Overview
Review Background
- Author: Ray
- Research Sources: Mowers Direct and Northern Tool and Equipment
- Verified Purchases (?) Used For This Review: 19
- Average Mowers Direct Rating*: 4.5 out of 5.0
- Average Northern Tool & Equipment Rating*: 4.4 out of 5.0
- Average Total Owner Rating (Mowers Direct + Northern Tool & Equipment)*: 4.5 out of 5.0
* On Publishing Date.
Rating By Owners
Product Facts
- Official Homepage
- Model Number: 42TSC
- Lawn Type Compatibility: works with all common residential lawns.
- Lawn Tractor/Riding Mower Compatibility: works with machines that have a universal hitch (check with the manufacturer about your specific towing machine).
- Weight: 95 lbs (43.09 kg)
- Assembled Product Size (L x W x H): 65.5″ x 48″ x 35.5″ (166.37 x 121.92 x 90.17 cm)
What Owners Say
What Owners Like
The majority of owners rave about how impressed they are with the Ohio Steel 42″ lawn sweeper. A couple of people talk about how the machine’s performance exceeded expectations.
People are keen to comment on the high quality, durability and ease of use of the lawn sweeper.
Several people praised its quietness, indicating a smooth operation.
Many owners are happy about the large sized hopper, because it saves them time from having to start-stop to dump collected debris. One person says he was able to clear up all of his 1 acre garden without having to dump out the contents until the end.
Storage is described as easy, with the collapse mechanism of the Ohio Steel 42″ working well.
A consistent comment from owners is the price of this lawn sweeper. People are pleased about the value for money Ohio Steel provides, and that this model has a lot of features that other models in its price range lack.
One person was considering getting a vacuum attachment for his John Deere tractor to remove grass clippings, but chose the Ohio Steel 42″ (22 cubic feet) lawn sweeper instead at a fraction of the price, and with equal results.
At least 2 experienced lawn sweeper owners say that this Ohio Steel model is much better than previous Craftsman models they have owned, and another person says it “puts a Brinly to shame”.
What Owners Dislike
Wheels can get slippery on wet surfaces.
The rotating sweeper brushes do not function well on uneven ground.
A few owners comment on a design factor that could be improved on, namely, the brush height adjustment settings are unclear and confusing.
The emptying mechanism is criticized. One owner installed washers on the middle rod to allow the hopper to tip properly when using the emptying rope.
Some people mention that it can be difficult to dump the hopper when full as it gets too heavy. The heaviness also causes the hopper to drag along the ground, which causes wear and can result in damage (this can be mitigated by attaching skids to the bottom of the hopper).
One owner notes tearing in the fabric that covers the frame after only a few uses. The material of the fabric is described as cheap.
What The Lawn Sweeper Picks Up Well
The Ohio Steel 42″ tow behind lawn sweeper is reported as efficiently picking up the following:
- Grass clippings
- Leaves (including wet ones)
- Sticks
- Pine cones
- Pine straw
- Small nuts
- Hickory nut hulls
Reported Lawn Sweeping Time Savings
One owner says that it used to take his family of 5 many sessions per year to take care of the leaves that fall from a dozen trees on his lawn. But after using the Ohio Steel 42″ lawn sweeper he and his wife alone take care of it all in just 2-3 hours.
Fun Factor
One owner says the Ohio Steel lawn sweeper is really fun to use (and we emphasize the “really”).
Many others say they enjoyed using it and that it has an amazing ability to sweep leaves.
A common pattern with lawn sweepers is that when they are really good at clearing a lawn, they are experienced as a lot of fun by those who use them.
Ease Of Assembly (With Approximate Assembly Time)
Assembly time takes between 1 and 3 hours in the user reviews we read.
The majority of people are satisfied about the ease of assembly.
Some need a little assistance with some parts of the assembly but it largely seems that one person will be able to assemble the product on their own.
The 4-page instruction manual is deemed detailed yet easy to read with the smaller parts printed in their actual size, making them easy to identify. All parts are labelled and numbered properly.
Ease Of Use
Several owners mention how easy the Ohio Steel is to use, with reports of how well it handles the clearing of lawns between 1-3 acres.
Ease Of Storage
Reports on storage are mixed.
Many people say that collapsing the Ohio 42″ lawn sweeper is easy, thanks to a few pins that bring the unit apart and allow it to be stored in tight spaces.
Other people say that it is difficult to store due to its bulky components, which makes it difficult to collapse and take apart.
The majority of owners say that the Ohio Steel 42″ (22 cubic feet) lawn sweeper is easy to store.
Fatigue Reduction
One owner says that taking care of two large yards would give him plenty of back pain when using the rake, whereas the Ohio Steel 42″ lawn sweeper takes care of everything and saves his back.
Another person says that he no longer has to deal with the blisters he used to get from raking.
Build Quality
The vast majority of owners praise the Ohio Steel 42″ lawn sweeper for its solid and sturdy build quality.
One person describes it as “super heavy duty” and another calls it “durable”. Many people comment on the high quality parts and, especially, the sturdy frame.
However, the fabric that covers the frame is deemed cheap by many otherwise satisfied owners, often getting torn after just a few uses. This can be mitigated be reinforcing the base of the hopper with skids.
Another reported design flaw is that the base can sit too low and lack sufficient support against the ground, especially when the load in the hopper gets full and weighs the whole machine down. This problem may be due to people not setting the height of the lawn sweeper properly prior to use.
Packaging Quality
Owners of the Ohio Steel 42″ are generally happy with the packaging it arrives in. One person even describes it as “excellent”.
Small parts are sealed in a plastic bag and all parts are accounted for in the manual.
One person does report a part missing, and another found a damaged part in the package. It is not confirmed whether the damage was due to shipping or a manufacturer’s defect.
However, compared to other lawn sweepers where missing parts and damage is common, the Ohio Steel 42″ has few reports of problems with the packaging.
You can order missing parts from the manufacturer.
Emptying Mechanism
The Ohio Steel 42″ lawn sweeper uses a pull-rope mechanism to empty the contents of the hopper, making it unnecessary to get out of your tractor seat.
Safety Issues
None reported.
Performance Tips From Owners
- Avoid overfilling the debris collection hopper to the max, so that you can dump what you have picked up. The hopper is large and will get heavy if you fill it up
- The material at the base of the hopper can be reinforced by putting skids on the bottom. That prevents wear and tear if the base drags along the lawn surface.
- The Ohio Steel 42″ works best when grass is at a consistent length. For taller grass consider using a lawn dethatcher first.
- Use duct tape to cover any tears in the fabric that covers the frame.
- Keep an eye on the dumping rope so that you do not run over it.
Additional Details
About The Manufacturer
Ohio Steel Industries Inc. was established over 50 years ago and initially focused on structural steel fabrication. Today, the company manufactures a variety of lawn and garden attachments, available at e-commerce sites, retailers and power equipment dealers worldwide.
Ohio Steel focuses on quality and innovation. Their 3 lawn sweeper models are known for robust build quality.
Manufacturing Country
United States of America.
Warranty Coverage
The manufacturer’s warranty is 2 years and requires you to register the product with them.
Return Policy
Amazon provides a 30-day return policy.
Replacement Part Availability And Cost
Parts are available for order directly from the Ohio Steel website.
If your package comes with missing parts, you can request replacements directly from the manufacturer.
Product Manual Download
Not available online.
Can Sweeping Be Turned Off? (Brush Disengagement Feature)
No.
The majority of owners are very satisfied with the Ohio Steel 42″ lawn sweeper (22 cubic feet version).
Among the reasons for satisfaction is the strong sweeping performance, durable build, and ease of use.
Owners say that this lawn sweeper provides excellent value for money.
It is best suited for people with larger lawns and more trees, due to its large collection hopper size.
Where To Buy Online (Securely)
Bring the Ohio Steel 42″ (22 cubic feet) lawn sweeper home through the comfort and convenience of e-commerce, and save money.
Large retailers (such as Lowe’s) rarely sell lawn sweepers in-store, and often exclusively sell them online.
The following reputable e-commerce companies use high standards of encryption to protect your credit card and private information when you order:
Store | Availability | Free Shipping? | Return Policy | Price + Shipping (Pre-Tax) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sears | Check Stock | No | 30 days (details) |
$262.93 + free shipping Best Price |
|
Amazon | Check Stock | No | 30 days (details) |
$279.99 + $52.25 shipping | |
Northern Tool & Equipment | Check Stock | No | 45 days (details) |
$279.99 + $52.49 shipping | |
Mowers Direct | Check Stock | Yes | 30 days (details) |
$329.99 + free shipping |
Last Updated: September 1, 2015