Got Some Seat Time Today!

[HorseFixer 2,013]

As you all may recall a few weeks ago I did some research on Lawn Sweepers. I came to the conclusion that the Craftsman was the best built unit, and I decided to purchase this unit. Well yesterday, I picked one up for $289.00 on sale, plus the Governors Cut. I assembled it last night in about an hr and 1/2 and figured I would wait for the Grass to Dry as it had been raining the past couple days. Today it was partly cloudy all day and we had 25 mph winds gusting to 35. By the time I got home from work the grass was completely dry. I hooked the Crapman up to the 417A and off I went. In a 1/2 hrs time and a couple adjustments I had the yard as clean as a whistle. This baby out performed even my expectations. This unit maneuvers well while pulling an d got the Job done well even tho tho we had very high winds. If you are wanting a leaf Sweeper as CRE mentioned this sweeper is the one to get!

As a side note: I am very happy with the results of my lawn this year. A sprinkler system is the way to go! My lawn is very healthy thick and I am sure in the next couple years will get even better. I use Scott's Products and have over seeded, applied wintergaurd and am ready for winter. Hear are some pics of the 417A with the sweeper. As you can see the flags are hanging straight out with the high winds. These Colors Don't Run!

Cheers ~Duke

Cheers ~Duke

[Butch 194]

Nice lawn Dukester! :banghead:

[VinsRJ 723]

Look sweet Duke! Isn't it amazing that Fall is in full swing? :thumbs2:

[smoreau 658]

Looks Good Duke!! That crapsman sticker needs a cover up or removed though. Glad you got the one you are happy with and Cheers :banghead:

[AMC RULES 37,210]

Looks like they were made for each other. Yard looks luxurious too. The application of winterguard, what does that do? :thumbs2:

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,277]

is it my imagination or is the red on the sweepster a dead-on match with the red on the Wheel Horse ?

Nice setup Duke.

Mike..........

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Nice lawn Dukester!

Thanks Butch Your Yard is a tough act to follow, and thanks for the suggestions on the sprinkler & answering my questions!

Look sweet Duke! Isn't it amazing that Fall is in full swing?

Thanks Vinny, Yes it is these years & seasons are going by too damn quick!

Looks Good Duke!! That crapsman sticker needs a cover up or removed though. Glad you got the one you are happy with and Cheers

Thanks Scotty, Yep I was thinking of giving Terry a call and design a Sweeper Decal.

Looks like they were made for each other. Yard looks luxurious too. The application of winterguard, what does that do?

Thanks Craig The wintergaurd Builds stronger, deeper roots for winter. So you See a thicker, greener lawn next spring. Basically it feeds your yard just before winter.

is it my imagination or is the red on the sweepster a dead-on match with the red on the Wheel Horse? Nice setup Duke.

Mike..........

Thanks Mike You have a good eYe my friend, the color is so close I can tell it with my eyes. That was one of the big sell points!

Cheers ~Duke

:thumbs:

[Retired Wrencher 5,836]

:thumbs2: Hi Duke I all so have a crapsman sweeper as u can see I had this since around 07/08?? it has never failed me yet I even sweep the street with it = the friendly neighbor favor. here is a couple of picks of the old sweep. T/Care Gary B.....

[dgoyette 12]

Duke - have the same one and like it too. I am going on my 4th season. I like that model because it has the 8.5 / 1 brush to wheel ratio.

My only complaint is the height adjustment is a poor set up. I have been thinking of modifying it to work better and also to be able to change it from the tractor seat.

[squonk 43,939]

Duke - have the same one and like it too. I am going on my 4th season. I like that model because it has the 8.5 / 1 brush to wheel ratio.

My only complaint is the height adjustment is a poor set up. I have been thinking of modifying it to work better and also to be able to change it from the tractor seat.

I got this Brinly sweeper with "shift on the fly " height adjustment. No pics of it working yet as usually I'm using it as it gets dark out. Maybe when the leaves finally get down I'll be out with it on the weekend. Mine works good but needs a winter overhaul as the wheels are crooked like an 800 lb. sat on it. I really like the self storing feature.

http://www.brinly.com/lawn-care-products/s.../STS-42LXH.html

[dgoyette 12]

Duke - have the same one and like it too. I am going on my 4th season. I like that model because it has the 8.5 / 1 brush to wheel ratio.

My only complaint is the height adjustment is a poor set up. I have been thinking of modifying it to work better and also to be able to change it from the tractor seat.

I got this Brinly sweeper with "shift on the fly " height adjustment. No pics of it working yet as usually I'm using it as it gets dark out. Maybe when the leaves finally get down I'll be out with it on the weekend. Mine works good but needs a winter overhaul as the wheels are crooked like an 800 lb. sat on it. I really like the self storing feature.

http://www.brinly.com/lawn-care-products/s.../STS-42LXH.html

Yes that height adjustment lever on the Brinly is a definite improvement!

[C-85 768]

This is my simulated W/H sweeper with a few modifications. It's funny because it looks a lot Horsefixers, but you'll soon see it's way different!

This was the first thing that had to be changed

The first time my son used this he left it adjusted all the way down, which put a tremendous load on it. The other thing that happened is the rope to dump it ended up getting wrapped around the brush and something had to give, so this handle and guide got bent and twisted while it was getting dragged (and tires skidding groves in the lawn -GRRR) around like this. I straightened it out and then I welded an extra piece of metal on the handle to make it a little stronger. It's much more ridged now.

I took the little spacers that came with this and welded them together and to the hitch, so I don't have to keep screwing around with them every time I wanted to hook it up.

I had a heck of a time moving this around by hand , so I just use this plastic adjustable cord clamp and wrap it around the basket and pipe and it moves much easier, just a simple that that I thought I would pass on. With this clamped I can just grab a hold of the top of the basket which turns into kind of a handle and it is much easier to move around.

[HankB 16]

Any idea if any of these sweepers would pick up black walnuts? A couple weeks ago when I raked up three trailer loads of them from two trees I was thinking about picking up a sweeper. I liked the looks of the Brinly one because it collapses for storing. Seems like the Agri-Fab ones are a lot more common here (at least on CL.) I do have an old clapped out Parker that hardly picks up anything.

thanks,

hank

[C-85 768]

I'm not sure who makes the Crapman sweepers. The one I have does collapse, but I've never used that feature. I don't have walnuts, but I do have plenty of acrons. My sweeper will pick some of them up if the brush height is adjusted just right. I kind of doubt that my sweeper would pick up walnuts, but I'll tell you that it works really good on leaves and grass! This thing is great and has saved a bunch of work at my place!

Picture of me and of my 2 favorite things!

C-85

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Picture of me and of my 2 favorite things!

C-85

C-85 with all that fine instruction, It wont be long and that Youngin will be doing the sweepin while you watch! I like Your Hitch Mod. Yes those d*mn rings -n- things is too much loose parts to fool with and yer system takes care of that and I thank you. Looks like Ole Duke needs to fire up the Tig and get after it. I also like that Briney adjustment Doo Dad Mechinizm Im gonna have to print that picture take it out and study this sometime, Too much to do on the 520 cab and stuff for snow chuckin before winter so will hafta defer these things for right now but do plan to do them.

~Duke

[dgoyette 12]

I am pretty sure the Craftsman sweepers are Agi Fab.

[tunahead72 2,553]

Any idea if any of these sweepers would pick up black walnuts? A couple weeks ago when I raked up three trailer loads of them from two trees I was thinking about picking up a sweeper.

It pains me to say this, but after 30 years of picking up black walnuts in my yard, and dealing with the toxins the tree roots put into my gardens and the squirrels they attract to my attic, I've found the best tool for cleaning up black walnuts is a chain saw.

Don't get me wrong, I still have several of the buggers in my yard, and probably always will, but sometimes a little selective cutting goes a long way.

Just a thought.

[squonk 43,939]

Here's a not so flattering view of the underside of my $50 Brinly sweeper in it's folded up position

Here you can see the "Shift on the fly" height adjuster.

Here's my solution to the "rope in the brushes " problem. Plus you don't have to tie and untie it every time!

[HorseFixer 2,013]

I've found the best tool for cleaning up black walnuts is a chain saw.

:dunno:

[sorekiwi 761]

My craftsman sweeper will pick up the walnuts that havent been run over by the wheels of the tractor first.

[AMC RULES 37,210]

Pardon me, but I beg to differ Duke.

Based on the research I've done, I think my Wheelhorse sweeper is the best unit built. Original equipment still working flawlessly, no modifications necessary. Is it possible to determine the year it was built? :wh:

[HorseFixer 2,013]

I still see lots of leafs on the ground around that thing... Must need a set of New brushes. and a buff -n- Wax

~Duke

[Gene_S 93]

My craftsman sweeper will pick up the walnuts that havent been run over by the wheels of the tractor first.

Thanks Mike for the correct spelling of Craftsman!!!

If I thought something was "Crap" I wouldn't buy it... :dunno:

[HorseFixer 2,013]

My craftsman sweeper will pick up the walnuts that havent been run over by the wheels of the tractor first.

Thanks Mike for the correct spelling of Craftsman!!!

If I thought something was "Crap" I wouldn't buy it...

Yeah Thanks Gene for pointing that out. I don't think I could have lived another day without that correct Spelling. It looks

like its gonna be another beautiful day up here in Michigan Where the Skys are U of M Blue and the grass is Spartan Geen. I

think Ill get my CRAPMAN Sweeper out and get some more seat time.

Awe CRAP there I go, I did it again.

Cheers ~Duke

[HankB 16]

It pains me to say this, but after 30 years of picking up black walnuts ..., I've found the best tool for cleaning up black walnuts is a chain saw.

A co-worker pointed out years ago that they are the last trees to leaf in spring and the first to lose their leaves in the fall (and I'll add, without any color.) And they leave the walnuts all over the yard. Then the squirrels chew them up and they leave the hulls all over the place. If they get tracked in, they stain the carpet permanently.

But they're the only trees we have in the front yard.

I believe the toxin they distribute washes off the leaves as well.