweep! And yes, our grass clumps over here, too! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Mith]

i agree with what you said about the clumps rotting and killing the grass below, i guess its a UK thing...
being cheap i made a little thing that fits on a side deflecter shield that throws the grass in the air
this way it lands in sigle bits and not as clumps, and el viola no dead spots
i guess your mower in rear discharge so this wouldnt work
now you just need another tractor to put it on /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DJLX]

You guys cut your grass so short no wonder it clumps /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif I used to marvel at how short my uncle grass was-1/2" or so. Just like a rug. I cut at 3" and sometimes that's too short in the summer.

 

[Junkman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( .................. i made a little thing that fits on a side deflecter shield that throws the grass in the air
this way it lands in sigle bits and not as clumps, and el viola no dead spots )</font>

I would like more information on this..... possibly a picture or two????? thanks Junk....

 

[Mith]

the mowers are all apart at the moment but ill rig it up so you can see what i mean
watch this space till tomorrow (its dark and snowing /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif)