Usage: Xpo Tool 51701–51703 Lawn Sweeper User Manual

Overview

The 51701–51703 Lawn Sweeper is a tow-behind attachment for lawn tractors and similar towing vehicles. Its rotating brush assembly gathers leaves, small branches, and other suitable lawn debris into a rear hopper bag, helping clear large grass areas more efficiently than hand raking.

The three models share the same general operating concept but differ in sweeping width, hopper capacity, wheel size, dimensions, and weight. Select the version that matches the towing vehicle, available storage space, and area to be maintained.

Specifications

• Models: 51701, 51702, and 51703
• Maximum operating speed: 9 km/h (6 mph)
• 51701 dimensions: 172.5 × 103 × 103.5 cm
• 51702 dimensions: 173 × 113 × 58.5 cm
• 51703 dimensions: 175 × 125 × 58.5 cm
• 51701 weight: 31.5 kg
• 51702 weight: 35 kg
• 51703 weight: 43 kg
• 51701 running wheels: 260 × 44 mm
• 51702 running wheels: 260 × 60 mm
• 51703 running wheels: 275 × 60 mm
• 51701 sweeping width: 96 cm
• 51702 sweeping width: 105 cm
• 51703 sweeping width: 120 cm
• 51701 hopper capacity: 340 L
• 51702 hopper capacity: 365 L
• 51703 hopper capacity: 415 L

Detailed Description

The lawn sweeper uses a wheeled sweeper housing with internal brush components driven by wheel movement. As the towing vehicle moves forward, the brushes collect lawn debris and direct it into the hopper bag behind the housing.

The main assembly includes right- and left-hand hitch tubes, straight and angled hitch brackets, a hitch pin, spacers, a connecting rod, and a height adjustment mechanism. The hitch arrangement is designed to connect the sweeper to a tractor or compatible towing vehicle.

A height adjustment handle and height adjustment strap allow the brush position to be set for the working surface. The hopper is supported by upper and lower side tubes, rear hopper tubes, a bag frame strap, hopper support rods, and bag arm tubes. A rope attached to the hopper frame allows the operator to empty the collector from the towing vehicle.

Right-hand and left-hand parts are identified from the operator’s position while seated on the tractor. The supplied fasteners include M6, M8, and M10 bolts, nylon lock nuts, clevis pins, R pins, washers, spacers, and plastic plugs.

Safety

• Read the towing vehicle instructions and this lawn sweeper guide before assembly or operation. Make sure every operator understands the controls and attachment procedure.
• Children must not operate the sweeper, and no person may ride on the attachment.
• Never attach the hopper rope to your body or clothing, and do not hold it while towing. Secure or route the rope so it remains away from wheels and rotating parts.
• Keep the operating speed at or below 9 km/h (6 mph). Reduce speed further on rough ground, near ditches, and on hills.
• The sweeper is intended for lawn areas, not streets or highways. Watch for traffic whenever working near a roadway.
• Use the hopper for leaves, small branches, and comparable lawn debris. Do not use it for heavy or sharp objects such as stones or steel items.
• Do not exceed the hopper’s capacity. A full attachment can affect towing stability, braking performance, and control.
• Before filling the collector fully, confirm that the towing vehicle can safely pull and stop with the loaded sweeper attached.
• Avoid steep slopes and operate cautiously on uneven terrain.
• Stop after striking an object. Inspect both the vehicle and sweeper, and repair damage before continuing.
• Keep the hopper and collected material away from fire because both can burn.
• Do not use the sweeper during unsuitable weather, including strong winds or other conditions that could reduce control.
• Replace a worn or damaged hopper before further use.

Setup and Assembly

Before Assembly

Remove the hardware pack and all loose components from the carton. Compare the contents with the parts and fastener list before beginning. Do not proceed if an essential component is missing or damaged.

Assemble the Sweeper Frame

1. Attach the angle bracket to the sweeper housing with an M8 × 16 bolt and an M8 nylon lock nut. Position the bracket straight and in the orientation shown by the assembly design, then tighten it.
2. Attach the right-hand hitch tube to the housing with an M6 × 40 bolt and M6 lock nut. Leave this connection loose temporarily.
3. Attach the left-hand hitch tube in the same way, also leaving the connection loose.
4. Join the hitch tubes with two M8 × 65 bolts and M8 lock nuts. Do not tighten these fasteners yet.
5. Measure the towing vehicle’s hitch ground clearance. Use the hitch bracket arrangement for 279–330 mm clearance when applicable, or the arrangement for 203–279 mm clearance when applicable.
6. Attach the hitch brackets to the hitch tubes using two M8 × 50 bolts and M8 lock nuts. The bolts should straddle the front hitch-tube bolt.
7. Tighten the four bolts connecting the hitch tubes to the sweeper housing. Then tighten the two bolts joining the hitch tubes, followed by the two hitch-bracket bolts.
8. Install the hitch pin, spacers, and 3 mm R pin in the hitch brackets.

Install the Height Adjustment

1. Attach the height adjustment handle to the height adjustment tube with two M8 × 40 bolts and M8 lock nuts. Leave the nuts loose until the handle is positioned.
2. Pass an M8 × 20 bolt through the angle bracket and install the spacer bushing, height adjustment strap, 8 mm flat washer, and M8 lock nut in that order. Tighten the assembly.
3. Position the handle from side to side so the external-tooth washer fits between the handle and height adjustment strap.
4. Tighten the handle fasteners. Confirm that the handle moves and locks the height adjustment correctly before towing.
5. Attach the connecting rod to the sweeper housing with two M6 × 12 bolts and M6 lock nuts.

Assemble the Hopper Bag

1. Turn one rear hopper tube so its central brace holes face downward. Slide it through the two inner loops along the upper rear seam inside the hopper bag.
2. Insert the two upper hopper side tubes through the side flaps sewn into the bag.
3. Join the ends of the first rear tube to the upper side tubes and fit the plastic plugs.
4. Turn the second rear hopper tube so its central brace holes face upward. Join it to the lower hopper side tubes and secure the connections with plastic plugs.
5. Place the assembled lower tubes into the bottom of the hopper bag.
6. Connect each lower side tube to the inside of its upper side tube using a 9.5 × 25 mm clevis pin and a 3 mm R pin.
7. Slide the bag frame strap through the sewn sleeve along the front edge of the bag bottom.
8. Attach the strap to the lower side tubes with two 6 × 37 mm clevis pins and two 2 mm R pins.
9. Snap the bag flaps around the lower side tubes on both sides.
10. Tip the hopper onto its back. Install the two support rods by placing their ends into the upper and lower rear hopper tubes. Bend each rod only enough to fit its holes; excessive bending can permanently reduce its supporting tension.
11. Locate the lower hole in each upper hopper side tube through the sewn flap. Align the flap holes with the tube holes.
12. Insert an 8 × 59.5 mm clevis pin through each lower hole. Install a bag arm tube on each pin and secure it with a 3 mm R pin.
13. Secure the rope to the top center of the hopper frame.
14. Slide the bag arm tubes into the ends of the sweeper hitch tubes. Secure them with 6 × 37 mm clevis pins and 2 mm R pins.

Operation

Connect the assembled sweeper to the towing vehicle with the hitch pin and retaining pin. Before moving, check that the hitch connection, hopper arm connections, height adjustment, and all visible fasteners are secure.

Set the brush height for the lawn surface. Begin at low speed and confirm that the brushes rotate freely and collect material without excessive contact with the ground. Adjust the height if the sweeper drags, skips, or leaves debris behind.

Travel in controlled passes across the lawn. Avoid sudden turns, steep slopes, deep depressions, and areas containing unsuitable debris. Keep the speed below the 9 km/h (6 mph) maximum.

When the hopper is full, stop the towing vehicle in a safe location. Use the attached rope to release or empty the hopper without reaching toward moving components. Do not continue operating with an overloaded collector.

Cleaning and Maintenance

• Lubricate the axle before every use.
• Inspect the hopper bag, frame tubes, support rods, hitch, wheels, brush shaft, and fasteners before operation.
• Remove collected debris after each use and always empty the hopper before storage. Dry lawn material left in the bag may create a fire hazard through spontaneous heating.
• Replace the hopper if its fabric or supporting structure becomes worn or damaged.
• After contacting an object, inspect the sweeper for bent tubes, damaged brush components, loose fasteners, or other faults before using it again.
• Store the attachment away from fire and in conditions that protect the hopper and metal parts from unnecessary damage.

Troubleshooting

The Sweeper Leaves Debris Behind

• Check that the brush height is correctly adjusted for the lawn surface.
• Reduce speed if debris is being missed during fast passes.
• Inspect the brush assembly for blockage or damage.
• Confirm that the wheels and brush shaft rotate freely.

The Sweeper Drags or Does Not Roll Smoothly

• Raise the brush setting if the brushes are pressing too heavily into the ground.
• Inspect the wheels, axle, and brush shaft for trapped debris.
• Lubricate the axle before operation.
• Check the hitch alignment and confirm that the attachment is not being pulled at an unsuitable angle.

The Hopper Does Not Hold Its Shape

• Check that the upper and lower side tubes are joined with the correct clevis pins and R pins.
• Verify that the bag frame strap is installed through its sleeve and secured to both lower side tubes.
• Inspect the support rods for incorrect installation or excessive bending.
• Replace a worn or damaged hopper before use.

The Sweeper Feels Unstable

• Empty the hopper if it is overloaded.
• Reduce speed on rough ground, slopes, and near ditches.
• Confirm that the towing vehicle is suitable for the loaded attachment.
• Avoid steep slopes and inspect the hitch connection for looseness or damage.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Available in three sweeping widths from 96 to 120 cm.
• Large hopper capacities from 340 to 415 L reduce emptying frequency.
• Height adjustment helps adapt brush contact to different lawn surfaces.
• Rope-operated hopper emptying lets the operator release collected material from the towing position.
• Designed for collecting common lawn debris such as leaves and small branches.

Cons

• The attachment can affect towing vehicle braking, stability, and handling when loaded.
• It is not suitable for heavy or sharp waste, streets, highways, or steep slopes.
• Assembly requires several frame tubes, pins, brackets, and fasteners to be installed in the correct order.
• The hopper must be emptied before storage and the axle must be lubricated before each use.

The 51701–51703 Lawn Sweeper is best suited to users who need a tow-behind lawn debris collector for routine property maintenance. Correct hitch setup, conservative driving, proper brush adjustment, and regular inspection are essential for safe and effective operation.