Sweepers For Sale

About Sweepers

Sweepers, or more specifically, nut sweepers, earn their keep by sweeping nuts from underneath trees. The actual “brushes” that do the sweeping can be either horizontal or vertical depending on the configuration, but they share the same goal of funneling nuts into the main sweeper head which in turn pushes them into orderly rows, making it easier for a nut harvester to collect them. Nut sweepers are typically outfitted with blowers, which are designed to push hard-to-reach nuts into an empty row for the sweeper to get on a subsequent pass. Manufacturers offer a variety of blower styles, some of which come with adjustable spouts or nozzles at the end of the chute. This allows you to fine-tune the airflow to clear away nuts that are on flat ground as well as on top of berms.

Key Features

While they perform the same basic tasks, you’ll find quite a few differences among the various sweeper models on the market, including height, width, fuel capacity, and more. They typically come with engines ranging from around 60 to 80 horsepower from manufacturers like John Deere, Cummins, and Kubota. Most of these engines are Tier 4 Final-certified to meet emissions standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Fuel tank capacities range from around 20 gallons up to 70 gallons and hydraulic oil capacities will range from 20 to 55 gallons. Sweeping widths will vary from machine to machine, but usually fall between 6 to 24 feet. Height will vary, typically between 48 and 58 inches, which is crucial to note to prevent damaging trees with the top of the cab. Height is also an important consideration during transport, as some models, like the Flory V62 Series have sweepers and blowers on either side that fold up to a total height of 9.5 feet. Most sweepers have top speeds of between 10 to 18 miles per hour, with those on the higher end having an easier time navigating roadways from one orchard to the next. Another important factor is the cab, because some sweepers have open-air cabs where the operator will be subjected to the elements, and others have enclosed cabs with climate controls so you can work in comfort all year round. Other standard or optional features include LED lights for working in low-light conditions, backup cameras for improved worker safety, and more.

Popular Models

Popular sweeper manufacturers include Exact, Flory, GK Machine, and Weiss McNair. Exact’s E-1155 Sweeper, for example, is powered by a Tier 4 Final John Deere PowerTech 4.5-liter engine and has a fuel capacity of 30 gallons, hydraulic oil capacity of 43 gallons, and a top speed of 18 mph. It has a height of 56 inches and comes standard with an air-conditioned cab. Optional features include a berm spout, double-line drip spout, and optional right-side closing arm. Another example is the Flory 34 Series Pecan Sweeper, which features a John Deere 4.5-liter engine that produces 74 horsepower and is Tier 4 Final-certified without the use of diesel exhaust fluid. It has a fuel capacity of 34 gallons, hydraulic oil capacity of 30 gallons, and a top speed of 14 miles per hour. The fully enclosed cab gives this sweeper a height of 58 inches and features air conditioning and half-inch-thick shatter-resistant windows. Flory also offers an optional four-wheel-drive kit for the 34 Series, which gives the sweeper a performance edge on sandy or hilly terrain.