A tow lawn sweeper is a piece of machinery that is typically attached to a lawn tractor or ATV, and is used to sweep debris off a lawn. It differs from a push sweeper because it is pulled behind a towing vehicle rather than pushed by hand. The size of the tow lawn sweeper will dictate how much debris can be swept at one time, as well as the size of the debris that can be collected. The unit is usually towed using a trailer hitch system between the sweeper and the towing vehicle.
The two important factors for determining how much debris can be swept using the tow lawn sweeper are how wide the brush is, and how large the container is. The brush is mounted at the bottom of the tow lawn sweeper, and its width will dictate how wide of a path it can sweep at one time. The container, or hopper, is the tub in which the swept debris will be stored until it can be disposed of. A larger hopper will mean an ability to sweep more materials without stopping the process to unload. Smaller units will require emptying more frequently.
Sometimes the tow lawn sweeper will feature a pivoting container that can be dumped easily by activating a hand crank or electrical switch. The sweeper will tip up on end, allowing the contents of the hopper to be dumped, often without necessitating that the operator leave his or her seat on the towing vehicle. This increases the efficiency and speed of the operation, though it will also increase the cost of the unit. Higher end units will feature adjustments for the height of the broom to ensure as much debris as possible is collected.
The attachment system between the tow lawn sweeper and the towing vehicle can vary, so it will be important for the consumer to check what type of hitch system is already included on his or her towing vehicle. The sweeper is not an exceptionally heavy unit in most cases, so a heavy-duty hitch system generally is not required. Some units are designed to allow a certain amount of sway as the unit is pulled, which makes turning and working around obstacles much easier. It is advisable to seek out such models to make the process of sweeping the lawn easier and more efficient, though most models will feature some sort of sway ability.