How to Choose a Wheelbarrow: Choose a Garden Wheelbarrow: Cars are different. Wheelbarrows are important. Especially at the dacha, because the work there is boiling all the time: harvesting, various garden troubles, transportation of bulk cargo, and if you started construction, then there’s certainly no getting around – you’ll have to run behind the Wheelbarrow.
How to Choose a Wheelbarrow?
It is not at all surprising that the range of garden wheelbarrows is very large. How to choose this type of inventory? How to make sure that any work was a joy, not a burden?
With What It Is Better to Begin
First of all, you need to ask yourself the question: “What do I need a car?” The question though simple, but very important. It will help determine the right type of Wheelbarrow:
- To transport heavy loads for the construction of a house, a fence, a path, a barn, or a gazebo – a construction wheelbarrow helps you.
- For garden works (transportation of seedlings, soil, fertilizers, etc.) – purchase, respectively, a garden.
After that, you can chat with neighbors or acquaintances. Find out what kind they use. Are you happy with your purchase? But feedback is feedback, but it’s better to hold it in your hands and try out the “vehicle” yourself. The model you like to remember and study its characteristics in detail. Thus, the choice is significantly narrowed, and the store will not have to be lost from the abundance of modifications and the volume of information heard from the seller.
What are the cars?
As already mentioned, the wheelbarrows are building and garden. They differ in their functional and consumer qualities.
Wheelbarrow for Construction
Used mainly in construction, although it can also be adapted for the transport of any heavy loads. It has increased carrying capacity, more excellent maneuverability, greater weight, and a higher price.
The construction of the building wheelbarrow looks like this:
- Body, where the cargo is placed,
- Wheel (one or two),
- Footsteps,
- Two handles are covered with plastic.
- The frame is reinforced.
To transport construction and finishing materials, this Wheelbarrow is a reliable and reliable assistant. Can transport almost everything that is needed at the construction site: cement(including mortar), bricks, heavy tools. You just need to keep within the parameters that are permissible under the instruction.
Can I use a building copy at the cottage? Of course, yes. Even if you do not build anything, it is useful for transporting a large amount of chernozem or sand, peat, gravel, the soil in the construction of a cellar, stones for rockery, garden debris, and even the contents of a drainage pit.
Wheelbarrow for Garden
This “model” has a lightweight design, lower carrying capacity, and lower price. The Wheelbarrow is not designed for carrying very heavy loads. Usually, it helps in working with seedlings, bulbs, fertilizers. It is irreplaceable when collecting potatoes, carrots, beets, and other vegetables. And if you have melons with watermelons or a giant gourd, the garden wheelbarrow rushes to the rescue again.
Thanks to the lighter materials and frame, it is very important that both men and women can use the garden option.
The design of her, too, is different:
- the wheel is only one (more it does not need it),
- the body is thinner,
- body flexible.
For a garden wheelbarrow, it is important not only the weight of the load but also its volume. It “will master” a maximum of 60-80 liters (for comparison: a construction wheelbarrow raises 120-140 liters).
It turns out that this car is a bit inferior to its “sister.” But this does not detract from its relevance for specific types of work. Garden wheelbarrows are in great demand. Let’s talk about them in more detail.
What to look for when choosing a wheelbarrow
At first glance, all the cars are about the same. Both the design and the functionality are similar. Having dealt with the differences of the building wheelbarrow from the garden, we will understand and with the differences of the garden wheelbarrows among themselves. Let’s start with the design.
1. Wheels
The first thing that catches your eye is the different number of wheels. The wheel can be one, and there can be two or even four. The heavier the cargo carried, the more wheels the Wheelbarrow should have.
The undeniable advantage of single-wheeled wheelbarrows is their maneuverability. Such a device will easily pass through the narrowest and winding path and easily maneuver on uneven ground or in a confined space.
But there is one disadvantage, which should be considered by those who plan to use a wheelbarrow not on asphalt or concrete, but, for example, on the excavated land. Since one wheel serves as a fulcrum, the weight of the load is also felt more. The wheel sinks deep into the soft ground, making it difficult to drive. Simply put, the car starts to get stuck in the ground.
Accordingly, for work on soft soil, it is better to purchase a two-wheelbarrow wheelbarrow or Wheelbarrow with four wheels.
Such cars are more stable, and they move easily on any soil; the weight of the load on them is not felt as much as on a single-wheeled vehicle. But the maneuverability of multi-wheelbarrows is not enough. Therefore, carefully calculate:
- the width of the tracks on your site,
- the number of turns that will have to pass,
- “Steepness” of these turns.
Two or four widely spaced wheels cannot pass through everywhere, as they need more room for a turn.
As for the diameter of the wheels, the bigger it is, the better. It depends on the size of the wheels depreciation—optimum wheel drive – from 35 cm to 45 cm.
Special popularity now uses wheelbarrows with pneumatic wheels (wheels that need to be pumped with air under pressure) on the metal rim. They easily travel on any surface. The wheel axles are fitted with ball bearings or bushings. The bearings provide a lighter stroke but are afraid of dirt and require additional lubrication.
The next important detail of the wheelbarrow design is the handle.
2. Pens
Handles in garden wheelbarrows come in two models:
- one longitudinal,
- two parallel.
Here we must personally try, which is more convenient and better. If the Wheelbarrow has one wheel, it will have to be kept practically on weight when moving. Hence, having two parallel handles will be more convenient; they will remove the extra burden on the hands. The grip of the handrails must have a bend to prevent the wrists from turning out.
A multi-wheelbarrow wheel to keep on weight is not necessary, and it should just push forward. For such a model, the choice of the type of pen depends entirely on personal preferences.
Important: if the multi-wheelbarrow is equipped with two parallel handles, then the human body must be placed in the distance between them.
With any modification, the handles should belong, with a corrugated plastic surface (not to slip hands), and most importantly – comfortable.
3. Frame
The frame construction should ensure the reliability of the entire structure. The strongest are wheelbarrows with a cast frame of solid pipes. But if you have purchased a wheelbarrow with a bent-welded frame, you should not despair. For garden work, and this.
Any frame should fit snugly against the body from all sides. This creates reliable support in front, behind, and below. The frame must have strong support, with which it will stand on the ground without problems.
An additional element of the frame construction is a stiffener. It increases the strength of the walls and the bottom of the body. But it can interfere with the handling of liquid and bulk products, so they need to choose a wheelbarrow with a rounded body.
4. Body material and shape
The form of the body of a wheelbarrow is of two types:
- Trapezoidal (front part beveled) – allows you to unload the contents easily.
- Square – will accurately place the load inside the Wheelbarrow, especially if it is not free-flowing but has a geometrically correct shape.
To choose the material from which the Wheelbarrow is made, you need to come very seriously. Too often, this kind of garden equipment suffers from an “aggressive” environment. As a result, rust is formed, and gradually the product will become unusable. This moment can be postponed by picking up the garden wheelbarrow from a quality and durable metal. As a rule, this is high–quality steel with a thickness of 0.8-1.5 mm.
To protect the metal, it is galvanized or powder coated. In the first case, zinc oxide forms on the surface, preventing further oxidation and protecting against rust.
Powder paint is applied by electricity. It “sticks” to the metal and “baked” at a temperature of 1800 ° C. Thus, a fairly strong coating is obtained.
It is impossible to answer unequivocally what coverage is better. It depends on how and in what conditions you are going to operate the Wheelbarrow. But keep in mind that galvanized metal is less resistant to external factors, although it looks more attractive. It will require some care.
The body of the Wheelbarrow can be made of plastic or wood. Of course, their strength and durability will be slightly different, and care will need to be more thorough.
A plastic garden wheelbarrow will not be able to transport a huge amount of land, compost, stones, or sand. But it will perfectly cope with the gifts of autumn, fallen leaves, light garbage, a small amount of land, or compost.
Plastic wheelbarrows should be kept away from fire and other sources of high temperature, do not leave a long time in the sun, in the cold, or in the rain with a strong hail.
Wooden wheelbarrows more and more lose their utilitarian purpose and go to the category of decor elements: they can put pots with flowers and arrange a container garden, plant flowers in the Wheelbarrow itself, pour decorative sand, etc.
In the absence of other options, you can also wooden Wheelbarrow adapt for working in the garden. Again, in order not to spoil it, it is necessary to measure its capabilities and the weight of the cargo.
And, at last, the most exotic kind of material for a garden wheelbarrow is a willow rod. Strangely enough, these are pretty sturdy cars. The basis of the construction is a metal frame, which is braided by rods. Use such a “basket on wheels” can be used to transport leaves, branches, pots with flowers, seedlings, etc. Well, of course, to decorate the site.
Weave wicker cars up to 8 kg and can withstand a maximum of 40 kg. In addition to the aesthetic component, they bribe strength (with proper care), environmental friendliness, and safety for health.
With the material, handles, and the number of wheels figured out, now you need to pay attention to the following parameters:
5. The size of the Garden Wheelbarrow
The sizes vary: from small (children’s) to large.
Therefore, in order not to lose the maximum width of the product, you need to measure all the aisles and doorways, the width of the wicket, and the width of the tracks. Proceeding from this and choosing the size of the Wheelbarrow.
6. Capacity
The capacity of the Wheelbarrow is measured in liters. Usually, the volume of the garden wheelbarrow varies from 65 to 130 liters.
7. Lifting capacity
The maximum lifting capacity shows how much weight your car can withstand and does not break. It is measured in kilograms. The most common load capacity is from 70 to 130 kg.
Please note that the Wheelbarrow with a greater load capacity is heavier. For the transport of large loads, it is better to choose a reinforced model (it has a thicker metal and a weighted frame) and not to fill up a small one.
8. The weight of the Wheelbarrow itself
Depends on the size and metal of the body, on the weight of the frame and wheels. The optimal option for a solid metal wheelbarrow – about 10 kg. The greater the weight of the Wheelbarrow, the more difficult it is to manage.
9. Price
The price directly depends on all the above-listed characteristics and ranges from 30 cups to 70 cups.
Can I make a garden car with my own hands?
For our summer residents, there is nothing impossible. It takes only a little imagination, enough skill, and more patience. And, of course, the necessary equipment and materials and carefully selected criteria for the mechanism.
The garden wheelbarrow with its own hands can be made of a metal sheet 2 mm thick and metal pipes:
- A body is constructed from a sheet (“welded to the joint”).
- Then the handles and the chassis are attached to the base. As a running gear, it is possible to use wheels from a bicycle or a moped.
- After carrying out all work, the product must be primed and painted.
Even an iron barrel can be put on the wheelbarrow base:
- Initially welded frame of pipes in the form of a letter A.
- The wheel is mounted in the front part of the structure, and the remaining elements protrude in the form of handles.
- Then you need to install the body – this is part of the cut along the barrel.
- The final stage is welding the footrests, which will keep the Wheelbarrow in a horizontal position.
A rather convenient option is a wooden wheelbarrow made in my own hands. It is done in a similar way.
- At first – a frame of wooden blocks or boards, fastened with screws, glue on wood (it all depends on what kind of cargo will be transported and how the device will be operated).
- Then – the body. It is a wooden box, similar to an ordinary box.
- The running gear of the Wheelbarrow will consist of a metal axle and wheels (from a bicycle, a moped, or specially bought wheels for a wheelbarrow).
- The handle can be T-shaped, attached to the body at an angle.
- The folding step will give the garden wheelbarrow stability.
The most important thing is to carefully fasten all the elements together, paying special attention to the places of joints of wooden and metal parts. And it is necessary to cover the wooden Wheelbarrow with varnish, paint on wood, or linseed oil so that it does not rot before the time.
Thus, with the help of improvised means, it is possible to build a very good garden wheelbarrow for the joy of oneself and envy of neighbors.
Conclusion
Whatever you choose – an independent production or a purchase option – it’s important to thankfully reflect the expected functionality and the costs or time spent. And then “economic” satisfaction after the transportation of several cubic meters of soil you are provided.