reviewer
Lazylawnboy
North Canton, OH

Believe it or not - and I bought it!

5 star rating


NOV
11
2008
I'm in Ohio, and I am writing the the evening after buying and putting together and testing this lawn sweeper. Yesterday it was 31 degrees and rainy / sleeting when I finished at 7PM (and like than man I am, I tested it anyhow) First, the short version: Bought 11/09/08 for $299 on sale, in stock, slightly torn box, minor paint rubbed from a few parts - nothing damaged or missing - am a picky guy, but not worth returning for a 'perfect' box, Instructions seemed better than reviews stated, but I missed a point (shown in photo only) when putting the bagger together - it was the step with the verticial braces - I left them hanging down the first time I slide the long bar across - then could not rotate them into the bag, so had to undo and redo - they might explain that part better - took me 2 relaxed hours (I do not hurry at all - pet the dog, drink a soda, music playing, etc) to built it, test it, and clean up my mess and put everything away. After 'test use' at night, in the rain and cold - am completely sold on this unit - I have 2+ acres, and have a 3 bin bagger - but for leaves - I wanted this - am tired of sucking leaves for six feet, then having to empty the bagger. I do not abuse my equipment, or use it other than it is intended - I expect this will work very well, would buy it over again, would suggest it to friends too. THe biggest point - and I read it here, and saw it happen - the most important key to it working well, is adjusting the height of the brushes!! I set the height in my garage to a 1/4 inch from touching the ground - then I bundled up, hit the door opener, and drove out into the light rain and dark onto my soaking wet grass (remember, this is not supposed to work on WET ground). The wheels promptly stopped rolling - yet if I backed up, they rolled fine. Remembering what I read (brushes should be only 1/2 inch into the grass) I got off, and by guess, I raised the height (wanted to raise it enough the first time so aimed high). Then off I went, and promptly filled the bag up completely in bout 7 minutes - with zero issues! Unlike my trailer, you do not need to worry bout turning too tightly. Yes, a way to turn off the brushes would be nice - but in my reading, none of them offer that ability. They say that you do not need to get out of your seat to empty the bin - well, completely full of very wet leaves - my arm is not strong enough to do it sitting down - but, simply standing beside the tractor, it was cake to MTY the bag - swings very easy too - true, you must dump it, then you will have to shovel or something to put the leaves in the pile - there is no way to dump like with my bagger system and it's three bins - which is like emptying a garbage can - so I can't see any better way for this too work. Height adjustment was not like the DEMO unit at Sears - mine had it next to the right wheel, and if you do it right, it adds a 'star' washer between the two pieces to reduce the ease of sliding out of adjustment.



I_thumb_up Craftsman 42 in. High Speed Sweeper is recommended by Lazylawnboy

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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about Lazylawnboy’s Review

 


5 star rating
"Great Product!"
More Craftsman 42 in. High Speed Sweeper reviews
Buy it on Sears.com for $299.99
5 star rating
"AWESOME!!!"


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