There’s no denying the benefits of composting: it’s a great use of kitchen scraps and lawn clippings, saves you some money on fertilizer, and, perhaps more importantly, reduces your carbon footprint.
But many of us ask ourselves if composting is worth the trouble. Caring for the lawn can be a fun, pacifying morning activity, but carrying the compost from the bin to the garden strains the shoulders and hurts the back.
However, with the right wheelbarrow, you won’t need to struggle – moving compost will become the painless activity it should be.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of bogus wheelbarrows in the market that aren’t worth the money at all.
But don’t fret!
In this post, I’ll not only discuss how you can find the right wheelbarrow for compost but also list the best wheelbarrows available for moving compost.
- Best Overall - Draper Garden Tipper Cart
- Best for Heavy Load - Marko Tools Colorado 2 Wheel Wheelbarrow
- Best for Smaller Compost Bin - Arboria Wheelbarrow
Table of Contents
What To Look For In A Wheelbarrow For Moving Compost
There’s no such thing as the ultimate wheelbarrow, and it all comes down to preferences. That being said, this buying guide will help you find a wheelbarrow for compost that’s perfect for your needs.
Tray Type
Plastic and metal trays are the most common types of trays you’ll find in wheelbarrows.
While canvas trays also exist, those cannot hold much weight, so you must steer clear of them.
Wheelbarrows with plastic trays tend to be lighter and don’t require much maintenance. However, plastic trays are generally weaker than metal trays and may crack if you put too much compost in them.
On the other hand, while metal trays are sturdier, they require more maintenance, since scratches will lead to rusting and weaken the wheelbarrow.
If you know you won’t be carrying hefty loads of compost, getting a wheelbarrow with a plastic tray is the way to go. But if you need a heavy-duty wheelbarrow that can handle heavy loads of compost, buy a wheelbarrow with a metal tray.
Size
The standard wheelbarrow can hold roughly three cubic feet (or 80 litres) of compost, but there are larger wheelbarrows that will enable you to carry more at a time.
However, you must also keep in mind the size of the pathway in your garden – if the wheelbarrow’s too large, you may have trouble moving it, which will get frustrating.
Weight Capacity
Most wheelbarrows in the market can carry a 150kg load, so you don’t have to worry about weight capacity if you’re looking for a wheelbarrow for compost.
Since compost doesn’t usually contain heavy rocks that could damage a wheelbarrow, weight capacity shouldn’t be a big factor in your decision.
However, avoid getting a wheelbarrow that cannot carry at least 80kg.
Number And Type Of Wheels
Here’s a rule of thumb: the more wheels a wheelbarrow has, the more stable it is.
But more wheels also mean less manoeuvrability – pushing it up a ramp or slope, turning it around a corner, and dumping loads of compost will be a little more challenging with more wheels.
Wheelbarrows have either one, two, or four wheels.
One-wheeled wheelbarrows turn and traverse slopes with ease, but there’s a higher risk of tipping over, which can be very frustrating.
Two-wheeled wheelbarrows are a lot more stable, and rarely tip over. But turning these is certainly more challenging.
You never have to worry about tipping with a four-wheeled wheelbarrow, but turning won’t be easy with a heavy load.
Two-wheeled wheelbarrows strike the right balance between stability and manoeuvrability, but with the right axles, four-wheeled wheelbarrows become easy to steer. Look out for these.
There are two types of wheels: pneumatic and non-pneumatic. We know these as tubed and tubeless tyres.
I recommend getting wheelbarrows with pneumatic or tubed wheels since these make compost easier to move. The hassle of keeping the wheels inflated is worth the ease of movement they offer.
Best Wheelbarrows For Moving Compost
Draper Garden Tipper Cart
It can carry up to 200kg without any trouble, which means it will make light work of moving everything from compost to heavy rocks and cement.
Since the tray is made out of heavy-duty polyurethane, you don’t have to worry about rust. However, you will need to ensure that the four pneumatic tyres are sufficiently inflated.
The properly designed axles counteract the reduced mobility associated with four-wheeled wheelbarrows. Steering it is smooth, and the long, padded handle makes moving compost easier.
The Draper tipper cart is a little more expensive than other wheelbarrows, but since it can handle heavy loads with ease and makes tipping convenient, it’s worth every penny.
TAHA® Wheelbarrow
The 15” pneumatic tyre makes moving heavy loads of compost easy. You don’t have to worry about straining your back or shoulders with this wheelbarrow.
It comes with twelve screws and a tiny, but easy to understand instruction manual. Putting it together is a breeze and will only take a few minutes.
However, you must remember to top off the wheel’s tube before you use it to move compost.
While the wheelbarrow is priced aggressively, the steel used to make the wheelbarrow is galvanized, which means you don’t have to worry about it rusting for decades.
The 100-litre capacity is more than enough for moving compost even for a larger lawn. Furthermore, the steep bottom of the tray virtually guarantees that the wheelbarrow won’t tip over even if the load you’re carrying is a little too heavy.
Arboria Wheelbarrow
The tray is galvanized, which ensures long life and also enables you to leave it outdoors without worrying about rust.
Additionally, the Arboria wheelbarrow comes with a 12” pneumatic tyre, which results in less strain when moving compost.
The single-wheeled design makes it easy to turn, but the tray isn’t as deep as the TAHA wheelbarrow, which means there’s a higher chance of it tipping over if not handled carefully.
The 65-litre capacity may make the wheelbarrow seem weak, but it can handle an 80kg load with ease.
The plastic grips are a nice touch and ensure that the warm steel handles don’t sting your hands.
Assembly is fairly easy, and the wheelbarrow should be ready to use in a few minutes.
Marko Tools Colorado 2 Wheel Wheelbarrow
It can handle 150kg in one go, and since it’s two-wheeled, you don’t have to worry much about the wheelbarrow tipping over.
You can also use it to carry tools around the garden, and it’s sturdy enough to be used for moving earth and rocks. You can rely on it for all your gardening needs.
Its durable and robust design is fortified by the use of galvanized steel, which means rusting will never be an issue no matter how long it’s left outdoors.
But what I like most is that a grip comes installed to most of the handle, so regardless of where you hold it, the heated steel will never sting your hands.
Both the tyres are pneumatic, and while this means it will require a little more maintenance, it will make carrying heavy loads of compost to your garden very easy.
FoxHunter New Heavy Duty Garden Dump Truck
But that’s only one of the many advantages it offers. The four 10” pneumatic tyres keep the truck stable even when loads are heavy, and paths are jagged.
Furthermore, since the dump truck uses a stable dual axle mechanism, you won’t have any trouble turning it around corners.
Unlike other wheelbarrows, you must pull the truck to move it and not push, which keeps exertion and strain to a minimum. The long handle also enables you to attach the cart to a vehicle and tow it when the load is too heavy.
While the tray is crafted with heavy-duty polyurethane, the chassis and the handle are made from steel, enabling the dump truck to carry a 150kg load effortlessly.
Verdict
The Draper tipper cart offers the convenience and sturdiness I expect out of a modern wheelbarrow.
Its design is what makes it the best wheelbarrow for compost. The polyurethane tray will never bend or break, and the robust steel chassis makes it serviceable. The cart will last decades!
The axles make it easy to manoeuvre, and the pneumatic wheels, coupled with the long handle and easy tipping mechanism, ensure that you don’t strain yourself.
If you’re looking to get the most value out of your money and make moving
