Whether they’re used for transporting compost, bark chippings, grass cuttings, fallen leaves, soil or manure, or moving plants, taking time to choose the right wheelbarrow will pay dividends.
Wheelbarrows are an indispensable tool for most gardeners. Daxara Tipping Trailer
Whether they’re used for transporting compost, bark chippings, grass cuttings, fallen leaves, soil or manure, or moving plants, taking time to choose the right one will pay dividends.
Finding the best wheelbarrow very much comes down to the particular needs of an individual gardener: larger models may enable the transportation of greater loads, but heavier weights can be more difficult to manoeuvre. The question of storage space is also worth considering.
The type of materials used in the construction of wheelbarrows can have a bearing on how easy they are to push around: plastic or polypropylene pans are much lighter, leading to a reduced overall weight before the pan is filled, but they may prove less robust than those made from metal, or even steel.
Consider how the frame is made, and whether it’s coated in special paints to make it less susceptible to scratches or rust.
Then there’s the wheel, or wheels if you prefer to spread loads over two contact points for greater balance. These can be pneumatic or rigid, the latter being useful if punctures are a particular hazard. When choosing, think about the bearing that wheels can have on grip, ease of movement and comfort for those pushing.
Other features to think about include the ‘nose’, a feature that keeps the wheelbarrow steady when it’s being unloaded. This is usually rounded but can also be square for greater balance. For some people, the colour of a wheelbarrow is of vital importance, with many now sold in every colour of the rainbow. The fact that a tool is made in the UK also has a bearing for some.
Generally most wheelbarrows follow a similar design, but there are now models on the market that perform a range of roles. Some convert into a handy trailer, and there’s one that has no fewer than eight different uses, including a lifting function.
The price of wheelbarrows can range from reasonably cheap to quite expensive, but as with everything we buy, it’s more often or not the case that we get what we pay for.
* Light and durable polypropylene pan to reduce the overall weight
The multi-purpose wheelbarrow is sturdy and ideal for everyday garden use. It has a durable green polypropylene pan to reduce its overall weight and a tough 30mm (1.2in) tubular frame. The heavy-duty wheel comes with a puncture-proof 350mm (14in) tyre for travelling across rough and stony ground and its tipping nose makes it easy to unload materials. This wheelbarrow can carry a maximum load of 125kg (just over 19 stones), is 60cm (24in) wide and has a capacity of 90 litres (just under 20 gallons). It is simple to assemble and is designed and made in the UK by Walsall Wheelbarrows in the UK.
* Compact and easy to manoeuvre
Said to be ‘small but mighty’, this barrow’s compact size and narrowness makes it easy to manoeuvre around uneven ground and various terrains but it’s strong enough to cope with heavier loads. There are twin wheels for better balance and more control, with the option of puncture-proof wheels. The frame is made from galvanised steel, and the plastic tub is polyethylene. The 135litre is equivalent to approximately 30 gallons and measures 137cm (approx. 54in) long. For those needing a larger barrow there’s the 200 litre (44 gallons) and the 350 litre (77 gallons). This barrow is made in China. It is supplied ready-assembled with a five-year warranty.
* Can convert to a barrow trailer
* Designed to relieve strain on body
The Henchman Wheelbarrow has been designed to make transporting big loads effortless and relieve strain on arms and backs. It can be pushed, pulled and tipped with one or both hands. The pan is made from durable, no-corrodible heavy duty polyethylene tubs come in two sizes - 350 litres (77 gallons) and 200 litres (44 gallons), and can both hold 250kg (39 stones) of material. This wheelbarrow can convert to a barrow trailer in under a minute with an optional tow bar. This wheelbarrow is supplied ready-assembled.
Made in Britain by Walsall Wheelbarrows, this sturdy steel barrow is made to carry load after load of gardening and building materials. This black wheelbarrow can hold up to 200kg (440.9lbs), is easy to manoeuvre and has a pneumatic tyre and soft grip handles for comfort. This wheelbarrow is 142cm (just over 4ft) long. It arrives ready-assembled.
For simpler lifting and moving, take a look at the Worx Aerocart 8 in 1 Wheelbarrow. It easily converts into a ‘dolly’ - small wheeled cart; extended dolly, cylinder holder, rock mover, plant mover and trailer mover. This 19kg (42lbs) steel wheelbarrow can lift loads four times its weight and has a patented design that adjusts the centre of gravity of the load. The two wheels are made to resist punctures and there are extendable arms to move irregularly-shaped objects. The handles are ergonomically-designed with soft grips for comfort. There’s a three-year manufacturer’s warranty. This 149cm (4ft 8ins) wheelbarrow requires self-assembly.
Harrod Horticultural loves the County Clipper Wheelbarrow so much that it uses it in its own kitchen garden. Its chassis is designed to enjoy a longer life, with its galvanised zinc plating, making it less susceptible to scratches and rust. The 4-ply block-pattern pneumatic tyre provides good traction and the wheel has double ball bearings. The 90 litre pan is made from blue colour-fast polypropylene that’s lightweight, rugged and easy to clean. The tipping bar is square to assist with balance and the skids are solid steel. This wheelbarrow is 143cm (just over 4ft) long. It has handgrips for comfort. Self-assembly is required.
Designed to carry loads of up to 250kg (110lbs), the Walsall Premier Plus Wheelbarrow is a useful tool in the garden. It has a silver metal pan, a pneumatic tyre, soft grip handles and a tipping nose for easy unloading. This sturdy barrow weighs 16.75kg (37lbs) before being filled. It’s made in Britain.
This ergonomically-designed two-wheeled metal wheelbarrow has a single wide loop non-slip handle. Its deep pan holds 65 litres and can carry up to 120kg (264 lbs). The two puncture-proof pneumatic wheels are great for rough or uneven ground and there’s a tipping nose bar for easy loading and unloading.. This wheelbarrow weighs 14kg (31lbs) and is 140cm (just over 4ft). It is made in the UK, guaranteed for a year and arrives boxed for self-assembly.
* Twin wheels for greater stability
These heavy-duty wheelbarrows have twin puncture-proof yellow wheels for greater stability when transporting loads of up to 150kg (330lbs), which means they’re unlikely to become unbalanced or tip over. The green pan is made from tough plastic and sits on a sturdy metal frame designed for heavy loads. The anti-slip handles give plenty of grip. This self-assembly wheelbarrow is 151cm (4ft 9ins) long.
* Maximum capacity of 150kg (330lbs)
Built to carry heavy loads with ease, the Crytec 85 litre commercial wheelbarrow is designed to be light and easy to manoeuvre. It has a sturdy steel frame coated with a weather-resistant finish for durability and longevity and a hardened polypropylene plastic pan.
6 X 4 Tipping Trailer It has an ergonomic handlebar that provides a comfortable grip and a large sturdy wheel for moving across all kinds of terrain. This 150cm (4ft 9ins)-long wheelbarrow carries up to 150kg (330lbs), is guaranteed for two years and is sold for self-assembly.