a good sweeper will get teh loose stuff. if the dead grass is brittle it will get some of it as well. but you likely will want a dethatcher attachment to help it along.

This is the one I have that many folks here recommended from Sears, and I have really used it. It has an 8-1 ratio which means it really spins the brushes, and will pick up just about everything depending on how low you set it...including a great deal of those dam gumballs. The price is a bit high, but you will be glad you did. I hang the hamper on the wall and slide the sweeper against the wall...no space issue for me.

Here is a link that might be useful: link

I have a disability and walk with a crutch so raking even my .25 acre lot isn't something I'm up to. This year I've already taken a broom to some areas to loosen up dirt/sand accumulated from snow piles and snow more matted or snow mold infected areas to get the grass exposed and receiving some air flow.

Last year I bought a Brinley Lawn Sweeper and Brinley Dethatcher. This year because my grass isn't as matted as it was last year (had a ton of snow mold last year), I plan on going over the lawn with the sweeper on a fairly low setting at least once, maybe twice. Then if I feel I need it, use the dethatcher on a high enough setting to just get the dead grass but not really "dethatch" and then go around with the sweeper again to pick everything up.

Right now I'm just waiting for snow in a few shady areas to melt and it's driving me nuts because its' taking its sweet time! :)

Thanks for your suggestions!