Looking for a good wheelbarrow

[dan daly]

My criteria:

I want a wheelbarrow for moving around rocks, soil, grass clippings etc. The area where I'll be using has some slopes and uneven ground. So I need durability and stability plus the a nice size area to put stuff all while still being able to push it when loaded. Not sure if I want 1 wheel or 2.

I looked over a bunch of different models on amazon.com and don't see anything with great reviews jumping out. Seems like all of the ones with plastic tubs (if that's the right word) have pretty poor quality with stuff cracking a lot, even the more expensive ones.

So does anyone have any experience with a decent wheelbarrow they'd recommend that's not going to break the bank but isn't going to just plain break either?

 

[jonyyuma]

I vote for flat proof tires..Or else,Always have to add air to use it?

 

[bcp]

Two wheels don't work well crossing a slope or on a narrow path.

I've also discovered it is less work to move it half-full twice, instead of really full and heavy once.

Bruce

 

[dave1949]

I would just buy the $40-$50 on sale metal wheelbarrow with stout wooden handles and single wheel at the hardware. If you keep it inside when not in use and don't abuse it, they will last many years. You can mix concrete in them too.

You can always put a flat-free wheel on it later or replace the wooden handles if need be.
Dave.

 

[keegs]

+1 one on the plain old plain old.

Allot of them have tubless tires. I find when they start leaking, putting in a tube fixes that problem.

 

[RobertN]

You mean a loader on the tractor?

I have a couple wheel barrows. I have the all metal contractor type. I would not buy another plastic, or metal tub/wood frame wheelbarrow. Handles flex, loosen up, twist.

The metal contractor types last forever too. More expensive, but the last wheelbarrow you'll ever need.

 

[RickB]

Jackson used to be the only wheelbarrow worth looking at. Not sure if they are still around.

 

[dave1949]

You mean a loader on the tractor?

I have a couple wheel barrows. I have the all metal contractor type. I would not buy another plastic, or metal tub/wood frame wheelbarrow. Handles flex, loosen up, twist.

The metal contractor types last forever too. More expensive, but the last wheelbarrow you'll ever need.

I had to laugh when I saw your 'loader on a tractor', thought the same thing. I donated my old wheelbarrow to the horse rescue folks down the road, I've had no use for it since 2003 when I got my tractor. All I did with it was move it from one spot in the garage to another. It still had the original wood handles and it was 13 years old when I passed it on. :thumbsup:

One thing I discovered about moving large rocks with a wheelbarrow, is to lay the wheelbarrow on it's side, roll/scoot the rock into the tub as much as will fit in. Then set the barrow upright by lifting on the edge of the tub the rock is laying on and pushing on the other side of the tub for leverage - while chanting your favorite words of encouragement.
Dave.

 

[bullbreaker]

Jackson used to be the only wheelbarrow worth looking at. Not sure if they are still around.

Totally agree !
In these parts seem like that is what the serious contractors use(never owned one).

Boone

Jackson - Home

 

[looknlearn]

I agree that Jackson seems to be the one of the best yard and garden tool maker out there but I did see a broken Jackson Polly wheelbarrow recently. I would say to go with one of the best so when you need it, it is there waiting for work, not waiting to be fixed.

Solid tires are great. We got one a while ago and have found nail heads poking out after working on the job site (no delay with a solid tire:thumbsup:).

We have an old contractor duty Polly tubbed Agri-Fab wheelbarrow that dad got about 20 years ago or so. We have beat that thing and nothing gives(had to reinforce the stand a few years ago). Original wood handles, original tub with no breaks. The tub is thicker and softer than the newer ones and I think that's it's secret or maybe it was just a good batch. It is also balanced better than most other ones I have used. We have a cheaper one that I broke in a short period of time. The tub was to thin and brittle.

I haven't met a steel wheelbarrow I liked because of the weight empty in comparison to size and balance when transporting a load. Probably just spoiled with the good one we got.

Don't know if I was any help in my ramblings but I hope so.

 

[RobertN]

Yes. But I have never broken one, and have moved a lot of concrete. My concrete buddy, beats the tar out of them, and they keep going.

I tried using a wood handle wheelbarrow once with concrete; too flexible. Almost dumped a full barrow of mud.

Not to say there are not good ones out there though, beside the all steel ones.

I haven't met a steel wheelbarrow I liked because of the weight empty in comparison to size and balance when transporting a load. Probably just spoiled with the good one we got.

 

[looknlearn]

Yes. But I have never broken one, and have moved a lot of concrete. My concrete buddy, beats the tar out of them, and they keep going.

I tried using a wood handle wheelbarrow once with concrete; too flexible. Almost dumped a full barrow of mud.

Not to say there are not good ones out there though, beside the all steel ones.

You have got a point, no flex in an all steel wheelbarrow. I was just thinking steel tub and wood handles. I think only once I used an all steel one and I can't remember how it felt. I just have learned to live with the flex and compensate with a heavy load. I'll have to try an all steel one with a load sometime.

 

[JB4310]

Jackson used to be the only wheelbarrow worth looking at. Not sure if they are still around.

Totally agree !
In these parts seem like that is what the serious contractors use(never owned one).

Boone

Jackson - Home

It's pretty much the contractor standard. Jackson 6 cubic foot, wood handles.
I have been using them for 28 years and only had to replace them a few times. I've never seen another one to compare to for commercial use.

The only thing I don't like about them now is the anti tip back braces they put on them. Because I mainly use WB for mixing mortar and concrete, I need to unload them out the back with a hoe into a pail. The braces make it difficult, so we take them off, but then the WB seems to sit a little lower.
I usually put some linseed oil on the handles every couple of years, mine sit out and still last for many years.
I've never felt the thick wood handles flex on a Jackson WB even with hundreds of pounds in them. I'm sure though like everything else these days, they are not as well made/HD as they once were.

Funny wheel barrow storey, a young juvenile delinquent tries to steal a WB from a job site while the workers are having lunch. A couple guys give chase at which time the kid pours on the steam and is running flat out over rough terrain pushing the WB. Well you may of guessed what happened next. He caught the front cross member on the rough ground and was launched high into the air over it!!! The guys that were chasing him laughed so hard they gave up on him. :laughing: True story.

JB.

 

[CurlyDave]

I vote for flat proof tires..Or else,Always have to add air to use it?

I am not so sure on that. A buddy has a flat proof tire on the same job where I have a pneumatic tire wheelbarrow.

The pneumatic one is much easier to push than the flat-free, even though mine has a larger capacity and is used with heavier loads.

It sort of depends who is going to be doing the pushing. If I am, I want the old fashioned tires, if I am going to hire a kid to push the wheelbarrow, flat free. Not only does he have more oomph than I do, he is not going to be as careful of nails as I am.

 

[RickB]

I agree that Jackson seems to be the one of the best yard and garden tool maker out there but I did see a broken Jackson Polly wheelbarrow recently.

I was refering to steel tub Jackson barrows.

 

[SpringHollow]

Pneumatic tires definitely push easier. One advantage of a plastic tub is that i hate the sound of firewood hitting a steel wheelbarrow when i toss it in. But the plastic does crack after a while when doing that. I am thinking of buying a new one and use the cracked tub inside the new one.

Ken

 

[Egon]

An observation on the "Best Wheelbarrow".

It comes with a strong young fellow between the handles!:thumbsup:

 

[keegs]

An observation on the "Best Wheelbarrow".

It comes with a strong young fellow between the handles!:thumbsup:

One better would be a strong young women...

 

[Egon]

That is a Moot point! Will any work be done?

 

[dmccarty]

I bought a Rubbermaid two wheel barrow getting close to 15 years ago. I have moved tons of gravel, soil, firewood, mulch, and rip rap with that thing.

A single wheel barrow is a useless in comparison.

The only thing that has broken on the wheel barrow is that the lip on the front cracked when I was using the barrow to lift a piece of rock that was 150-200 pounds.

The wheels leak air pretty good at this point. I either need to replace the tubes or replace the solid tires.

When I went to buy the wheel barrow I literally sat down on a stack of garden materials. I was shocked at the price. I thought for a long time about spending the money but in the end I did.

Well worth every cent.

Later,
Dan