? lawn sweeper??????

[nwltruck]

Searched the internet for ever. Does a PTO powered 3ph mounted lawn sweeper exist? I would like a simple machine like the pull behind ones sold at Lowes or home depot. I own one of these but would prefer something larger. Hopefully one that won't stop spinning when the brushes hit a bump in the yard. The only thing I can find are large industrial models that cost an arm and a leg. I have convinced myself that if I can't find what I'm looking for I'll have to build one. Anybody know of one or were I should start. Thanks for any input in advance.

 

[3v0]

Maybe you should look into a lawn vac like they use to pickup leaves. I have even seen a DIY version. There is also this thread here about PTO sweepers which I have not read.

 

[Carl_NH]

Find a used Trac Vac or Cyclone Rake for $400-900 range and for a larger deck, get at least 6-7 HP unit and 8" hose.

Trac Vac make a 3PT hitch verison also, but pending your budget a used unit with a good engine is the best starting point.

 

[nwltruck]

Wasn't really looking for a vacuum. I need something to pick up small twigs, clippings and dog bombs. The sweeper I have works, just want something bigger, better, and more reliable.

 

[leonz]

Wasn't really looking for a vacuum. I need something to pick up small twigs, clippings and dog bombs. The sweeper I have works, just want something bigger, better, and more reliable

About your sweeper;

You do not want to sweep up dog bombs as they will break up while being swept up
and they will stink up the sweeper forever!!!

The only way you will obtain a motorised sweeper is to purchase one from England.
They are referred to as paddock cleaners used to sweep up horse manure and also
for lawn sweeping.


Your better off buying a Cyclone Rake as it will suck up twigs and branches and shred them up for you.

 

[nwltruck]

Thanks for the info. I looked up paddock sweeper and found that you can get them in the US. They are still priced pretty high and more complex than I was looking for. What I would like is a scaled up version of the small units with PTO power.


This only bigger and powered

The one I have now does exactly what I want it to do. leaves the yard looking great but as I said the brushes stop turning when they hit the smallest of the many bumps in my yard. Frustrated to say the least by the time I'm done sweeping my yard. As far as the smell of the dog stuff, that's fine I just don't want to step in it......

 

[leonz]

Thanks for the info. I looked up paddock sweeper and found that you can get them in the US. They are still priced pretty high and more complex than I was looking for. What I would like is a scaled up version of the small units with PTO power.

View attachment 312534
This only bigger and powered

The one I have now does exactly what I want it to do. leaves the yard looking great but as I said the brushes stop turning when they hit the smallest of the many bumps in my yard. Frustrated to say the least by the time I'm done sweeping my yard. As far as the smell of the dog stuff, that's fine I just don't want to step in it......

Are the gears worn out on the paddle drive? it may be simply an issue of replacing them.

All depends on how much money you want to spend; A five foot wide three point hitch flail type pick up
mower will not pick up dog waste and they will need at least 40 horsepower to work properly.



Short of used street sweeper I do not think you will
have much luck.

Parker sweeper if they still exist did make a towed motorised
brush sweeper for garden tractors with a center mounted engine
mounted on the frame of the sweeper.

You would have to reinforce the sweeper frame and purchase
a gas engine with a Hilliard slip clutch to power a set of paddles
using a small pulley set to replace end gears to power the
paddle assembly. A reduction gearbox engine would be to slow for this job.


The Wessex folks have already done the hard
work for you though with a motorised unit which
uses a crank winch to dump it.

 

[yelbike]

Look on the everything attachment website. they have 3ph sweepers. Not cheap though.

Compact Tractor 3 Point Hitch PTO driven Manual Angle Sweepster Broom, 4', Reversible Rotation

 

[3v0]

The EA unit is only a rotary broom. The OP wants to collect dog doo off his lawn.

 

[nwltruck]

Found a company call turf master industries that makes what they call a sweep all. Looking into it. Might be what I'm looking for. I hope!

 

[Carl_NH]

A less expensive solution is to get a tined thatcher - $100-200 range - every spring I tow one around the yard and it collects the twigs and thatches at the same time. This would also break up the dog poo if you double pass allowing it to break down naturally.

Then after thatching I use the trac vac to lift up the thatch and remaining leaves. Yes, you will get dog poo in the tires but you will with any machine/solution.

Of course if you have bucks to spend and mind set on a sweeper arrangement go for it. Just trying to be realistic and "kis" keep it simple" approach.

Carl

 

[nwltruck]

Problem is that I don't own a vacuum. They're not cheap either. I have used my sweeper for a few years now and love the way it makes the lawn look. I'm just surprised a scaled up version is so hard to find.

 

[3v0]

Looks like you want a unicorn.

Looks like it comes down to modding you existing sweeper. Personally I would look into turning it with a hydraulic motor instead of PTO if you have the hydraulics. If you are lucky you might not need a gearbox. One of these 190 RMP units from Northen Tool might mount right to the shaft. At worse 2 sprockets and a chain for speed adjustment.

I expect that has way more torque then you needs. Should be able to find a less powerful one for less money.

EDIT: here is one for $130 880RPM.

 

[Carl_NH]

Several older posts you might want to consider.. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/37177-pto-driven-lawn-sweeper-4.html

The sweepmaster units are like $4K and if you do a search on TBN you will find varied reviews.

As said earlier, find a used Trac Vac or Cyclone Rake and tined thatcher and you will be out maybe $1K..


Carl

 

[nwltruck]

Thought of that also. I think modifying mine would require hydraulics. Putting a gear box and shaft on that size of unit would destroy it. If I can't find one at a reasonable price I believe I can build one. What I'm looking for is fairly simple and low tech. I have put together ideas in my head. The only thing I'm having problems with is what to use for the broom.

 

[3v0]

How about a picture of you existing one esp the broom.

 

[yelbike]

Looks like you want a unicorn.

Looks like it comes down to modding you existing sweeper. Personally I would look into turning it with a hydraulic motor instead of PTO if you have the hydraulics. If you are lucky you might not need a gearbox. One of these 190 RMP units from Northen Tool might mount right to the shaft. At worse 2 sprockets and a chain for speed adjustment.

I expect that has way more torque then you needs. Should be able to find a less powerful one for less money.

EDIT: here is one for $130 880RPM.

It may be cheaper to try a use a small 12vdc motor to drive the sweepers.

 

[nwltruck]

Here is a pic of the brushes on the one I have. Very simple 1/2" rod with 4 brushes mounted to it.

 

[5picker]

Back a few years ago when I lived in FL my neighbor was having the same problem as the OP in that the drive wheels just didn't do a good enough job driving the brushes, especially when the lawn was damp. He bought a cheap 12v winch, removed the cable and cable housing and attached it to the side of the unit and used that to drive the brushes. As I recall, I believe he mounted it directly to the brush shaft with something similar to a LoveJoy coupler. I remember he used it so much the cheap plastic tire treads were just about worn out but the winch kept the brushes going with no problems. BTW... that brush material is available in various lengths and bristle thicknesses from McMaster-Carr.

 

[leonz]

Strictly depending on the weight of the frame and hood of the sweeper you can use a 3 horse reduction geared unit to power the sweeper using the existing brooms.

You may find it simpler to build a frame and attach it to the hitch/build a new hitch and bolt the motor and roller chain or belt drive to the hitch.

In order to do this you need to disconnect the gearing from the wheels.

IF the gears are plastic you will not be able tlo run a chain drive from a reduction geared motor as they will most likely be stripped by the gear reduction unit.

It will take a bit if modifying but it can be done by placing the engine/gearbox on the hitch and a V pulley in the center of the sweeper.

You need to remove the brushes and the shaft to get the exact center to position the pulley and cut a small bit of the brooms away to refit it in the sides. Then you can build a base to mount on the tow hitch or build a new hitch entirely for it.


Do you have a very large yard that would take too long a time to police with pooper scooper and a plastic bag?