If you have a large yard, you know how aggravating it can be when it’s full of acorns. Stepping on an acorn with bare feet is no fun at all. Plus, raking up piles of acorns gets tedious in a hurry. What’s the solution? The answer is to pick up the best lawn sweeper for acorns. Lawn sweepers cover large areas of land in a short period and do the bulk of the work to avoid the back-breaking labor that accompanies raking.
There’s some confusion as to whether lawn sweepers actually pick up acorns. In this guide, you’ll find models that get the job done. There are two choices when it comes to choosing a lawn sweeper for your yard. The first option is to choose a lawn sweeper that uses brushes to sweep up the acorns into a hopper bag as you tow it. For acorns, it’s better to set the brushes to the lowest setting to capture as many acorns, sticks, and other debris as possible on the first pass.
The second option is to invest in a lawn sweeper with a dethatcher. The addition of the dethatcher helps you to dig deeper below the surface similar to using a metal rake as you move along. This is a 2-in-1 dethatching & sweeping motion that first digs up the acorns, then the sweeper picks up what the dethatcher unearths.
Both methods work quite well, however, using a sweeper only is easier on your lawn since you’re working above the surface only. It’s important to identify your grass type to match the best lawn sweeper to your needs.
Now, let’s get started with an overview of our top picks before going over the reviews of each model.
Top 5 Lawn Sweepers for Acorns
| Product | Description |
#1) Agri-Fab 45-0492 44″ Lawn Sweeper  |
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#2) Agri-Fab 45-0546 52″ Lawn Sweeper  |
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#3) Craftsman 42″ Hi-Speed Lawn Sweeper  |
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#4) Ohio Steel 50SWP26 50″ Pro Sweeper  |
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#5) Brinly STS-42BHDK Lawn Sweeper with Dethatcher  |
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Best Lawn Sweepers for Acorns Reviewed
Before we get started with the reviews below, let’s quickly consider the types of grass that require dethatching. Common spreading grass varieties that require dethatching are Bermudagrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and creeping fescues. Also, low soil pH and overly compacted soil can cause the need to thatch more often. If you have these grass types or soil issues, you may want to consider adding a dethatcher to your lawn sweeper or choosing a combination sweeper/dethatcher.
Below, you’ll find reviews of each model featured in the chart above. In each review, we include highlights of each model along with the pros & cons to consider for each.
#1) Agri-Fab 45-0492 44″ Lawn Sweeper
Agri-Fab is one of the leaders in the lawn sweeper department, and for this reason, two of their models filled out the top of this list. One of the first advantages of choosing Agri-Fab is the trouble-free operation. Once you get this 44″ sweeper up and running, there’s less of a chance of running into headaches than other brands.
Do you want to mow and sweep at the same time? The beauty of the 45-0492 is the patented Agri-Fab offset hitch position. With this feature, you’ll save yourself considerable time by picking up clippings, small sticks, acorns, and other debris all in one swoop while you mow. Once you finish the job, this sweeper features a collapsible design for easy storage.
Final considerations are the adjustable brush height that allows you to set the brushes to low for targeting acorns, a release lever for easy dumping, large 12″ wheels, and plenty of capacity at 25 cu ft. All in all, this is the first place to look for a dependable all-around lawn sweeper.
Pros
- The patented off-set switch for mowing and sweeping simultaneously
- Built with high-quality sturdy components
- Collapses for easy storage
- Set the sweepers low for picking up acorns with ease
- A good choice for people with oak trees
- Easy to dump with the release lever
- Large capacity for big lawns
- Made in the USA with global parts
Cons
- Assembly may require some patience depending on how handy you are
- The instructions could be better
- Finding the right brush height for your yard may require some trial & error
#2) Agri-Fab 45-0546 52″ Lawn Sweeper
If the 44″ sweeper featured on the Agri-Fab 45-0492 is not enough for you, then this 52″ sweeper should get the job done. Of the models in this guide, this model will cover the most ground in the least time, making it ideal for the largest lawns of 2+ acres. However, that also means that it’s harder to maneuver around trees. Also, this model does not feature the offset switch that allows you to mow and sweep simultaneously.
Outside of those differences, model 45-0492 features the same durable components as model 45-0492 that are built to last for decades. Comparatively, model 45-0492 does offer an extra cubic foot of capacity to reduce the number of times you need to dump the hopper bag to finish the job.
A couple of final reasons to choose this model are the infinite height adjustment option for the brushes and the universal hitch that’s compatible with all tractor brands. Once you find the sweet spot on the brush height, you’ll maximize the number of acorns the sweeper picks up in a single pass.
Pros
- The widest sweeping width of the models in this guide for large lawns
- Infinite height adjustment to fine-tune your brush height
- Universal hitch compatible with all tractor brands
- Extra-large capacity to reduce dumping frequency
- Durable components built for decades of use
- An integrated dumping rope for dumping without the need to dismount the sweeper
- Adjustments are easy
- Long warranty period
Cons
- No off-set hitch position for mowing and sweeping simultaneously
- Assembly is not the easiest job
- Small riding mowers may have trouble pulling it when full of wet leaves
#3) Craftsman 42″ Hi-Speed Lawn Sweeper
Craftsman is a brand we all know, so you may feel more comfortable buying a Craftsman model. Overall, the build of most lawn sweepers is similar. A couple of differences between this Craftsman model and the Agri-Fab models above are wheel size and hopper capacity.
The 42″ working width of this Craftsman sweeper matches Agri-Fab model 45-0492, yet the Craftsman features a smaller capacity at 22 cu ft. Depending on whether you plan to tow it with a riding mower or tractor, you may find that the smaller capacity is better. For example, a small riding mower will experience less strain when the bag is full compared to the 42″ Agri-Fab sweeper.
Finally, it’s important to consider the wheels on this model. Compared to the wheels on Agri-Fab sweepers, Craftsman’s wheels are smaller and narrower. If you’re riding over mostly flat land, this won’t be a problem, but if you’re passing over bumpy terrain, the larger Agri-Fab wheels are the better choice. One final feature we like about this Craftsman sweeper is the easy-empty assembly that allows you to dump the hopper without leaving your tractor seat.
Pros
- The smaller hopper bag – compared to Agri-Fab – can be more ideal for small rider mowers
- Universal fit for all tractor brands
- The easy-dump option for emptying the bag without leaving your seat
- Adjustable brush height to capture the most acorns and other debris
- It does a great job of picking up wet leaves and pine needles
Cons
- Smaller wheels than Agri-Fab models
- No off-set hitch placement
- Assembly requires patience (usually takes 2 to 5 hours)
#4) Ohio Steel 50SWP26 50″ Pro Sweeper
Ohio Steel is another one of the best lawn sweeper brands, and model 50SWP26 is the ideal choice for acorns. The extra-wide 50″ sweeping width is made to cover a large working area in a short time. Plus, the 26 cu ft of carrying capacity matches the larger of the two Agri-Fab models featured in this guide.
One special feature you’ll find on this model is Ohio Steel’s patented 11″ spiraled polypropylene brushes for a more thorough cleaning job on the first pass. Next, this model features the same convenient easy-dumping mechanism as the Craftsman model above that allows you to dump the sweeper without leaving your seat.
Several final highlights are the 5-position universal hitch for a better fit on all tractor brands, it’s made in the USA, and it comes back by the longest warranty featured in this guide of 3 years. The only drawback is the smaller wheel size compared to Agri-Fab 45-0492 and Craftsman sweepers. For this size sweeper, it’d be nice to get 11.5″ or 12″ wheels.
Pros
- Manufactured in the USA
- 5-position hitch for attaching to most tractors, UTVs, and mowers
- An easy-dump mechanism for dumping without dismounting
- Extra-large capacity and sweeping width for large lawns
- You may find assembly is easier than Agri-Fab and Craftsman models
- High-efficiency patented brushes
Cons
- Smaller wheels than the Craftsman and Agri-Fab 45-0492 models
- The bag material could be more durable
- May not properly fit riding mowers with low hitch heights
#5) Brinly STS-42BHDK Lawn Sweeper with Dethatcher
For people who want to dethatch and sweep in one swoop, this model by Brinly is an excellent choice. What’s nice is you also have the option to raise the tines on the thatcher by simply using the easy-pull lever. This gives you the option to use it as a sweeper only without removing the dethatcher. When using the dethatcher and sweeper together, you may find that the combination unseats acorns buried slightly below the surface that a sweeper alone might have missed.
As far as the sweeper, the working width matches the Agri-Fab 45-0492 sweeper, however, the total bag capacity of 20 cu ft is a full 5 cu ft less, which equals more dumping to complete large jobs. Depending on the size of your lawn and the workload, this may or may not be a problem for you. Considering the bag is smaller, it’s easier to haul and dump than larger hopper bags.
Lastly, of the models in this guide, the Brinly sweeper collapses to be the most compact for storage. The patented upright storage design is nifty and worthy of your consideration if you’re low on storage space.
Pros
- A good 2-in-1 solution for grass types that need to be dethatched and cleared of acorns
- Folds down to be the most compact lawn sweeper
- The option to sweep without removing the dethatcher
- Nice large wheels for smoother rolling
- Does a good job of digging up acorns and nuts just below the surface
- High-quality brushes
Cons
- Assembly directions could be better
- Smaller capacity than other models in this guide
- The bag frame could use additional connections for a more secure fit
Bottom Line
Once you match your acreage, grass type, and tractor/UTV/mower type to the right model(s) in this guide, you’ll undoubtedly land on the best lawn sweeper for acorns to match your needs. Overall, Agri-Fab sweepers feature the most durable components that give you many seasons of use. Additionally, they feature all those good convenience features and large enough wheels to avoid missing spots.
One of the drawbacks of all the models in this guide is the assembly instructions. It appears that “made in the USA with global parts” also means receiving instructions written abroad. Because of this, it’s very important to read through the instructions a couple of times before you start to assemble the sweeper. Plus, doing an inventory of the hardware & parts is wise in case you need to contact the manufacturer.
Other than that drawback, once you get up and running, you’re going to save yourself a lot of time and money, not to mention your back some strain.
