Lawn sweeper hookup conversion

[kenjroy1]

This is a conversion I recently made to a new Craftsman 42 inch "pull type" lawn sweeper (see photo). Since I'm terrible at backing up any towable attachment, I now can pick up my sweeper when the hopper is full, and back right up to a trash pile and dump. I don't have to get off of my Bota, and can raise the sweeper high enough to make the pile fairly high. Just something to share.

 

[wowbw7]

Now THAT'S the way to do it. congratulations. i wish i had a 3pt on my Deere tractor, i'd steal your idea. good job

 

[Zick]

That's sweet, I've been thinking about picking up a cheap pull behind sweeper and that make it work even better!
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Speedbump7]

Great idea, I am interested in how it performs when turning.
And additionally my sweeper's basket would probably not support the clippiings if I lifted it, did you reinforce the basket?
Again, nice job, gives me some inspiration.

 

[kenjroy1]

Thanks for the comment. Perhaps you could fabricate a lift system using a 12 volt actuator.

 

[kenjroy1]

Glad to help.

 

[kenjroy1]

This sweeper is new, and is replacing a 38" AgriFab I 've been using the past 5 years in the same way. The AgriFab hopper is in excellent shape (no tears). The hopper is always suspended a few inches off the ground anyway, so will hold a load regardless. As for as turning goes, I've always made gradual turns when the sweeper is down. When I make sharp turns, I lift it a few inches to lesson any side strain on the wheels. The wheels of the old AgriFab show no wear at the hubs, and I've made may a turn with it.

 

[Zick]

Any reason you went to a craftsman from Agrifab beside the 4 extra inches? Just curious since you said your Agrifab was in excellent shape.
Curious as to hear which one works (pickups) better.

 

[kenjroy1]

The AgriFab did work fine but had a rather small hopper. The Craftsman has a hopper almost twice the size of the other. That means fewer trips to the trash pile. On top of that, my daughter has been wanting one, so I'll pass the AgriFab to her. Good thing I kept the towing hardware for that one. The Craftsman seems to pick up a little better due to the brush rotation being faster, but the AgriFab always did a good job on leaves, grass clippings, and pine needles.

 

[CBW1999]

That s really cool!
Have you had a chance to use it? I'm just curious how the frame will hold up with lots of grass in it- will the frame twist or bend?

I have been pondering some type of grass collecection system for myB7510, this idea certainly has some potential.