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Basic Types of Wheelbarrows
Wheelbarrows may seem like a basic tool for people who love to work in their yard, but that doesn’t mean all of them are exactly the same.
Indeed, when you’re shopping around for the best wheelbarrow the first thing you’ll notice is how many of them are now on the market. Wheelbarrows are great for hauling dirt, mulch, and plants from one project to another, but how do you know which one is best for your needs?
Fortunately, the task of finding a great wheelbarrow is a lot easier once you learn a few of the basics.
Wheelbarrows come in many different designs and sizes, but there are still only three basic types you need to be concerned with, and these include the following:
Electric wheelbarrows
Yes, they make wheelbarrows that are electric, just like they do lawnmowers and other yard equipment. Although they’re nice to have around when you’ve got yard work to do, in honesty, electric wheelbarrows don’t really offer a lot of extra advantages over the hybrid or traditional types, at least not according to most experts. They’re also very expensive and require some ongoing maintenance, so unless this is something you’re just dying to buy, you’ll likely consider them not worth the effort in the end.
Hybrid (modern) wheelbarrows
These are merely traditional wheelbarrows with a more updated look and function. Years ago, all wheelbarrows had but one wheel and a tub that was so small and shallow that the wheelbarrow wasn’t always of great use. These days, all that has changed. Today’s wheelbarrows carry much more stuff and come with up to four wheels, not to mention tub sizes that provide a capacity that is right for everyone. Unless your workload requires just the basics, you can get a hybrid wheelbarrow that you’ll love and doesn’t cost a fortune.
Hill-use (heavy-duty) wheelbarrows
Although most traditional wheelbarrows can handle going up and down hills nicely, if you live in extra-hilly areas, it’s good to find one that is heavy-duty and made specifically for hills. Look for one that is made out of lightweight plastic or a poly wheelbarrow so it’s easier to move when you’re carrying around a heavy load. Don’t get one with a steel frame because it will add unnecessary weight to your load, and look for hardwood handles that have grips on them so that pulling the wheelbarrow up a hill is a lot easier. Finally, you should look for one that has two wheels, which provide the extra stability you’ll need to get up and down those hills.
View Hill-use (heavy-duty) wheelbarrows on Amazon
In general, wheelbarrows are made out of beds that consist of wood, plastic, or steel; wheels that can be either plastic or steel and usually have a rubber tyre around them; and handles that come with either hard plastic or foam grips. Some wheelbarrows even come with handles that are solid wood and are made without grips, so as you can see, you have a lot of variety when it comes to choosing the best wheelbarrow for your needs.
Things You Should Look for When Shopping for Wheelbarrows
If you’re going to get the best wheelbarrow for your particular gardening tasks, you need to first know what to look for as you shop. Since there are numerous types and designs of wheelbarrows, you can easily decide which features are most important once you determine for sure what you’ll be doing with the wheelbarrow once you get it home. Here are some basic things to consider while you’re researching wheelbarrows:
Cargo volume
This isn’t the weight limit, but instead indicates the amount of cubic feet worth of space in the wheelbarrow. Most wheelbarrows hold roughly 10 cubic feet of materials, so in addition to the weight of the wheelbarrow, you should keep this number in mind as well.
Load tub material
The load tub can be made out of numerous materials, but the most common materials include fabric (more common with folding wheelbarrows), wood, plastic (polyethylene), and metal, which is usually some type of stainless steel.
The weight limit
Each wheelbarrow is able to accommodate a certain weight limit, and although it’s difficult to predict exactly how much your stuff is going to weigh once you get it in the wheelbarrow, it’s still good to have some idea of how much weight the wheelbarrow can carry before you get started.
Check the manufacturer’s recommendation, which is usually listed somewhere on the packaging or promotional material, which provides you with an exact weight for that particular wheelbarrow. Also, keep in mind that the newer lightweight wheelbarrows with polyethylene load beds are usually superb when it comes to their weight limit.
Tyres
Since a lot will be riding on your wheelbarrow’s tyres, you need to make sure you have the right number and type. Wheelbarrows typically come with one, two, or four wheels, and if you want stability more than anything else, choose one with two wheels. Four-wheel hybrid wheelbarrows are best if you’re going to be pulling them behind you a lot, and pneumatic tyres – which are similar to the tyres on a vehicle – are very common nowadays. Tyres with no treads or those made out of plastic, as a general rule, should be avoided.
The handles
Most wheelbarrow handles are made out of wood, but other materials are also used. They also come with or without grips, but grips make the wheelbarrow much easier to manoeuvre whenever you have a load that is extra heavy. The gripped handles are usually made out of some type of plastic or rubber, and they make gripping the wheelbarrow much easier to do.
Some other tips include researching the material the wheelbarrow is made of, because if you’re going to be using it a lot, you’ll want one that is able to withstand the elements, which usually means choosing one made out of stainless steel so that it doesn’t rust. Plastic ones also last a long time, although they can fade over time if exposed to the sun for too long.
- Best Overall - CrazyGadget Wheelbarrow
- Best for Large Capacity - Wido 4-Wheel Wheelbarrow Cart
A Few of the Most High-Quality Wheelbarrows on the Market
Now that you know what to look for in a wheelbarrow and why these features are so important, it’s time to take a look at some of the wheelbarrows that consistently get great reviews from their customers.
This list can help you narrow down your choices somewhat and make it easier to decide which wheelbarrow is right for you. Here are just a handful of some high-quality wheelbarrows on the market:
Swipe the table!
| Cargo volume | Load tub material | Weight limit | Tyres | Handles | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrazyGadget® Wheelbarrow | 65 litre | Galvanised Steel | 60kgs | Pneumatic | Plastic grips |
| Walsall Wheelbarrow | 85 litre | Galvanised Steel | 120 Kgs | Pneumatic | Anti-slip |
| VonHaus 78L Wheelbarrow | 78 litre | Robust Plastic | 100kg | Pneumatic | Soft grip |
| Wido 100 Litre Green 4 Wheel | 100 litre | Steel | 200kg | Pneumatic | Padded grip |
CrazyGadget Wheelbarrow with Pneumatic Tyre
With heavy-duty pneumatic tyres and a 65-litre capacity, it has handles with great grips that make it even easier to manoeuvre regardless of the size of the task at hand. It even comes complete with a galvanised steel body for a super heavy-duty design, and you can assemble it in minutes using just a few simple bolts.
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty wheelbarrow that will survive even rough treatment, but you don’t want to pay a lot for it, this is the wheelbarrow for you.
Walsall Heavy-Duty Wheelbarrow
The Walsall wheelbarrow can even be stored outside thanks to its anti-rust materials, and it is specifically made for heavy-duty projects like the ones utilised by professional builders and contractors.
VonHaus Heavy-Duty Garden Wheelbarrow
It is made with two wheels for extra stability, and its soft-grip handles make it not only more comfortable to use, but also offer a smoother ride when you’re transporting items such as gravel, concrete blocks, or any other materials you need for your next project. Priced at just under £55, it is also affordable and can be purchased without breaking the bank.
Wido 4-Wheel Wheelbarrow Cart
In addition, at a price of around £53, this is one wheelbarrow that you can purchase without breaking the bank. Sturdy, versatile, and built to last, this is one wheelbarrow you won’t regret purchasing, and it can even accommodate up to 200 kg of weight, which makes it tough enough for nearly any task you take on.
