Wheelbarrows have been part of the growing human civilization. They were part of the agricultural revolution as they helped move farm produce and implements to and fro.
Wheelbarrows are even more useful in the contemporary society than anyone would imagine – there are many uses for it in our homes. This is especially true for those that have some yard work planned out. What fun is it to haul mulch and clippings by hand from one end of your homestead to the other?
But there are too many wheelbarrows and garden carts on the market to leave anyone reeling trying to figure out which is the best for their situation. The handy wheelbarrow guide below will point you in the right direction, and it’s free – how much better can it get?
- Choosing between a Garden Cart and Wheelbarrow
If your yard work includes hauling the heavy stuff like stones, manure, and harvest, don’t sweat it with a wheelbarrow – a garden cart will be more suited. Garden carts are four-wheeled and offer more stability than a typical wheelbarrow. But for most of us homeowners, a wheelbarrow will do just fine.
- Tray Material and Size
You will mostly find steel or plastic tray wheelbarrows. Steel is stronger and can haul the heavy stuff without showing any signs of stress. However, it is a bit heavier and will require a bit of maintenance.
Plastic is more attractive, and easier to clean – you will not need to worry about compost residue sticking on the surface. But, you will need to be much more careful carrying heavy.
Depending on what you will be hauling most of the time, you can choose a capacity of between four and ten cubic feet. Carts have a more extensive capacity of up to 13 cubic feet. Even though larger is pretty nice, you will need to determine the much you can haul without sacrificing stability. What use will a bigger capacity be if it keeps tipping midway because it is harder to control?
- Wheel
Depending on the terrain and the tasks you have on your hands, you may need to choose between one and two wheels. The two-wheeled varieties are just great when dealing with the massive rocks and stuff. They offer added stability and have better tipping capability.
However, dual-wheels are not easy to maneuver and are not ideal for tight spaces. If you have decided two wheels are better, make sure there is sufficient space to move around.
And the wheel size is another critical factor to think about. Bigger is better as it is easier to move from one place to the other regardless of terrain and surface.
- Handle
Handles will determine whether you always have a hard time moving stuff or not. If you are out for something comfortable, lighter and flexible, then you will be better placed with wooden handles. Steel is stronger and more durable than wood but a bit heavier. You will mostly find steel handles on contractor-type wheelbarrows.
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