Wheelbarrows are an essential tool for many homeowners, gardeners and professionals. They can be used to haul a variety of items, including dirt, rocks, sand, gravel, soil or anything else that needs to be transported from one place to another.
But with so many wheelbarrow options on the market today – it’s easy to become overwhelmed by all of your choices!
So what do you need in a wheelbarrow? What size should you get? And how much should you spend? In this article, we answer these questions and more!
Table of Contents
Why do you need a wheelbarrow?
Wheelbarrows can carry a wide variety of materials, including dirt, rocks, sand or gravel. They are often used by homeowners who want to transport soil from one place in their yard to another.
Gardeners use them for transporting plants and stones out of the garden.
Professionals such as landscapers may also find wheelbarrow helpful because they do not have any other means of transportation available when on-site at a customer’s property.
What to look for in a wheelbarrow
When you’re looking to invest in a new wheelbarrow you’ll want to consider the following:
- Material - Steel is a popular choice for wheelbarrow manufacturers because it's sturdy and durable.
- Weight capacity - If you plan on picking up more than 600 pounds at once, you'll want to invest in a heavy duty model.
- Cost - The price range can vary considerably, starting at $50 and going up to as much as $300.
- Wheels Most wheelbarrows come with hard rubber tires but inflatable tubes are also available
How to choose the right size of wheelbarrow for your needs
To choose the right size of wheelbarrow for your needs, you’ll need to consider:
- The height and width in which it will be used. A standard household model is usually about 36 inches wide but professional models can range up to 48 inches wide.
- How much will you be carrying. This will determine the weight capacity.
- The materials and items you'll be loading into your wheelbarrow. This will dictate the materials your wheelbarrow is made out of.
Wheelbarrows vs carts: which should you buy?
The main difference between wheelbarrows and carts is that the former has a single-wheeled front caster while the latter has four hard rubber tires.
- Carts are generally better for heavier loads because they have more stability, but there is often less maneuverability than with a wheelbarrow.
- Wheelbarrows allow for more agile movement, but are more unstable and difficult to fill with heavy loads.
- Carts can also be used for household purposes like moving furniture or transporting children on a playground, while wheelbarrows are typically reserved only for professional use in gardens and construction sites.
- A third option is the hand cart, which has two wheels at the front of its frame and one push handle that rolls along behind it. A hand cart can be good for heavy and bulky loads
Can you leave wheelbarrow outside?
Storing your wheelbarrow outside may not be a good idea if you live in an area where the winters are harsh. The metal frame of your wheelbarrow can easily become rusted or corroded and will need to be replaced, which can get expensive over time.
The best option is usually to store it inside under shelter from rain and snow.
Here’s a few wheelbarrows you can store outside along with some ideas on wheelbarrow storage.
What is a good size wheelbarrow?
The best size wheelbarrow for most people is a medium-sized one. This will be big enough to carry many different things but not so heavy that it’s too hard to push around when full of something like sand or mulch.
A smaller (or larger) sized wheelbarrow may work better depending on the person and what they need it for, though in general, medium is good!
Can I hire a wheelbarrow?
Yes, most tool hire companies will rent you a wheelbarrow.
What pressure should wheelbarrow tyres be?
The tyre pressure of your wheelbarrow is important for safety and efficiency. It should be at the manufacturer’s recommended level or slightly higher, but not too much higher as it may affect how easy it is to push or pull the barrow around.
Walking through a muddy garden? You’ll need a big wheelbarrow with large wheels and well-inflated tyres that won’t sink down into the ground!
What kind of lever is a wheelbarrow?
A wheelbarrow is a second-class lever. The fulcrum lever is the wheel, while the load is on one end of the barrow and the force (your weight) will be applied at a height to lift it.
We hope you found this guide useful!
If you have any more wheelbarrow questions, please let us know.
