Mechanical Broom Sweeps Lawns Clean

Mechanical broom sweeps lawns clean FARM HOME Lawn Mowers (31h,38) 12-3-30 It picks up dead grass, leaves, twigs, gravel and even large stones, says Roy Lechler, Kiel, Wisc., about the self-powered lawn sweeper which he built for pulling behind his riding lawn mower. The unique rig features a 24 in. dia. nylon brush, powered by a 1 1/2 hp engine and enclosed by a shield made of galvanized steel. The brush, shield and engine are mounted on a rectangular frame, 3 ft. long and 30 in. wide, made of 1/2x 11/12in. steel tubing. As the brush rotates, it scoops up material and throws it into a trailing plywood hop-per, 3 ft. wide, 2 ft. long and 24 in. high. The hopper is attached to the rear end of the sweeper frame. Four 8 in. wheels, borrowed from a riding lawn mower, support the lawn sweeper and hopper. To operate the sweeper, Lechler simply drops a pin into the riding mower's drawbar and pulls a rope to start the engine, which powers a drive pulley to turn the brush. A 3-ft. long lever, mounted on the right front corner of the sweeper frame, allows Lechler to adjust brush height. Lechler uses the sweeper, which he built last year, mainly for spring cleanup as he mows the lawn. "It's durable and does a much better job of picking up debris and stones than commercial, push-type sweepers," says Lechler. To pick up heavy stones and heavy, wet leaves, he keeps the brush close to the ground. "If the brush is set low and you stay in one place on uneven ground, it will sweep a hump right down," notes Lechler. "On uneven ground, you've got to keep moving. Of course, the smoother the lawn, the better job it does. "It doesn't work the best for picking up dry leaves, which tend to flyaway as they're thrown toward the hopper. But it does a good job of sweeping out dead grass, stones and twigs," he adds. Lechler says any riding lawn mower, or garden tractor could pull the sweeper. He adds that the rig probably would sweep up snow, although he hasn't tried it on snow yet. He spent about $500 to build the rig. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Roy Lechler, Rt. 1, Hwy. 67, Kiel, Wisc. 53042 (ph 414 894-3773).

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