Agri-Fab 44 in Tow Lawn Sweeper Review: 28 Cu Ft Hopper

This sweeper is best at clearing large areas of dry leaves, pine needles, pinecones and grass clippings in fewer trips.

• Capacity. Agri-Fab says the 28 cu ft flow-through hopper holds up to twice as much as a traditional 3-bin mower bagger, and filling back to front means fewer stops to empty it.
• Brush speed. A 5.6 to 1 brush-to-wheel ratio spins the brushes quickly relative to ground speed, which helps lift debris cleanly. The Ohio Steel 4222V2 42 in Tow Lawn Sweeper, 22 cu ft, by comparison, lists 4.5 to 1.
• Dump from the seat. Pull the handle to empty the hopper onto a tarp, compost pile or trailer without climbing off.
• Durability details. Bronze bushings on the brush shaft and larger 12 by 3 inch tires for smoother towing over uneven turf.
• Multi-season use. Clippings in summer, leaves in fall and thatch after dethatching; see dethatcher vs aerator for that job.

The biggest drawback is that lawn sweepers, including this one, work best on dry debris. Wet, matted leaves stick to the turf and to each other, the brushes slip over them, and a hopper full of wet leaves gets heavy. Plan to sweep after a dry spell, or use a leaf vacuum or blower for soaked piles; see the best leaf vacuums.

The other drawbacks are practical. You need a riding mower or tractor to pull it, so small-yard owners pay for capacity they cannot use, and a 44 inch unit with a 28 cu ft bag takes real storage space; the listing does not describe a folding design. Large sticks and heavy debris can jam or bend brushes, so pick those up first. The listing also does not state the warranty.

These themes summarize published owner reviews of Agri-Fab tow-behind sweepers, not our own use.

Praise themes

• Fall cleanup on big, treed lots takes a fraction of the time raking did.
• The large hopper means fewer dump stops.
• Dumping from the seat is genuinely convenient.
• Picks up pine needles and small cones well.

Complaint themes

• Assembly takes time and patience.
• Pickup drops sharply on wet or matted leaves.
• Brush height must be set correctly: too high misses debris, too low wears brushes.
• Storage space for the assembled unit.

Buy it if

• You own a lawn tractor or zero-turn, such as the Husqvarna TS 140X 54 in. Lawn Tractor.
• You clear an acre or more of leaves, needles or clippings each season.
• Your debris is usually dry when you get to it.
• You want to empty the hopper without leaving the seat.

Skip it if

• Your yard is under a quarter acre; the Agri-Fab 26 in Push Lawn Sweeper, 7 cu ft is a push model with a 7 cu ft bag.
• Your leaves are usually wet or matted.
• You need to fold it flat for storage; the Ohio Steel 4222V2 42 in Tow Lawn Sweeper, 22 cu ft lists a folding bag and drawbar.
• You mostly need to haul debris, not collect it; a Rocky Mountain Goods Drawstring Leaf Tarp, 9 x 9 ft and a cart may be enough.

Warranty: the listing does not state warranty terms for this model, although Agri-Fab lists a 3-year limited warranty on its 26 inch push sweeper. Confirm the tow-behind model's coverage with Agri-Fab and keep your receipt.

Certification: a ground-driven sweeper has no engine or electrical components, so emissions and electrical safety listings do not apply. Check your tractor's operator manual for the towed load it allows.

Recalls: we cannot query the recall database for you, so check the CPSC recall database at cpsc.gov/Recalls for this model and its serial range before you buy, and again once a year after you own it. Register the product with the manufacturer so a recall notice reaches you directly.