What is a Lawn Sweeper
This is a garden tool used to remove fallen leaves, debris and twigs from your lawn. It uses spinning brushes to collect the leaves as you push or pull the sweeper across your yard. The debris then gets transferred to the hopper or the bag attached to the device. Once you’re done, you can remove the hopper and empty it out. This helps to prevent thatch buildup and promotes natural grass growth.
Lawn Sweepers Types
There are two types of lawn sweepers based on your specific needs. Manual sweepers are usually preferred for smaller yards, while tow-behind ones are suitable for large lawns.
Always
follow the manufacturer’s instructions, including specifications for safety
gear.
Manual Push
These are small and lightweight, making them easy to push across when cleaning. They have a compact hopper or bag for storing debris. The hopper or bag is collapsible for easy storage. The length of the brushes can be adjusted to make the cleaning process smoother. The height adjustment mechanism is simple, involving a lever and some holes to adjust the height. It picks up scattered leaves better than a rake would, making it a convenient tool.
Tow-Behind
These are comparatively larger and collect more debris due to their size, making them ideal for large yards. Tow-behind lawn sweepers have to be attached to a machine like a riding mower or lawn tractor. These are called power sweepers since they require gas or power to work.
What is a Leaf Blower
A leaf blower essentially blows leaves and debris to one area for convenient collection. It is powered by fuel or electricity, which emits a high velocity of air to move the leaves. It makes clearing a space easier than rakes and brooms.
Leaf blowers are considered to be a gentler method of removing debris from your grass without scraping the soil or harming the grass blades. Some leaf blowers consist of a vacuum mode, which collects and mulches leaves into an attached bag.
Leaf blowers are either electric, battery or gas-powered, each with their own advantages.
- Corded electric leaf blower: These need to be plugged into an electrical outlet. They can work for an extended time but have limited mobility.
- Battery-powered electric leaf blower: This is cordless and consists of rechargeable batteries. Their runtime depends on the battery capacity.
- Gas-powered leaf blower: This consists of a two-stroke gasoline engine for power generation and combustion. These have considerable power and mobility, enabling it to clear large areas.
Leaf Blower Types
Leaf blowers consist of three distinct types meant for diverse requirements. Whether you want one for large tasks or low-maintenance work, there is one for everyone.
Handheld Leaf Blower
A handheld leaf blower is ideal for smaller amounts of leaves or debris. These are convenient since they are lightweight and sturdy. They can also be used to clean decks, patios and walkways. They range in weight from 4 to 10 pounds, with the lighter ones being easy to maneuver and the heavier ones being more powerful. These are available in both electric (battery or cord) and gas-powered models.
Backpack Leaf Blower
A backpack leaf blower is recommended if you have a large yard and considerable debris to clean up. The backpack feature is convenient and easy on your back when clearing a big lawn. It reduces the strain on your arm since it distributes the weight across your back, providing comfort and reducing fatigue. These are primarily powered with gas and function in the same manner as the handheld model. The only difference is the presence of a long tube that connects to the nozzle. These also provide comfort with their design and build. They offer high-volume clearing and extended use. When using a gas-powered blower, wear a dust mask to protect yourself from the fumes.
Walk-Behind Leaf Blower
A walk-behind leaf blower is exactly as its name suggests. You push the blower ahead and it propels air forward through its discharge chute. The chute is adjustable for you to direct it wherever you need. This offers better maneuvering and ease of control. If you have an expansive property and have to deal with a large amount of leaves and debris, this is an ideal choice.
Leaf Blower vs Lawn Sweeper
When deciding whether a leaf blower or lawn sweeper is the best fit for your yard, you can take a look at their list of pros and cons.
Pros of a Leaf Blower
- Leaf blowers clean up faster, especially in larger lawns and yards.
- These are versatile and can help clear more than just leaves. They can be useful for heavy debris and pine needles. Avoid using in case of wet or slippery conditions.
- Handheld leaf blowers are relatively easy to store and compact in their designs.
Cons of a Leaf Blower
- Leaf blowers can make significant noise, especially the gas-powered ones. Make sure to wear earplugs to protect your hearing.
- Other than the models with a vacuum function, leaf blowers require the extra work of bagging the leaves manually.
- Leaf blowers may create a mess if they blow debris onto the sidewalk or into your neighbor’s yard. Debris can also blow into your eyes, so wearing safety goggles is recommended.
- Wet leaves can lead to overexertion due to their increased weight and clumping.
- Not effective for sticks and branches.
Pros of a Lawn Sweeper
- Lawn sweepers make significantly less noise making them suitable for noise-sensitive neighborhoods.
- Unlike leaf blowers, lawn sweepers effectively clear wet leaves and collect debris directly.
- The debris collected in the hopper can be used for composting.
Cons of a Lawn Sweeper
- It is a time-consuming process that requires more effort than using a leaf blower.
- Covers a limited area at a time and might require you to go over the same section multiple times.
- Lawn sweepers are quite bulky and might require more storage space.