Wouldn’t it be ideal if every single one of our outdoor spaces was on flat terrain that didn’t require awkward jaunts up and down hills and slopes? Unfortunately, that simply isn’t the case, and apart from those lucky few, many gardens and outdoor areas feature at least some sort of hill.
But that shouldn’t mean that we can’t get outside and complete the tasks that we need to – with an extraordinary amount of wheelbarrows for hills now available online, it has never been easier to navigate even the steepest and most tricky ground meaning that you are free to get the job done.
In this article, we have put together some of the best wheelbarrows for hills that offer reliability, sturdiness, and strength, all you need to do is take your pick of the bunch.
- Easy to Handle - Greenworks Cordless Garden Cart
Table of Contents
What Is Important In A Wheelbarrow For Hills?
With so many types of wheelbarrow available and such a huge variety of features, it can become like trying to find a needle in a haystack especially when you are looking for something specific. However, the good news is that, when looking to find a good wheelbarrow for using on sloped or hilly terrain, there are certain features to keep an eye out for.
Whilst most traditional styles of wheelbarrow can be used on a hill, it is better to opt for a wheelbarrow that boasts the following features:
Plastic vs Steel vs Poly Wheelbarrow
Plastic wheelbarrows are preferable on the hilly ground thanks to their lightweight design. Steel wheelbarrows are, without a doubt much more durable but they are also heavy and can add a lot of unnecessary weight to a load. Poly wheelbarrows - otherwise known as plastic, are a lot lighter by nature and this means that you won’t have to struggle as much when things are unsteady underfoot.
Good handle grip
Most modern wheelbarrows come with a good handle grip but there are some out there that fail to meet this standard. These should be avoided at all costs when looking for a wheelbarrow for hills. As you manoeuver your way up and down the slope, you are going to need a tight and comfortable grip on the wheelbarrow to avoid losing control and ultimately, spilling your load.
Number of wheels
Wheelbarrows once came with a single wheel, but as time has gone on, the design has evolved and we are now able to get wheelbarrows with anywhere between one and four wheels. Depending on the type of hill you are navigating you could choose any of these designs.
For example, a one-wheeled wheelbarrow would be ideally suited for rough terrain that requires something that is easy to control. In contrast, a hill with a flat surface would benefit more from a four-wheeled piece of equipment. What’s more, your strength will depend on the number of wheels you choose, those who are less able to control heavier loads would be more able to manage a single wheel, however, if your strength is compromised, four wheels will provide you with more stability.
Furthermore, provided the ground is stable enough, a four-wheeler can be pulled up a hill rather than pushed which significantly lessens the strength you will need to get it moving. In addition to this, you should be on the lookout for wheels that have a well-lubricated ball bearing for greater control and a smoother ride.
Heavy duty
You will need a wheelbarrow that is heavy-duty when using it frequently on a hill since it will likely be put under more strain than that of a wheelbarrow used by a hobby gardener planting bedding plants around the lawn. Still, keep in mind the overall weight of the wheelbarrow to avoid too heavy loads.
Electric wheelbarrow
You may also consider investing in an electric wheelbarrow which essentially does all the hard work for you. If you are constantly working on sloped ground, repeated trips with a heavy load can cause strain and injury - putting you out of action and leaving those important jobs unfinished.
A motorised wheelbarrow takes all of the strain out of working on a hill and whilst they are a little pricier than a manual wheelbarrow, they are certainly worth parting with the cash to protect your physical wellbeing.
The Best Wheelbarrows For Hills
Now that we know what to look for in a good wheelbarrow for use in a hilly garden or a sloped workplace, let’s take a look at some of the best wheelbarrows that meet, and exceed the criteria for a good hill wheelbarrow.
Oypla Heavy Duty Wheelbarrow
When you are working on slopes, the last thing you need is to have to take repeated and unnecessary trips to load and unload your wheelbarrow – quite simply this is exhausting work and can result in reduced productivity.
That is why the Oypla makes an excellent hillside companion due to its 70-litre tub that can take loads of up to 150kg when we say it’s heavy-duty, we aren’t exaggerating!
Not only will your trips up and down the hill be reduced by using a larger capacity wheelbarrow like this one but you will also benefit from the two-wheeled design, this gives you much greater stability when manoeuvering around the hill which will prevent you from losing control of the wheelbarrow.
The frame is made from durable steel which adds to the durability and heavy-duty nature of this piece of equipment but you will notice that the tub is made from plastic, meaning that there will be very little additional weight. In fact, when empty, the Oypla weighs in at a minuscule 11kg – that’ll make light work of even the toughest slope!
If all of that wasn’t enough to get you excited, how about the super-soft grip handle that makes keeping control of the wheelbarrow easy and smooth?
New DJM Heavy-Duty Wheelbarrow
If you are looking for something sturdy, lightweight and heavy-duty then you won’t go far wrong with the DJM wheelbarrow which is difficult to match in terms of getting all three of these aspects in one product.
Now, we did mention that poly wheelbarrows were preferable for hilly ground and whilst that is a good rule of thumb – it’s no secret that steel wheelbarrows pack far more of a punch where durability is concerned so when you find one as lightweight as this, it’d be criminal not to go for it! Weighing in just 15kg when fully unloaded, yet having the capability to transport up to 180kg in its 90-litre tub, you’re looking at something that will stand the test of time.
The single tyre not only greatly improves how much control you have over the wheelbarrow but also has been designed to prevent punctures. The beauty of this is that, no matter how rough or uneven the ground, this wheelbarrow can handle it.
Unlike a pneumatic tyre, which could become punctured, rendering the wheelbarrow useless – at least until a new tyre is fitted, the DJM’s puncture-proof tyre can roll over nails, broken glass and other sharp debris without damage. Ideal for more demanding projects.
The wheelbarrow comes with some nice little handle grips and let’s face it – the snazzy orange flashes don’t hurt either!
BIRCHTREE New Heavy-Duty Garden Dump Truck
When you need a wheelbarrow that is going to be easy to get up and down a hill but still provide you with the reliability and strength that you need, the Birchtree is an excellent option. Sitting on four pneumatic tyres, this one is perfect for those smooth hills which, no matter how steep, the Birchtree will navigate with ease.
Having a four-wheeled design means that you will never lose control of the wheelbarrow and what’s more, it can be pulled uphill as opposed to being pushed which can be difficult for those who have limited mobility or issues with strength. The long handle which features superior grip only serves to make moving uphill even easier, so this could be the perfect solution for those in the older generation who need something that is easier to manage.
However, this isn’t to say that the Birchtree dump truck isn’t just as suited to the professional gardener or builder who needs something that can handle a decent load. This one comes with a 75-litre tray that can withstand weights up to 150kg, making it perfect for both professional and hobby use. Even better, with an unloaded weight of 15kg, moving this around won’t be a burden.
Gone are the days of having to manually tip the wheelbarrow to empty a load – the Birchtree features a handy tipping mechanism to make unloading a dream.
But what really sets this wheelbarrow apart is that the handle can be easily tethered to another vehicle for tackling those hills that you simply do not want to attempt on foot.
TAHA Wheelbarrow
For a wheelbarrow with a steel tub, it is amazing how lightweight the TAHA is, so if you have been searching for something that isn’t going to break your back – or the bank, this is a perfectly viable option. As one of the least expensive items on this list, you’ll be surprised at what you can get for your money!
As far as wheelbarrows for hills are concerned, being lightweight isn’t the only feature that you need to be looking for and the TAHA certainly doesn’t disappoint. Take, for example, the impressive 100-litre tub which can manage loads as heavy as 180kg – heavy-duty?
We think so! Of course, this will dramatically decrease the number of trips you have to take to unload, especially if you are moving a constant flow of items – removing bricks and rubble, transporting soil or relocating a lot of plants, the TAHA can handle the pace.
The wheelbarrow sits on a sturdy single pneumatic tyre which is perfect for navigating uneven and sloped ground giving the user greater control and a smoother journey. What’s more, the sturdy steel frame will add to the stability whilst moving to give you the confidence that you won’t be losing your load.
The TAHA’s impressive range of features make it ideal for use around the home and garden but it is also advertised as being suitable for moderate building use, demonstrating it’s versatility.
Greenworks Cordless Garden Cart
The only electric wheelbarrow on our list, but arguably one of the most reasonably priced in the motorised category, the Greenworks cordless garden cart boasts a wealth of features that make it perfect for both the hobby gardener and someone working on a more professional level.
First of all, we cannot ignore how easy this motorised cart is to use. All too often, we see modern technology coming with extensive instructions that would cause even the most tech-savvy brains to spin – but that isn’t true with this electronic device.
The cart features easy-start controls and a simple tipping function that makes unloading super-simple and headache-free. If you’ve never used an electric wheelbarrow before, this is a great place to start thanks to its ease of use.
But of course, being easy to operate is one thing, without strength and durability, it would be useless – fortunately, then, the Greenworks cart has the capacity to transport loads up to 100kg and features a slimline design meaning that even if you need to get through narrow space, it won’t let you down.
It’s somewhat heavier than the other wheelbarrows on this list but that isn’t an issue thanks to it being motorised – you won’t need to take any of the weight. What’s more, the cart comes with variable speed settings so you have the freedom to get moving or take a gentle cruise down the hill.
Summary
Working outdoors is usually a pleasure but when it comes to hilly and sloped ground, things can become a little more challenging. That being said, equipping yourself with the right tools can make all the difference and that is where this great selection of wheelbarrows for hills comes in.
When shopping for a good wheelbarrow to use on hilly terrain, it is important to look at certain features – how many wheels does it have? Is it made of steel or plastic? Is it motorised? Is it lightweight?
Answering these questions will allow you to determine whether the wheelbarrow is fit for purpose. But we have taken a lot of the stress out of making your selection with this list of superior products that make working on hills nothing short of a dream!
