reviewer
choice49
Kalamazoo, SW corner of MI

Only faults: lockups and backup

5 star rating


MAR
30
2009
I like it a lot, saves vast energy (I'm disabled...walk but weak) on my 1 acre with 10 trees. I've had wheel lockups and other cloggings, esp. with mulberry leaves, heavy pine needles, and wet leaves on wet ground. But this is minor, even with a good dusting of snow on top of everything last November, and it generally unclogs easily. I bought the optional dethatcher, which fortunately removes and reinstalls with ease, because you'll want it off whenever clogging is likely. My big problem is that there's no way you can back up with this thing, as it immediately jack-knifes. I have places to dump on ground, but no pull-through spots. I've tried dumping on tarps, but driving on generally catches the tarp. You can dump on your lawn then rake onto a tarp, but even then you'll need a lot of space or you'll have to empty the tarp frequently. Also, the sweeper is always going, so you'd better plan your route to end up back at the dumping spot just as the bag is filling. You can pull the dump cord from the tractor seat, but it's pretty hard on my oldish body. You also generally have to drive a little forward as you hold the cord, to completely empty the hopper. I've been thinking but haven't come up with a dumping plan for an easy, cheap drive-over ramp scheme where I can pull forward up the ramp, dump while over some container or tarp, then continue forward off the ramp. This would cut total effort by more than half.



I_thumb_up Craftsman 42 in. High Speed Sweeper is recommended by choice49

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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about choice49’s Review

 


1 star rating
"Avoid this sweeper!"
More Craftsman 42 in. High Speed Sweeper reviews
Buy it on Sears.com for $299.99
1 star rating
"sweeper dissapointment"


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