A turf sweeper includes a hopper mounted on a frame. A debris loading duct mounted on the frame includes an intake opening supported in closely spaced relation above the ground and a discharge opening at a discharge end communicating with a hopper inlet. A broom is rotatably mounted within an intake section of the debris loading duct proximate and across the intake opening. A paddle rotor, having a plurality of paddles outwardly projecting paddles is rotatably mounted within and across a transfer section of the debris loading duct with a path of rotation of tips of the paddles extending in closely spaced relation to a path of rotation of tips of the pick-up members of the pick-up head. A return air duct flow connects a return air outlet to the hopper with a return air opening through the transfer section of the debris loading duct.
