A lawn sweeper is a very convenient machine that helps with the removal of garden debris such as fallen pine needles, leaves and cut grass. The lawn sweeper works by gathering picked debris that the rotating brushes sweep into a collection bag.
On the other hand, a lawn bagger is basically a vacuum cleaner for lawns as it comes with a vacuum tube and a bag on the other side that traps the sucked debris from the lawn.
Moreover, there are two types of lawn mower available on the market mechanical and electrical. Mechanical lawn mowers will need to be pushed behind in order for the forward pushing movement to transfer power from the two wheels to the brush system.
This process causes the lawn sweeper to rotate and thereby lift the debris from the lawn and into the hopper behind. Electrical lawn mowers look basically the same but are powered by either gas or lead acid batteries.
For large gardens and commercial uses, there is a third type called towable lawn sweeper that will need to be pulled by a vehicle or small garden tractor. Overall, lawn sweepers are much cheaper than baggers and are a great alternative to standard leaf blowers.
How to Decide Whether You Need a Lawn Sweeper or Lawn Bagger?
Firstly, think about how big your lawn is and how often you use your lawn mower. Secondly, consider the differences between the lawn sweeper and lawn bagger. As mentioned above, lawn baggers are attached to lawn mowers hence they will be great for small gardens as well as gardens that have a lot of obstacles.
However, keep in mind that a bagger will need to be dumped at least several times otherwise you will risk the debris flying out because the bagger will be full. On the other hand, if you have a large garden then purchasing a lawn sweeper will be much more reasonable as a lawn sweeper will be capable of picking much more debris than a lawn bagger.
The Type of Debris You Have and the Wetness of Your Grass
Mowing grass during a particularly humid day or after rain and irrigation can damage the lawn sweeper as well as the bagger hence it will always be best if you decide against mowing your lawn on such days.
Moreover, keep in mind that lawn baggers will need to be dumped regularly because otherwise they will get backed up and could potentially overheat.
Furthermore, you will also have to think about the type of debris that usually ends up on your lawn such as fallen leaves, sticks, pine cones, and twigs. Based on the type of debris you usually notice laying around on your lawn you will have to choose the best tool.
Another reason that many individuals choose a lawn sweeper is that it comes with soft brushes that will not damage your lawn. However, if you live in an area that does not get much debris then you could easily go for the lawn bagger.
Which One is Easier to Clean?
In order to ensure that your chosen garden tool will stay functional for years to come you will have to regularly clean it. Overall, there isn’t an exact guide on how often you should clean a lawn sweeper or bagger but the rule of thumb is to thoroughly clean it after several uses.
Light cleaning such as wiping the top surface and handle will be best done after every use plus you would also want to turn the lawn mower upside down after every use in order to get all the grass clipping out.
The area below the lawn mower is called the deck and it would be a good idea for you to thoroughly clean it once every few months.
Why Should You Regularly Clean the Lawn Deck?
The deck, sometimes also called the housing, is located beneath the engine of an electrical lawn sweeper near the blade compartment and cleaning it doesn’t have to do with the actual neatness.
Regular cleaning routines are needed in order to keep the lawn sweeper in good condition plus cleaning the deck will ensure that the spinning blades will have room to stand upright and better grab the debris from the lawn.
A lawn sweeper that is not cleaned regularly will accumulate a layer of dried grass clippings that in turn will deflect the blades to the side thus decrease the lawn sweepers efficiency. Furthermore, regularly cleaning the deck of the lawn sweeper will help reduce the risk of spreading various lawn diseases.
Keep in mind that when you mow your lawn you are opening a pathway for various diseases such as fungal infections to enter inside and infect the plant’s cells.
Fungal infections might breed in the deck of the lawn sweeper or bagger if it is not cleaned regularly thus it is important for you to brush off any remains of grass and then spray the deck with a mix of water and white vinegar or bleach.
How to Store Lawn Sweeper or Bagger During the Winter?
Lawn sweepers and lawn baggers will need to be stored away for the winter and it is recommended to clean the deck before you store it away too. Cleaning the deck before you store the tool away will ensure that no grass rods during the winter.
Moreover, it would be a good idea to empty the tank or remove the battery if you have an electrical lawn sweeper. Also, if you are going to clean the tool with water and stop then ensure that you dry it afterward. Plus, some gardeners prefer to lightly spray the deck with any sorts of oil including vegetables.
The gas tank is recommended to be emptied because otherwise it would be become gummy during the winter and could possibly damage the engine in electrical lawn sweepers. But, if you don’t want to bother with emptying the tank then you could just add a small amount of fuel stabilizer into the tank and run the sweeper for several minutes so as to mix it with the fuel.
Why a Lawn Sweeper or Bagger is Needed?
A lawn sweeper or bagger is essential in any household that has a lawn because otherwise the fallen leaves will decay on the lawn and halt the growth of the grass. This leads to bare patches to form on the lawn thereby ruining the aesthetic appearance of your garden or front lawn.
Raking the fallen leaves and other debris manually can be very exhausting hence a lawn sweeper or bagger can very much ease the task.
By using a lawn sweeper, you could save energy and time plus lawn sweepers are much gentler on the grass than manual rakes, vacuum cleaners or lawn blowers. Moreover, a lawn sweeper has almost double the capacity when compared to the standard bagger.
Conclusion
As you probably have already understood that choosing between a lawn sweeper and a bagger does not have to be difficult as each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
As mentioned above, before you firmly decide on buying one of the two garden tools think about the size of your garden, what debris the lawn normally accumulates and whether you want to have a mechanical lawn sweeper or an electrical one.
Moreover, decide on the budget and keep in mind that lawn bagger costs a tad more than lawn sweepers do. Plus, remember that lawn baggers will need to be dumped periodically so as to avoid clogging and engine overheating.
Furthermore, think about where you are going to store the tool in the winter and if you are willing to regularly clean it so as to prevent debris build up. Most professional gardeners recommend purchasing a durable and reliable lawn sweeper that can be attached to your lawn mower.
Such an arrangement will eliminate the need to sweep the lawn once you are done mowing the front yard. Plus, lawn sweepers have much greater capacity hence you would not have to worry about it. Just backing up or about dumping the contents.
The remaining gas in the tank could solidify during the winter and potentially damage the engine in the spring when you will start the engine again. Therefore, it is important to either empty the tank completely or add a special solution that will stabilize the gas and prevent it from turning gummy.
In conclusion, I would like to remind you to regularly check for any damages. Because fixing a problem will usually cost much cheaper than having to change a whole detail especially something like the blades or the solenoids.