Choosing the best (right) lawn sweeper for the job

To choose the right lawn sweeper for you and your needs, you’ll first want to ask yourself a few questions:

* What are the main items (grass, leaves, cones, pine needles) that I am concerned about cleaning?

* Do I have a lawn or garden tractor?

* How big is my patio?

* Will I have enough storage space for the lawn sweeper? (some are quite large based on your needs)

* What is my budget?

* Do I prefer a lawn sweeper to push or tow behind the lawn sweeper?

There are two main varieties of lawn sweepers, towed and pushed (human powered). The trailer is hooked up to a lawn tractor or ATV and works best for larger lawns. These are obviously more expensive and require larger storage areas. Push-pull sweepers are human-powered. Still, most aren’t much more difficult to maneuver than a push mower.

Choosing the best (correct) lawn or garden sweeper will always come down to which of the above categories best suits your needs. In most reviews, the main complaint is that the specific sweeper did not perform the functions for which the user needed it. That is why it is vital to know what your expectations are. Many expect the lawn sweeper to pick up large pine cones or needles. Some of the larger sweepers will, but it’s best to read the reviews of each model before purchasing to determine what exactly to expect. One of the most common complaints found in reviews is that the product did not clean the lawn like a carpet or did not pick up the wet leaves. Remember that it is grass and the length of the lawn and the grade of the patios can be very important. Make sure the lawn sweeper you choose has the proper height settings for your particular garden. Are there many hills or uneven terrain? Next, make sure you get a lawn sweeper that has a higher maximum on the height settings. Also, the more uneven the lawn, the less effective the sweeper will be. Also, be prepared to assemble the sweeper yourself if you order online, as well as in most physical stores. However, most reviews scored high on ease of assembly.

The size of the basket or hopper is another important feature to consider. Sweepers with smaller hoppers will fill faster and therefore you will have to make more trips to unload. In contrast, larger hoppers hold more. Some of the larger hoppers hold around 30 gallons. Larger sweepers not only have more hopper capacity, but also a wider sweep width. The less expensive push brooms generally have widths of 25 to 26 inches, while the larger trailer brooms can have widths of more than 38 inches. This is where your storage capacity matters. Make sure you have enough storage space for the sweeper when not in use. Although many reviews suggest that you can disassemble the sweeper when not in use, making it easy to store.