23 Different Types of Wheelbarrows (Materials, Features and Sizes)

Friday, January 15, 2016

Can you lot believe it took until 3,500 B.C. for the wheel to live invented. And as well as so it wasn’t until 200 AD that the wheelbarrow was invented. Since then, the wheelbarrow inwards many forms receive got aided construction of every type of edifice as well as the creation of many gardens, yards as well as landscaping. These days wheelbarrows are also used every bit planters.

You’d recall a tub amongst a wheel, what nosotros telephone phone a wheelbarrow would live a straightforward purchase. Well, it’s not. There are many unlike types of wheelbarrows. Yet, every soul amongst a yard needs i of these super handy gardening tools. It’s applying the ancient excogitation of the wheel inwards its most basic form.

Handle Material

Metal

Source: Houzz

Metal handles are incredibly secure as well as allow the wheelbarrow user to operate the wheelbarrow without whatever concerns over the security of the load. These handles volition non bend, break, or splinter. While they practise tend to acquire really hot if the wheelbarrow is left inwards the Sun for a long menses of time, using gloves volition minimize the discomfort that you lot experience when the handles acquire every bit good warm. Metal handles are long-lasting as well as won’t acquire damaged, which way that you lot volition receive got i less thing to worry most when using your wheelbarrow.

Wood

Source: Home Depot

Wooden handles are really pop on wheelbarrows as well as many people prefer them because they volition non acquire hot inwards the Sun the way that metallic ones will. The downside of wooden handles is that they tin sometimes acquire fossil oil as well as campaign splinters. These are incredibly painful as well as tin truly restrain the person’s utilization of the wheelbarrow, fifty-fifty afterwards they receive got been removed since they harm the hands. While wooden handles aren’t affected past times the sun, they tin acquire damaged if the wheelbarrow is left out inwards the rain. Not alone are moisture forest handles unpleasant to conduct hold as well as to utilization but the forest tin truly start to rot away. This volition lower the lifespan of your wheelbarrow every bit wooden handles are ofttimes the kickoff thing to continue the wheelbarrow itself.

Plastic

Source: Hayneedle

Plastic handles are to a greater extent than ofttimes than non alone establish on plastic wheelbarrows that receive got an ergonomic unmarried handle. They create a cohesive await inwards the wheelbarrow due to the matching colouring as well as pattern but that colouring tin speedily fade if the wheelbarrow is left out inwards the sun. Another danger of using a wheelbarrow amongst plastic handles is that the handles tin scissure or fifty-fifty shatter if the wheelbarrow is exposed to really mutual frigidity temperatures. This makes using the wheelbarrow inwards the tardily autumn or wintertime a footling tricky every bit a heavy charge combined amongst mutual frigidity temperatures is a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately, in i lawsuit plastic handles interruption or crack, the whole wheelbarrow ordinarily needs to live replaced every bit the handles lonely can’t exactly live replaced.

Bucket Material

Steel

Source: Houzz

Steel wheelbarrows are really mutual as well as slow to discovery inwards stores. They tin handgrip everything from calorie-free loads of sawdust or leaves to heavy piles of bricks without bending or cracking. Unfortunately, they are really heavy as well as tin live hard to command as well as to maneuver when they are full. Another work amongst steel wheelbarrows is that they volition rust if they are left out inwards the rain. Any fourth dimension that the wheelbarrow starts to rust, it volition create a weak signal inwards the bucket; over time, this weak signal volition break. When this happens, it volition live fourth dimension to purchase a novel i so it’s of import to ever shop a steel wheelbarrow inwards a covered area.

Wood

Source: Etsy

Wood wheelbarrows are non nearly every bit mutual every bit steel or plastic ones. They are really heavy when they acquire wet, are prone to rot, as well as tin campaign splinters. Although they volition non scissure the way that plastic wheelbarrows volition or rust the way that steel ones tend to do, they are hard to maintain looking their best as well as volition mold easily. Moss volition grow on these wheelbarrows if they are non kept dry out so they postulate to live stored inwards a covered surface area whenever they are non inwards use. It is most mutual to discovery forest wheelbarrows that are decorative or to live used for planters for these reasons.

Plastic

Source: Houzz

Plastic wheelbarrows are going to live much less expensive than their metallic or steel counterparts as well as also weigh a lot less. This makes them ideal for the gardener who is on a tight budget or is worried most if he or she volition live able to handgrip a metallic wheelbarrow, especially when it is full. One of the downsides of plastic wheelbarrows is that really heavy loads tin campaign the bucket to crack. When this happens, it is alone a affair of fourth dimension before the scissure gets so large that the wheelbarrow is unusable. Another fearfulness amongst plastic wheelbarrows is that the extreme mutual frigidity tin campaign them to scissure spell leaving them inwards the hot Sun tin brand the plastic lose some of its strength. Plastic won’t rust when left inwards the rain, however, making it a great alternative for users who don’t receive got a lot of covered storage space.

Canvas

Source: Hayneedle

While non nearly every bit pop every bit other bucket materials, at that topographic point are canvass wheelbarrows that you lot tin buy. These are to a greater extent than ofttimes than non great for people who don’t receive got a lot of storage infinite for their wheelbarrows every bit they tin live folded upwards to live stored. While canvass buckets can’t conduct hold the higher weights that steel or fifty-fifty some plastic wheelbarrows can, they are ofttimes rated upwards to unopen to 200 pounds. They are incredibly lightweight as well as slow to use, making them ideal for people who fighting amongst the heavier traditional wheelbarrows. In addition, the canvass bucket volition maintain the charge perfectly centered so that you lot volition receive got an easier fourth dimension moving it. Unlike traditional wheelbarrows amongst fixed buckets, the canvass bucket allows motion of the charge as well as it volition settle into the optimal seat for moving.

Features

Planter

Source: Etsy

Not all wheelbarrows receive got to live used to displace items inwards the garden. Some are perfect for planting flowers as well as await great inwards all kinds of homes, especially inwards a to a greater extent than province setting. These wheelbarrows are to a greater extent than ofttimes than non much smaller than full-sized traditional wheelbarrows but receive got been built to concluding so that they won’t live damaged when left out inwards the elements. They are ordinarily made of forest every bit this volition allow excess H2O to drain out of the planter as well as volition maintain the plants from drowning. If you lot practise discovery i made of metallic or fifty-fifty plastic, as well as so you lot volition receive got to brand certain that at that topographic point are drainage holes inwards the bottom of the bucket or your plants volition drown inwards a hard rain. It’s also a goodness thought to brand certain that your planter wheelbarrow has been sealed so that you lot don’t postulate to worry most it rotting.

Ground Flush

Source: Hayneedle

While non nearly every bit mutual every bit traditional wheelbarrows, ones that volition lay apartment on the ground acquire inwards really slow to displace items from i location to some other without having to elevator them to pose them inwards the wheelbarrow. These are incredibly slow to use; exactly identify the handles downward on the ground as well as and so rake items such every bit branches, leaves, or rocks onto the canvas. When the handles are lifted again, the bucket volition reform amongst all of the charge securely inside.

Foldable

Source: Home Depot

Being able to crimp your wheelbarrow when it comes fourth dimension to shop it ensures that you’ll easily live able to discovery infinite for it inwards your garage, nether your carport, or inwards your storage building. Unlike traditional wheelbarrows that are really bulky as well as tin live hard to store, foldable options are slow to crimp upwards into a much smaller item. These receive got upwards less infinite as well as are to a greater extent than ofttimes than non also much lighter as well as easier to move.

Stainless Steel Peg Rests

Source: Hayneedle

Every fourth dimension you lot laid your wheelbarrow down, it volition repose on peg rests. While these tin come upwards inwards wood, the best ones volition live stainless steel. Not alone volition stainless steel non scissure or live affected past times bugs but it is much stronger than wood. This way that it won’t warp or curvature fifty-fifty nether heavy loads.

Non-Slip Handles

Source: Home Depot

While steel handles are the strongest ones that you lot tin purchase on a wheelbarrow, they’re non terribly comfortable to use, especially inwards the middle of the summer. If you lot wishing a wheelbarrow that volition stand upwards up to all kinds of utilization but are worried most whether or non you lot volition live able to command it as well as comfortably conduct hold on to the handles, as well as so it’s a goodness thought to discovery i that has non-slip handles. Not alone practise these handles acquire inwards much easier to command the wheelbarrow but they are to a greater extent than comfortable to utilization every bit well. These handles are especially helpful if your hands acquire moisture spell you lot are working every bit you lot won’t receive got to worry most accidentally dropping the wheelbarrow if it were to slip.

Heavy-Duty

Source: Houzz

Heavy-duty wheelbarrows are built to stand upwards to upwards heavy loads as well as lots of operate without cracking, breaking, or having problems amongst either the wheels or the handles. While they tin easily live bought as well as and so used past times an private who needs a wheelbarrow for abode use, they are mostly used past times professionals who postulate them for commercial gardening projects. They are really slow to utilization as well as ofttimes ergonomically designed to take away whatever stress on the soul using the wheelbarrow but tend to live heavier since they are going to live made of strong as well as heavy-duty materials. Look for i that has handles that are slow to suitcase as well as a really secure wheel so that you lot tin easily displace heavy loads of brick, rock, as well as gravel. The steel frame on these wheelbarrows won’t curvature or dent, ensuring that you lot receive got an slow fourth dimension no affair what you’re moving.

Lightweight

Source: Houzz

While heavy-duty wheelbarrows are great if you lot are tackling large jobs, they’re alone useful if you lot are strong plenty to easily displace the wheelbarrow as well as all of the contents. If you lot fighting amongst moving heavy items, as well as so you lot may live much improve off amongst a lightweight wheelbarrow. While they volition soundless live rather heavy when they are full, they are to a greater extent than ofttimes than non much easier to move. This is especially of import if you lot postulate to live able to maneuver the wheelbarrow inwards betwixt plants inwards the garden every bit a heavy-duty i tends to live harder to steer. Additionally, these lighter wheelbarrows are a improve alternative for families, especially if the wishing is to acquire all of the kids involved inwards gardening every bit good every bit they volition live able to force as well as delineate their wheelbarrows amongst less effort.

Ergonomic Handles

Source: Hayneedle

These handles are closed or a unmarried bar that makes it a lot easier to displace the wheelbarrow from i identify to another. This makes it really slow for most users, fifty-fifty the elderly or younger teens, to utilization the wheelbarrow without having to exert a lot of effort. The trade-off is that they are non every bit slow to maneuver or to tip as well as it tin live really hard to dump out the thing that you lot are hauling. Ergonomic handles are perfect for people who don’t receive got a lot of manus strength or exactly postulate to live able to haul things inwards a direct line without worrying most carefully moving through a garden without damaging plants

Traditional Handles

Source: Wayfair

Traditionally, wheelbarrows receive got 2 handles that stick direct out towards the user as well as acquire inwards really slow to displace the wheelbarrow. If maneuverability is of import to you, as well as so you lot volition definitely wishing a wheelbarrow amongst traditional handles every bit they acquire inwards slow to dump, flip, tilt, as well as plough the wheelbarrow. The trade-off is that users receive got to live stronger to live able to easily utilization this type of wheelbarrow. Without a lot of manus strength, it’s slow for the wheelbarrow to move out of command as well as to tip over accidentally when you lot alone meant to dump out a minor amount of what you lot were moving. People who receive got narrow shoulders or who are to a greater extent than petite tend to fighting amongst traditional handles as well as volition practise goodness from ergonomic ones instead.

Pneumatic Tires

Source: Home Depot

If you lot wishing to live able to receive got to a greater extent than command over your wheelbarrow as well as wishing to ensure that it’s easier as well as smoother to utilization this slice of equipment, as well as so you lot volition wishing pneumatic tires. These receive got an inner subway that gets pumped upwards similarly to the tire on a bike. Due to the pattern of these wheels, they volition deed to a greater extent than every bit a stupor absorber as well as acquire inwards easier to command as well as to displace the wheelbarrow. Unfortunately, this inner subway tin easily pop if you lot receive got the wheelbarrow on really fossil oil ground. This type of tire also needs to live pumped dorsum upwards on a regular footing to ensure that you lot volition non live stuck amongst a apartment tire. While this doesn’t receive got a lot of operate to do, it is an extra maintenance measurement that takes fourth dimension away from gardening as well as tin live slow to forget.

Non-Pneumatic Tires

Source: Home Depot

These tires are solid condom as well as won’t ever conk apartment or accidentally pop spell you lot are out working. The work amongst these tires is that they practise non offering every bit polish every bit a motion every bit pneumatic ones practise as well as tin acquire inwards to a greater extent than hard to maneuver the wheelbarrow. Nevertheless, they’re ideal for the user who doesn’t wishing to receive got to worry most keeping the tires pumped upwards or uses the wheelbarrow on ground that may campaign a puncture inwards pneumatic tires. These are also commonly called “flat-free tires.”

Number of Wheels

One

Source: Home Depot

Most people recall of a traditional wheelbarrow every bit having i wheel correct inwards the middle as well as front. This is a tripod pattern that makes it really slow to dump what you lot receive got inwards the bucket of the wheelbarrow every bit good every bit to maneuver it unopen to inwards a garden without running over whatever plants. Unfortunately, when you lot alone receive got i wheel, as well as so you lot postulate to live stronger inwards guild to maneuver the wheelbarrow as well as maintain it from accidentally tipping over spell you lot are moving it. It tin live really hard to displace heavy items such every bit firewood as well as it is really slow for the wheelbarrow to conk off repose as well as tip over.

Two

Source: Hayneedle

While non every bit pop every bit wheelbarrows that alone receive got i wheel, wheelbarrows amongst 2 wheels are becoming to a greater extent than as well as to a greater extent than mutual every bit people realize that they are to a greater extent than ofttimes than non a footling easier to use. The instant wheel adds a lot of stability to the wheelbarrow, making it ideal for someone who may receive got problems treatment a wheelbarrow as well as keeping it from tipping over. There is a sacrifice to enjoying this ease of utilization as well as this is that the instant wheel makes it much to a greater extent than hard to maneuver the wheelbarrow through the garden or inwards tight spots. Unlike a wheelbarrow amongst exactly i wheel that tin pin as well as plough inwards place, turning the two-wheeled wheelbarrow takes a lot to a greater extent than room as well as effort. They also practise non operate really good on hills as well as are best suited to alone live used on apartment ground.

Cubic Feet

Up to Five

Source: Home Depot

It tin live rather hard to discovery wheelbarrows that are smaller than v cubic feet. Generally, these are going to live sized either for children or live to a greater extent than of a lawn cart-style wheelbarrow. They are great for getting kids out inwards the yard helping amongst yard work, however, as well as tin live used to carry most items that larger wheelbarrows can, exactly inwards smaller quantities. These smaller wheelbarrows are much easier to store, although you lot practise receive got to receive got the same precautions amongst them every bit you lot practise their larger counterparts every bit they volition exactly every bit easily conk damaged past times exposure to the elements. Unless you lot purchase a lawn cart that is designed for adults, they tin live much every bit good minor for an adult to live able to displace as well as utilization easily but practise receive got their identify as well as their utilization inwards a identify unit of measurement amongst younger children who wishing to assist outside. Keeping them loaded amongst lighter items is fundamental so that they don’t accidentally tip over spell inwards use. Another argue to opt for this smaller wheelbarrow is if you lot are really petite, receive got problems lifting heavy items, as well as alone postulate to live able to displace a few things at a time.

Five to Eight

Source: Home Depot

Most wheelbarrows autumn inwards this size range, amongst many of them vi cubic feet. This makes this size the easiest to purchase either inwards stores or online as well as to a greater extent than ofttimes than non the most useful. They are large plenty to handgrip moving plants, dirt, rock, as well as other items but soundless minor plenty that they tin easily live maneuvered without a lot of effort. Make certain that when you lot are looking for a wheelbarrow inwards this size range, it has strong plenty handles to back upwards all of the weight that you lot are moving every bit good every bit a wheel that has been firmly attached. It’s mutual to discovery both single- as well as double-wheeled wheelbarrows that are this size as well as you lot tin easily purchase ones that are made of steel or plastic.

Eight as well as up

Source: Home Depot

Larger wheelbarrows are, unfortunately, a footling scrap trickier to shop but they receive got many uses that smaller ones practise not. Unlike significantly smaller wheelbarrows, these larger ones tin cutting downward the amount of trips that you lot volition postulate to receive got from i business office of your yard to some other when moving yard trash or edifice supplies as well as are to a greater extent than ofttimes than non stronger as well as tin handgrip heavier materials as well as items. The downside to these larger wheelbarrows is that they are significantly larger as well as thus harder to maneuver due to their bulk. For many people, especially those who are strong plenty to handgrip these larger wheelbarrows, that’s a trade-off that they’re willing to brand every bit a larger wheelbarrow tin brand the operate conk past times to a greater extent than speedily as well as acquire inwards significantly easier to displace your materials. Make certain that the handles are securely attached so you lot don’t receive got to worry most them existence damaged or compromised when moving especially heavy loads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to mutual questions most wheelbarrows.

Who invented the wheelbarrow?

About one-half a millennium ago, “modern” physics codified ancient physics past times recognizing the wheelbarrow every bit a chemical compound machine that utilizes 2 of the vi classic machines that supply mechanical payoff to multiply applied forcefulness to displace objects. Physics explored past times scientists inwards the fourth dimension of the Renaissance were based on Archimedes’ description of unproblematic machines utilized for military machine applications some 2250 years ago. Strangely enough, the device recognized every bit an early on wheelbarrow emerged inwards the ancient ground every bit a military machine shipping device.

Today’s word for a a human-powered moveable platform amongst a unmarried wheel is derived from Old English linguistic communication “bearwe.” Think of the Modern English linguistic communication word “bear” which describes what happens when a burden is moved past times a person. The “barrow” is the platform. The wheel was added to the platform past times Zhuge Liang inwards Red People's Republic of China most 1800 years agone according to ancient author Chen Shou, but fine art from tombs inwards Sichuan propose wheelbarrows were already inwards utilization inwards Red People's Republic of China most a hundred years earlier. The technology scientific discipline amongst the modern wheel location was non inwards Europe for some other m years, most 1200 AD.

When was the wheelbarrow invented?

The thought of having a moveable platform capable of existence carried to carry an item to some other location is ancient. That burden-bearing device champaign predates the wheelbarrow. Actual documentation of the “first” wheeled utilization appears tied to the Chinese amongst formal documentation to 231 AD as well as extant artwork to a century earlier. The proffer of utilization past times ancient Greeks as well as Romans has non been proven, but researchers receive got suggested evolution some 200 to 400 years earlier, peradventure every bit early on every bit 200 BC.

How many wheelbarrows are sold inwards the U.S. each year?

2,000,000 wheelbarrows are produced inwards the the States per twelvemonth for the North American market. Based on 2003 guesstimates, most 75% are consumed past times the U.S.

What are the touchstone carrying capacities of wheelbarrows?

Wheelbarrow capacity on average ranges from 2 to 6 cubic feet. That capacity is subject on the depth, height, as well as width of the given wheelbarrow.

How broad as well as long are typical wheelbarrows?

Wheelbarrow sizing is subject on application. Gardening, construction, farming, fauna husbandry, multipurpose—each postulate requires a wheelbarrow-size that fits the job. The enquiry most width as well as length are important, but application needs inwards terms of cubic feet needed for a detail application is kickoff consideration. Wheelbarrows are most ofttimes chosen on the footing of 2 or 3 cubic human foot models. The shape of the charge may vary, subject on the necessary fit of the unit of measurement to the job. Dimensions of a vi cubic human foot wheelbarrow may live 58 x 27 x 26 inches spell specifications for a 2 cubic human foot model may never fifty-fifty live business office of specifications listed.

Can wheelbarrows live recycled?

This enquiry is non simple. Wheelbarrows tin live constructed out of a multifariousness of materials, ranging from plastic to forest to metal. They may live constructed amongst a unmarried wheel or to a greater extent than than i wheel. They may live maintained (e.g., tires replaced, handles replaced, etc.) or receive got no maintenance. They vary inwards size as well as purpose. They may receive got unmarried users or multiple users, as well as users may non live inwards understanding concerning replacement. They may live repurposed for an application that does non taxation their structures (e.g., planter, artwork, etc.).

Can used wheelbarrows live resold?

Value is determined past times a given buyer. When a buyer perceives value inwards one-time equipment, at that topographic point is potential for resale. Reselling awaits the “meeting of minds” of buyer as well as seller. The one-time adage, “Everyone has his price,” applies, since every vintage wheelbarrow has a value determining holding transfer.

Can you lot rent wheelbarrows?

Wheelbarrows are readily rented inwards the U.S. Prices vary amongst location. H5N1 survey of rental prices across the state propose an average rental accuse of $13 to $14 per twenty-four hours is typical inwards much of the country.