Parker Lawn Sweepers

[jleitschaft 29]

Hello, 

     Looking for feedback about Parker lawn sweepers. From what I understand, Parker sweepers were a very popular but discontinued in 2010. My father, very set in his ways, would only use a Wheel Horse tractor with rear discharge deck, pulling a Parker lawn sweeper. The thought of using anything other than this combination was out of the question. At one point, My father decided he was ready for a new Parker sweeper. When he reached out to the local tractor dealer, he was told there are no more Parker sweepers. They have been discontinued and are not available anymore. A very determined individual, my father somehow located the last 2 brand new, in the box, unassembled Parker lawn sweepers in a warehouse somewhere on this earth. He paid dearly to have these 2 sweepers freight shipped to a local dealer where he picked them up. My father put them in the garage and now knowing how scarce they are, continued fixing our old Parker sweepers with the surplus of parts we had. In 2017, my father passed away, never using the 2 brand new sweepers. I then took over our lawn care and immediately purchased a zero-turn mower with a bagger system. I still have the 2 new Parkers, unassembled, in the box, in the garage. Does anyone know if Parker sweepers are still desired or who may have an interest in them. At this point, I know I will never use them. Not sure if there is still a market for them. Any information or feedback would be appreciated. Thank you             

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,553]

Our fathers must have been twins, when he bought his 1974 C-160 Auto new, he also bought a Parker Sweeper.  I remember that sweeper had a metal bottom in the bin, and it worked very well with a removable draw bar. I don’t hear much about Parker Sweepers anymore,  but I imagine that they did / do have a following. It would be sentimental to have one to pull behind my 1974 C-160.

[C-85 726]

We used to sell Parker sweepers at my families business, but they were blue, I hadn't seen any red ones until now!  Years ago I bought for myself a Sears, which I think was made by Agrifab and I've been very happy with it.  One thing I have appreciated about the one I have is that it doesn't have the rear caster wheels.  I've seen the caster wheels dig in on turns and being that mine doesn't have them, all the weight ends up on its drive wheels, so that seems to help it get traction.  

 

C-85

[jleitschaft 29]

Funny you mention the metal bottom. I am 46 years old, and my dad had the wheel horse/parker combination my entire life. I remember the progression of the sweepers throughout the years. Yellow cloth bag, baby blue metal front with yellow PARKER print and metal bottom. I remember the 2 wire rods in the back corners that held the pipe handle (top frame) up. The wheels were skinny and I remember a lot of dragging in the yard when it was soft haha.... But the 2 i have are as pictured... the newest (last) models they made