Sticks and walnut yard clean up

[Airic]

What is the best implement for yard clean up of sticks and walnuts on a lawn? Every year I have a huge amount of sticks and walnuts to clean up. I've not yet been hit by a walnut and surprised I've not, I bet it would hurt. I get so many of these that my mower will literally start rolling down hill like its sitting on hundreds of ball bearings.

Does a landscape rake work for this without tearing up the grass? At times I think I need a golf ball retriever like out on the driving ranges. I'm just looking for something that can get them into a centralize pile for pick up, not necessarily a bag catcher.

 

[lhfarm]

What is the best implement for yard clean up of sticks and walnuts on a lawn? Every year I have a huge amount of sticks and walnuts to clean up. I've not yet been hit by a walnut and surprised I've not, I bet it would hurt. I get so many of these that my mower will literally start rolling down hill like its sitting on hundreds of ball bearings.

Does a landscape rake work for this without tearing up the grass? At times I think I need a golf ball retriever like out on the driving ranges. I'm just looking for something that can get them into a centralize pile for pick up, not necessarily a bag catcher.

Funny, I looked out my window last weekend and saw all those walnuts that the critters haven't cleared for me. It reminded me of a thread I started a couple of years ago - http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/67170-oh-nuts-i-need-walnut.html. The link in the last note was to here.
Still doing it by hand. Maybe someone will have a cheaper solution.

 

[Tig]

There was a guy last fall who had a similar problem with apples. We tried real hard to get him to take a video of a snowblower doing the job. Alas, he opted for a more sane solution. I think it was a landscape rake but I could be wrong. I tried to find the thread but couldn't.
Not sure how well it would work for walnuts, but if you need to work on your golf swing, I have an idea.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Something like this pine straw rake might work, but I don't know if the tines are close enough together for walnuts..

Leinbach Machinery Catalog

 

[mdc2544]

haven't used it but this rake from Northern has intrigued me:

Swisher Acreage Rake — 60in., Model# ACR-500 | Lawn Sweepers, Dethatchers + Rakes | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Leon Wittner]

When you get them into a pile fill a box and send them to us, we will help dispose of them!!!

 

[MJPetersen]

I had a funny vision as I looked at the options suggested. Can you imagine the pine straw rake gathering up a pile of walnuts and the tines start hanging on the grass or whatever and start "popping" back into position! Walnut Machine gun!! Better wear a hard hat and a protecting backshield.

Mike

 

[amigauser]

I have a similar problem with sticks, acorns, hickory nuts and pine cones of all sizes

A few different sites have recommended using a lawn sweeper such as this cheap Crapsman one.
Craftsman 42 in. High Speed Sweeper - Model 24222 at Sears.com

One gentleman indicated he even picks up fallen grapefruit with his. If it works on fruit it should work on nuts. I am not sure about sticks though.
I would pull it behind my lawn tractor but I guess you could pull it with anything, even an ATV.

 

[davitk]

I live in walnut heaven (or **** ), my neighbor bought one of those, tried it for a season and gave up. Squirrels is the answer. Lotsa squirrels.

 

[bx23barry]

Call the senior gleners. they'll pick the walnuts for ya

 

[Rara Avis]

Catalog Home

 

[offcamber]

My neighbor has an old farm implement (I don't know exactly what its called) that he uses to rake the yard and gravel back onto the driveway in the spring. It ataches to the 3PH and has a chain set up with tines attached that rotate perpendicular to the rear of the tractor...basicaly it rakes every thing to one side....it works remarkabley well...Maybe someone knows what I am talking about.

 

[dvan1966]

I just wait till spring and let the lawn roller smash them into the ground. For some reason the dogs will sniff them out after a while, paw them up crack them open and eat them.

 

[toddler]

Catalog Home

Thanks for posting the link. Those are pricey, but very cool looking.

Todd

 

[yankeerider]

My neighbor has an old farm implement (I don't know exactly what its called) that he uses to rake the yard and gravel back onto the driveway in the spring. It ataches to the 3PH and has a chain set up with tines attached that rotate perpendicular to the rear of the tractor...basicaly it rakes every thing to one side....it works remarkabley well...Maybe someone knows what I am talking about.

Sounds like a side delivery rake-used for windrowing hay prior to baling.

 

[offcamber]

Sounds like a side delivery rake-used for windrowing hay prior to baling.

That sounds right but all the pictures I have found of a side delivery rake don't look like what he has and its much smaller. Its maybe 7 feet wide. When the snow melts enough so I can actually see it I'll try and get a picture...