About the SportSweeper™
What is the SportSweeper™?
The SportSweeper™ is a tow-behind friction sweeper purpose-built for synthetic turf fields, athletic tracks, and sports courts. It uses a passive mat system — no motor, no brushes, no belts — to disturb and capture debris while preserving infill. One person can sweep a full football field in as little as 6 minutes with the right configuration.
Who makes the SportSweeper™?
The SportSweeper™ is made by The F.O.D. Control Corporation in Garland, Texas — the same company that has built friction sweeping technology for airports and military bases since 1983. The SportSweeper™ applies that same proven technology to synthetic turf maintenance.
How does friction sweeping work?
The mat is towed flat across the turf surface at 5–10 mph. Nylon fibres disturb and lift debris from between turf blades while raised scoop rows capture and trap it. A fine sieve design lets crumb rubber and sand infill filter back into the turf — so you capture debris without losing infill. No suction, no mechanical action.
Will it damage my turf fibers?
No. The mat glides flat and flush against the surface with no aggressive mechanical action. It actually helps straighten turf fibers as it passes, which can improve the playing surface over time. The SportSweeper™ is safe for all synthetic turf types — infill, non-infill, and hybrid systems.
Will it scatter my infill?
No. The fine sieve capture zones are specifically designed to trap debris while allowing crumb rubber, sand, and other infill materials to filter back into the turf. Your infill stays where it belongs.
Products & Configurations
Which model should I buy?
It depends on your primary surface size and maintenance frequency:
- Single 6ft ($3,200) — Best for courts, tracks, smaller turf surfaces, or facilities starting out. 72″ sweep width covers a football field in ~15 minutes.
- Single 8ft ($3,950) — Most Popular — The right choice for full-size football, soccer, or lacrosse fields. 96″ sweep width covers a football field in ~12 minutes. The best value for most facilities.
- Duplex 12ft ($6,650) — Two 6ft mats on a single tow frame. Covers a football field in ~8 minutes. Splits into 2 independent Singles for flexibility.
- Duplex 16ft ($8,250) — Maximum coverage. Two 8ft mats cover a football field in ~6 minutes. Splits into 2 independent Singles.
- MagSweeper™ 6ft Combo ($4,800) — Adds rare earth magnetic sweeping in front of the friction mat in one pass. Best for surfaces with metal debris risk (staples, fasteners, small hardware).
- MagSweeper™ 8ft Combo ($5,650) — Widest magnetic + friction combo system.
Not sure? Request a quote and we’ll recommend the right configuration for your specific surfaces.
What’s the difference between the Standard SportSweeper™ and the MagSweeper™ Combo?
The Standard SportSweeper™ uses friction capture only — nylon fibres and scoops that grab general debris (tape, seeds, bottle caps, small objects). The MagSweeper™ Combo adds a wheeled rare earth magnetic sweeper that leads the friction mat in a single pass. The magnet captures metal debris (screws, staples, bolt fragments, ferrous objects) that friction alone might miss. If your facility ever hosts construction, events with metal hardware, or has a history of metal debris, the MagSweeper™ Combo is worth the upgrade.
Can I upgrade from a Single to a Duplex later?
Yes. Single 6ft units can be upgraded to a Duplex 12ft, and Single 8ft units can be upgraded to a Duplex 16ft by adding a second mat and crossbar. Contact us to discuss upgrade pricing.
What does the Duplex “splits into 2 independent Singles” mean?
Duplex units connect two mats with a central crossbar on a single hitch point. When you need flexibility — for example, to cover two separate fields simultaneously, or to use a smaller vehicle — the mats detach and each operates as a standalone Single unit with its own tow frame. You get Duplex efficiency and Single flexibility in the same purchase.
Setup & Operation
Can one person really set it up and operate it?
Yes. The SportSweeper™ is lightweight and designed for solo operation. Pull it from the carry case, unroll it flat, connect it to your vehicle’s receiver hitch — about 30 seconds. One person can unroll, hitch, sweep an entire field, empty debris, and store the unit in under 30 minutes total.
What vehicles can tow it?
Any vehicle with a standard 2″ receiver hitch — golf carts, UTVs (Gators, Rangers), garden tractors, and standard trucks all work. Operating speed is 5–10 mph. The SportSweeper™ is completely silent when paired with an electric vehicle, making it suitable for use during events, practices, or school hours without disruption.
How fast does it sweep?
The recommended towing speed is 5–10 mph. A Single 8ft unit covers a standard football field in approximately 12 minutes. A Duplex 16ft covers the same field in approximately 6 minutes. Driving in parallel passes with 10–20% overlap gives the best coverage.
Does it work wet?
Yes. The SportSweeper™ performs in wet and dry conditions equally. Rain, morning dew, post-irrigation — the capture system is not affected by moisture. Many facilities sweep first thing in the morning before practices begin.
How do I empty it?
Unhitch from your vehicle, carry or drag the mat to a disposal area, and shake it out. Debris falls away from the capture zones. On dustier surfaces, a garden hose works well for a more thorough clean. Roll it back into the carry case and it’s ready for next use.
Surfaces & Compatibility
What surfaces does the SportSweeper™ work on?
The SportSweeper™ is purpose-built for:
- Synthetic turf fields (infill and non-infill / zero-infill systems)
- Athletic tracks (rubberized and polyurethane surfaces)
- Synthetic courts (tennis, pickleball, multi-use)
- Turf infields (baseball, softball)
- Indoor turf arenas and fieldhouses
It is not designed for natural grass fields.
Does it work on zero-infill turf?
Yes. On zero-infill (non-infill) systems, the mat captures all debris while gliding safely across the fibers with no risk of disturbing an infill layer that isn’t there. Because there’s no infill to manage, the SportSweeper™ is even simpler to operate on these surfaces.
Maintenance & Durability
How much maintenance does the SportSweeper™ require?
Essentially none. There are no motors, brushes, belts, bearings, or mechanical parts to service. After sweeping, shake out debris and roll it up. Hose it down occasionally. That’s it. The industrial-grade nylon mat and marine-quality hardware are designed for years of use with no routine maintenance schedule.
How long does it last?
The SportSweeper™ comes with a 5-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. In practice, these mats regularly outlast the warranty period under normal use. The absence of mechanical components means there’s very little that can wear out or break down.
Ordering, Shipping & Warranty
How much does it cost?
Prices range from $3,200 for the Single 6ft to $8,250 for the Duplex 16ft. The MagSweeper™ Combos are $4,800 (6ft) and $5,650 (8ft). All prices include free shipping to the contiguous United States. No distributor markups — every unit ships factory-direct from Garland, Texas.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes — free shipping to the contiguous United States on all orders. For Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, or international destinations, contact us for a shipping estimate.
Do you work with purchase orders?
Yes. We work with school districts, universities, municipalities, government agencies, and other qualifying organizations on purchase orders. Use our quote builder to generate a formal quote document you can attach to your PO request, or contact us directly to discuss terms.
Can I try it before buying?
Yes — contact us to discuss a free trial arrangement. Every purchase also includes our 100% satisfaction guarantee: if you’re not satisfied within 30 days of delivery, we’ll work with you to make it right.
What does the warranty cover?
All SportSweeper™ products include a 5-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. The warranty covers the original purchaser. To make a warranty claim, contact us at info@sportsweeper.com with your order number and a description of the issue.
Still have a question? Contact us — we’re happy to help you find the right solution for your facility.