The builder’s wheelbarrow is an essential tool for construction sites. It makes moving heavy supplies easy with little back strain, and it has a wide selection of durable materials to choose from at great prices that will fit your needs.
We’ll talk you through the features that are important and we’ve picked our fave builder’s wheelbarrows to help you make a choice.
- Best Overall - Walsall BEASBP 85L Heavy Duty Easiload Wheelbarrow
Table of Contents
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Builders Wheelbarrows
First Things First
You’ll notice that the part of the wheelbarrow that holds cargo has different names – usually called a pan, tray, or tub, depending on the manufacturer. They are usually oblong in shape and have sides that slope so that tipping the wheelbarrow over is a little easier.
Wheelbarrows are pushed from behind because it’s the easiest way to control and manoeuvre them as you work, and this will work as long as they aren’t too heavy or have a load with a centre of gravity that is too high.
A two-wheeled wheelbarrow isn’t as agile as a one-wheeled, although it is more stable. Wheelbarrows can have several types of noses: one that is rounded and which can be tipped at any angle, or one that is flat and therefore can only be tipped forward.
What to Look for in a Builder’s Wheelbarrow
Builders’ wheelbarrows come in numerous types and designs, but before you decide for sure which one to purchase, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Size
Before purchasing a wheelbarrow, consider whether or not you are strong enough to move it from one location to another. And remember that just because you’ll be working in a large area doesn’t necessarily mean that you need a huge wheelbarrow. You need one that you can handle more than anything else.
Construction
Metal wheelbarrows can rust, and galvanised metal may need to be painted at some point. If the tray is metal, it can be affected by toxic substances and even animal waste if you’re working in a stable. Plastic trays are lighter and weatherproof, yet they aren’t as strong as trays made out of metal. Plastic trays also tend to be more resistant to some toxic materials, e.g., animal waste, so that is something to consider when researching wheelbarrows.
Tyres
As far as the tyres go, there are two main types: pneumatic and solid. Solid tyres are a bit stronger than pneumatic tyres and won’t puncture, but they don’t always provide a very smooth ride. Pneumatic tyres provide a much smoother ride regardless of the terrain, but they can puncture. That being said, they now make puncture-proof pneumatic tyres that are more convenient than the standard ones.
Load weight
When you’re moving a load of bricks versus garden waste, there will be a big difference in the load weight. Since each wheelbarrow has a weight maximum, it’s good to know ahead of time what you’ll be hauling before you purchase yours.
Space
By this, we mean the physical space where you’ll be working. Are there access limitations such as a narrow doorway? Is the space or area limited in space? You have to make sure that the wheelbarrow you choose can fit through the narrowest space where the work is taking place.
User capability
If you have any type of mobility issues, it might be easier for you to choose a cart that you can pull over a wheelbarrow that you have to push. This will be up to you, but it’s something you’ll need to consider before buying anything.
Types of Wheelbarrows You Can Choose
There are various types of wheelbarrows that can be suitable for builders and knowing the differences before you decide to purchase can be useful. Here are brief descriptions of each type of wheelbarrow:
Garden wheelbarrow
This is a wheelbarrow built for home use and usually has either one or two wheels. They are easy to manoeuvre and usually inexpensive as well.
Agricultural wheelbarrow
Agricultural wheelbarrows don’t have tank-like bodies but have a bed of metal bars that open at the front. They are perfect for hauling things such as straw, food bags, hay, etc.
Professional wheelbarrow
This type of wheelbarrow has one heavy-duty wheel and supports very heavy loads. If you’re hauling “live” loads such as liquids, you’ll appreciate these wheelbarrows’ stability and performance.
Motorised wheelbarrow
These are expensive but super easy to use because all you do is hop on and ride! Loads over 300 kilograms are no problem, and neither is difficult terrain. Plus, they’re available with either four wheels or caterpillar tracks.
Canteen wheelbarrow
Perfect for DIY enthusiasts, the canteen part of the wheelbarrow holds a lot of stuff and is welded to the chassis. This means that you can leave your equipment on the wheelbarrow and not worry about losing it.
Agricultural, professional, and motorised wheelbarrows make the best builders’ wheelbarrows, simply because the other two types — garden and canteen — may not be able to accommodate the load that you’re hauling. Large loads do best with agricultural wheelbarrows, and professional jobs do best with either professional or motorised wheelbarrows.
Choosing the Right Wheelbarrow for Your Needs
You’ll also want to look at the size of the wheelbarrow to make sure that it’s big enough to suit your needs. A galvanised steel wheelbarrow that carries 100 litres and sits on two inflatable wheels can carry up to around 150 kilograms. For most jobs, wheelbarrows that have a capacity of 90 to 120 litres will suffice. However, for professional jobs, which includes builders and contractors, you may want something with a little more capacity.
To get the right wheelbarrow in the end, you’ll need to consider how heavy your load will be, if the items you’ll be carrying are bulky, and if the items are corrosive or toxic. Heavy loads are better with steel wheelbarrows, but if you choose a plastic wheelbarrow that accommodates more volume, it will be more lightweight and easier to push than the steel wheelbarrow, even with a heavy load.
If the property is on level ground and doesn’t consist of rough terrain, a plastic wheelbarrow will do nicely. However, just know that plastic wheelbarrows are mostly used to haul items that are bulky, light, and aren’t going to be corroded by things such as animal waste. This being said, even if you know that you need a large steel wheelbarrow, you’d be better off buying a smaller one for the job if you feel that you are unable to manoeuvre a bigger wheelbarrow.
In addition, consider how you’re going to store the wheelbarrow. If you’re going to store it outside, keep in mind that a metal wheelbarrow will likely rust after a while. Galvanised metal wheelbarrows usually don’t rust and could be used instead. Storing your wheelbarrow in a shed or something similar is your best bet if you end up choosing a metal one.
Finally, there are single and dual-wheeled wheelbarrows. Single wheeled wheelbarrows are easy to manoeuvre, yet dual-wheeled wheelbarrows can be more stable and sturdier, not to mention easier to tip. Nevertheless, you’ll have to decide for yourself which one is right for you, based on the types of jobs.
Some Great Wheelbarrows for Builders
If you’d like to get an idea what some of the best wheelbarrows are for builders, try looking into these:
Walsall BEASBP Heavy-Duty Builders’ Wheelbarrow
Reliable and economical, the Walsall BEASBP Heavy Duty Easiload Wheelbarrow is perfect for those with limited space or who do not own a truck but need to transport large items such as stone or pavement blocks. Designed with optimal resistance in mind, no other wheelbarrow comes close.
It also protects the contents because of its high tensile rating steel frame which has undergone extensive pressure testing to guarantee fault-free performance. Finally, this wheelbarrow will get you anywhere because it is highly manouevrable due to its wide wheelbase and load position capabilities.
Pros:
- Robust construction.
- Large load capacity.
- Rugged tyres are suitable for all terrain.
Cons:
- Will rust eventually if not kept indoors
Neo Silver Galvanised Steel Wheelbarrow
Made of durable materials and steel to last for years, this cart is an excellent choice for any gardening enthusiast. The wheels are made out of pneumatic tyres that reduce wear and tear which means your hands will be free from blisters or soreness.
Plus, at only 2 Kilograms it’s conveniently easy enough to move around quickly without too much effort; giving you exactly what you need before the weight starts getting heavy again.
Add a little bit (or everything!) and get back gardening with ease – we’ll make sure it’ll go wherever you want it to!
Pros:
Cons:
- Sturdy wheel
- Durable and easy to clean
- 85L capacity
- Self-assembly required.
GYMAX Heavy-Duty Wheelbarrow with Two Wheels
Everything just became easier on your hands with this lightweight 150kg working load. Simply unfold it in seconds on smooth surfaces or fill with dirt when on grassy terrain and then simply push! Now that we’ve helped lighten up your day a little bit too, don’t forget to pick us up one of these carts today at a discounted price before supplies run out because they’re never going to last.
Pros:
- Incredibly stable
- Easy to tip
Cons:
- The assembly is quite time-consuming
Oypla 70-Litre Wheelbarrow
Crafted to last and made with durability in mind, this bike-friendly wheelbarrow is the perfect design for builders.
With a load capacity of 150kg and two wheels that can handle all terrains, it’s one of the strongest on the market. Plus, even if it falls over its low swept back frame will make sure nothing spills out! For those who prefer operation rather than muscle power, this product makes use of pneumatic tyres as well as soft grip handles. All materials involved are made from long-lasting steel frames as well as tough plastic hoppers for spilling less dirt or grass whilst transporting large quantities of goods to your destination. Whether you’re looking at buying a big enough cart to carry
Pros:
- Easy to clean.
- Stable
- Ergonomic handle
Cons:
- Harder to manoeuvre in tight spaces
BucketBarrow Urban88 Heavy-Duty Wheelbarrow
It features a strong metal frame that will take 150Kg of your weight comfortably! Its black coating also makes it easy to hide from view so those pesky pigeons won’t be able to get their claws on this one!
Pros:
- Rugged terrain tyre
- Tray with integrated shockboard
- Powder-coated metal frame and wheel rim
Cons:
- Some assembly required
Final Words
Whatever you’re looking for in a builder’s wheelbarrow, hopefully we’ve helped you narrow down your decision. Once you decide what features you consider a necessity, the rest of the process should be simple.
