Let's talk wheelbarrows

[signcrafter]

I bought a wheelbarrow from home depot about 6-7 years ago. It was one of the nicer ones they sold at the time, think it was around 75 bucks or so. It's a plastic tub, think 6 cu ft and I've worked it pretty hard. I bought it originally when I had to dig up the yard to fix a basement leak. It sits leaned up against the garage most of the time but when I have yard work to do it gets used for moving dirt, stones, sticks, or whatever I can throw in it and for mixing cement. The legs had gotten a slit bend in one of them a couple years back, more of a twist or something but nothing that affected using it. Today I was using it to mix some cement for some fence posts and after the first batch I noticed the plastic tub had developed a crack in it. Not exactly sure what caused it. The only thing I can think of is I was hauling about 6 bags of 60 pound concrete mix in it and going over some rough terrain. Wouldn't think that would have cracked the plastic tub but who knows.

Anyway, I am now in need of a new wheelbarrow. I'll keep this one and retire it as the back up. So looking for a wheelbarrow that will stand up to some rough duty. I didn't think I pushed my last one to bad, like I said it only gets used a few times a year but when I use it I load it up with a few hundred pounds and run it across bumpy terrain. I will use it for moving dirt, rocks and mixing cement unless I can convince the powers that be that we need a cement mixer since after mixing 15 bags today I don't ever want to mix another bag! But don't think that's going to happen. So what are the pros/cons of steel or plastic tubs? Obviously plastic won't rust but as I found out today it does crack. So I'm leaning towards a steel tub but not sure since I would think gravel or mixing concrete would scratch it pretty good and leave it able to rust away. Also one or two tires? Anything else I should consider? Just want something that will last a longtime.

 

[Duct Tape Man]

So I'm leaning towards a steel tub but not sure since I would think gravel or mixing concrete would scratch it pretty good and leave it able to rust away.

I wouldn't worry about this too much. I have a wheelbarrow behind the shed that my parents bought about 30 years ago. It's steel, with a few small rust holes in the bottom. One handle rail has broken and was repaired by Dad by screwing a 2x4 along it's length. The tire barely holds air. Despite all this, the wheelbarrow has lasted a long time and still pulls duty hauling rocks and split wood around the yard.

Buy steel, use it till it falls apart.

 

[signcrafter]

Lowes has this Jackson steel 6 cu ft wheelbarrow for 100 bucks, http://www.lowes.com/pd_249096-302-...w&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=wheelbarrow&facetInfo=. Looks to be very well made compared to others?

 

[neophyte]

If your wheelbarrow was sitting outside in the sun on a frequent basis that might have something to do with the crack, since the sunlight could cause the plastic to become more brittle over time.

 

[malibu101]

I ain't no wheelbarrow expert so I don't know model numbers or nothin'......
But
I see only Jackson brand wheelbarrows used on ******** construction sites.

 

[Outlawmws]

I wouldn't worry about this too much. I have a wheelbarrow behind the shed that my parents bought about 30 years ago. It's steel, with a few small rust holes in the bottom. One handle rail has broken and was repaired by Dad by screwing a 2x4 along it's length. The tire barely holds air. Despite all this, the wheelbarrow has lasted a long time and still pulls duty hauling rocks and split wood around the yard.

Buy steel, use it till it falls apart.

I just this past year gave away my old steel contractors wheelbarrow. For the past ten years or so it's had holes whee it had rusted through. I got rid of it because too much of what I do with it caused leaks and a mess. can't do sand, can't do concrete, Even gravel and dirt is a **** shoot and that's with me lining it with cardboard...

Park the plastic wheel barrow against a south wall so the sun is not beating on it, and deal with it...

 

[getbent4x4]

can't leave them outside, and they need hosed out after every use. Lasts forever.

 

[signcrafter]

can't leave them outside, and they need hosed out after every use. Lasts forever.

The plastic or steel ones?

 

[getbent4x4]

all of them. Steel rusts, plastic deteriorates from the sun. I have a 10 yr old steel one that still looks like new. Get one with a solid tire. Put it in the shed when you're done.

 

[Gregg33]

I've had a plastic one for years. I have a front end loader so I don't use it often. I believe it is a RONA labelled Garant and is a larger model. The plastic tub has too much flex in it when it's loaded heavy. Also the rear legs often dig in on rough terrain and/ or my back hurts from crouching down, because if you pick it up too high while pushing it the front "bumper" digs in. I'm close to 6ft, but I can only imagine how some1 really tall would struggle

 

[signcrafter]

all of them. Steel rusts, plastic deteriorates from the sun. I have a 10 yr old steel one that still looks like new. Get one with a solid tire. Put it in the shed when you're done.

Mine was left outside all the time. I really don't have room for it inside the shed or garage but will have to make room when I get a new one.

I've had a plastic one for years. I have a front end loader so I don't use it often. I believe it is a RONA labelled Garant and is a larger model. The plastic tub has too much flex in it when it's loaded heavy. Also the rear legs often dig in on rough terrain and/ or my back hurts from crouching down, because if you pick it up too high while pushing it the front "bumper" digs in. I'm close to 6ft, but I can only imagine how some1 really tall would struggle

This was a problem for me also. The plastic would flex like crazy. I don't remember ever using a steel one that flexed like this plastic one did.

 

[CWP1616L]

Get the Jackson M6T22BB. Keep the tire out of the sun.

 

[NY_treeguy]

True temper or Jackson. We use steel tubs at work and the handles always go first. I have a 12 year old plastic tub at home. Sits out in sun and snow, still going strong. Granted, it lives in a shady spot of the lawn, but it gets no special care at all.

 

[signcrafter]

Get the Jackson M6T22BB. Keep the tire out of the sun.

What is the difference between these two jacksons, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005NMUL/?tag=atomicindus08-20 and http://www.lowes.com/pd_249096-302-...w&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=wheelbarrow&facetInfo=. Is the one at lowes that is 63 bucks cheaper made overseas? I notice in the picture it doesn't say USA on the side like the one in the amazon link. I don't think I can spend 163 bucks on a wheelbarrow. For how little I use mine I just can't justify it. I am thinking around the 100 dollar mark, I thought that was pretty high for wheelbarrows but I guess they go much higher. I want something that will last and thought 100 bucks would get me into something decent.

 

[getbent4x4]

I have one similar to this, tire is gray though. http://www.amestruetemper.com/produ...ctId=190&SubFamilyId=38&FamilyId=36&LineId=31 steel handle with rubber grips, steel tub.

 

[CWP1616L]

That one at Lowes will be fine. Pneumatic tires ride a little nicer, but you can always change that out later.

 

[Carsandtools]

I've been using a True Temper C6 (6 cu. ft.) since 1996. It is available from Ace Hardware, farm fleet stores and such. It gets used steadily for landscaping and tree cutting from throughout the yard work season each year. I just put a new tire on it since the old tire was leaking air after 17 years of use and four season outdoor storage in Michigan.

Even with the leak, I could fill it and it would last two days before I needed to air it up again. I finally went ahead and replaced the tire. It has a tubeless pneumatic tire and rolls well. I don't care for the "flat free" tires because they don't roll as well and they cost as much as the entire wheelbarrow. My last tire lasted 17 years and I will probably get another 17 years out of the new tire using the original steel rim.

The wheelbarrow is continuously stored outdoors upside down in my mulch pile and it has no rust through, only minor surface rust and not much of that.

Steel is much tougher than plastic in these wheelbarrows. The steel is heavy gauge and you have to try hard to dent it. The wooden handles must be ash wood or some other tough wood because they hold up brilliantly. This barrow could easily last a lifetime for the average user.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/...2&KPID=2974443&cagpspn=pla&CAWELAID=109395796

 

[theoldwizard1]

As we get older we loose strength.

Consider a 2 wheeled wheelbarrow.

 

[AllAboutTools]

I've hauled more dirt and rock than I care to discuss...went through multiple wheel barrows. Nothing I've found compares to the Jackson's.

 

[TOOL MASTER]

http://www.lowes.com/pd_84142-302-C...w&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=wheelbarrow&facetInfo=

sweet rig!!

 

[mds5951]

I have one of the Jackson two wheeled rigs... Will never go back.

 

[aaron77]

I have a jackson. I use it to haul heavy metal scrap through the woods. Had it for a few months has held up great!

 

[Erampu]

I have a Troy Built garden cart. It's totally useless for wet stuff like concrete, but for hauling up to 300 lbs. of dirt, rocks, branches, etc., you can't beat it. I've used it to move furniture, boxes of stuff, small trees for planting, etc., too.

It's plywood and has two large wheels. It's easy to control, has a dump door, and the neighbor borrows it often and lets his wheelbarrow sit. I keep it in the shed and it looks almost new, but is 18 years old.

 

[Ign]

Funny this should come up as I've been modding my wheelbarrows lately. I hate wood and the handles on mine had warped, cracked or were splintering. Plus you simply cannot maintain bolt torque when clamping down on wood. You just canNOT.

I replaced the handles with 1.25 square tube. For the hand grip area I sleeved 3/4" pipe in, capped with a button head screw and turned down the weld on my lathe.

I replace ALL tires with a flat free - LOVE those things and they hardly ride any worse than a pneumatic.

I weld all joints in the framework under the tub. This is very important and always overlooked 'cause they can't ship 'em broken down this way. Ever had a wheelbarrow maxed out and you put it down on the slightest sidehill and it parallelograms (sure it could be a verb!)? Yeah, not good.

I was given two more wheelbarrows I've been meaning to modify and try to sell on CL. I'm afraid, however, most people won't understand the advantages of a fully welded, all-steel, flat free wheelbarrow.

And I do see that Tru Temper makes a steel handled unit with flat free tire, but the handles look incredibly thin - - *maybe* 16ga wall thickness.

 

[Ign]

Fingers indicate just some of the weld points

Any production wheelbarrow I've seen relies on the tub to keep the handles spaced apart; this is less than ideal and should not be the case. By fully welding the frame stands alone and the bucket just rests on it, just like a truck body on a frame.

I use this one generally to transport small batches of firewood and got tired of firewood soup so I intentionally drilled a lot of drain holes in it. I have a steel tub I use for stuff that I don't want leaking.

 

[signcrafter]

Jackson makes 10 different "contractor" steel tub wheelbarrows, http://www.jacksonprofessional.com/products/sub-family.aspx?LineId=34&FamilyId=269 and come in all different price ranges. I see some of the differences are flat free tires and some other things but what is the best one to get for the price? Is the one at lowes I linked to above a decent one for the money? I just don't want to buy it just because it's a Jackson if it's a cheapened down model and no better then the other ones at the box stores if you know what I mean. If it is a quality one it looks like a nice one that will do what I need for a decent price.

 

[cheechi]

Steel is real. That's really nice. I'm going to do that next time I need to buy one. For the time being, keeping my parent's in decent repair is good enough. they have been severely mistreated (one was treated pretty well in its prior life owned by a contractor, but since then..) for about 15 years and no rust through living outdoors that whole time.

 

[1233user]

I would get the Jackson with a steel tub from Home Depot for about $100. The Home Depot Jackson has a pneumatic tire, and the Lowes Jackson has a flat free tire. If you haul a lot of weight you do not want a flat free tire. I have found that the flat free tires get to squishy with a lot of weight on them, and then its harder to push the wheelbarrow. All of the steel parts in the Jackson wheelbarrow are made in the usa, the wood handles could be either usa or imported, and the tire/wheel assembly is imported. The fasteners are also imported.

 

[djcslice]

 

[signcrafter]

I would get the Jackson with a steel tub from Home Depot for about $100. The Home Depot Jackson has a pneumatic tire, and the Lowes Jackson has a flat free tire. If you haul a lot of weight you do not want a flat free tire. I have found that the flat free tires get to squishy with a lot of weight on them, and then its harder to push the wheelbarrow. All of the steel parts in the Jackson wheelbarrow are made in the usa, the wood handles could be either usa or imported, and the tire/wheel assembly is imported. The fasteners are also imported.

The Jackson isn't sold at my HD but it says free ship to home, not sure if it would get trashed in shipping or not? I also found this one at menards made by truper, http://www.menards.com/main/outdoor...-contractor-wheelbarrow/p-1706871-c-13262.htm. It looks almost identical to the Jackson from what I can tell.

 

[bcradio]

I would get the Jackson with a steel tub from Home Depot for about $100. The Home Depot Jackson has a pneumatic tire, and the Lowes Jackson has a flat free tire. If you haul a lot of weight you do not want a flat free tire. I have found that the flat free tires get to squishy with a lot of weight on them, and then its harder to push the wheelbarrow. All of the steel parts in the Jackson wheelbarrow are made in the usa, the wood handles could be either usa or imported, and the tire/wheel assembly is imported. The fasteners are also imported.

You need the right flat free tire then.

I use one from Costco about 5 years old that is flat free tire and all steel handles. It is an amazing unit and has been worked harder than you could imagine. Don't know the brand though.

 

[mtnwkr]

As we get older we loose strength.

Consider a 2 wheeled wheelbarrow.

Parents bought a two wheeler plastic a while back. The plastic cracked killing it and I was glad. Two wheels are fine if you're on flat ground only. Fill that sucker full of split wood and drag it around and with two wheels the barrow rocks and leans with the terain. Worst design ever for a working tool.

 

[CWP1616L]

Have any of you guys tried the wheelbarrows with the no flat tires? I've never tried one. I like my wheelbarrow with the air tire because it gives me a little soft bounce after I going over a bump.

 

[jakemac]

Have any of you guys tried the wheelbarrows with the no flat tires? I've never tried one. I like my wheelbarrow with the air tire because it gives me a little soft bounce after I going over a bump.

I put one of the Arnold ones from the hardware store on one of my 'barrows 5 years ago and love it. I've had it loaded to the gils and have had no problem with it on any terrain. My other two wheelbarrows have their original wheels on them, and I have to check the air everytime I use them.

 

[Carsandtools]

As we get older we loose strength.

Consider a 2 wheeled wheelbarrow.

True, but it actually takes more strength to turn a loaded wheelbarrow when there are two wheels. It will also take more strength to push it since there will be at least twice as much ground resistance and twice as much rolling resistance. Storage and lifting of the empty two wheeled barrow will require more strength because it will be heavier than a single wheeled unit.

The main advantage of two wheels is stability while pushing but if stability is a problem, then you have overloaded it. The solution for getting older is to put less weight in the wheelbarrow and make more trips or get the grandchildren or neighbors to help.

 

[Coach James]

I ain't no wheelbarrow expert so I don't know model numbers or nothin'......
But
I see only Jackson brand wheelbarrows used on ******** construction sites.

******** construction...is that the same as gangsta construction?


Coach

 

[sc3013]

Anyone ever use a two wheeler? I need a new one and am leaning that way. Getting older every day, thank goodness.

 

[signcrafter]

Anyone ever use a two wheeler? I need a new one and am leaning that way. Getting older every day, thank goodness.

I think the two wheeled ones would work good on flat terrain but any slope and the wheelbarrow is going to be tipping which isn't a good thing.

 

[the gypsy]

In my opinion 2 wheeled wheelbarrows are good when you need to distribute the weight over a larger surface area, ex. like on a flat roof. Otherwise they are much harder to handle over rough terrain especially when carrying wet cement. A single wheel wheelbarrow will turn easier than 2 wheeled kind. I don't know how to explain it but here it goes, the weight is better controlled because it is equal on both arms in comparison with the other. When you are going over a side incline the weight shifts from one arm to the other (one arm will be fully extended and the other will be retracted somewhat).
I hope I painted a good picture, if not, well I apologize.

 

[Ign]

You need the right flat free tire then.

I use one from Costco about 5 years old that is flat free tire and all steel handles. It is an amazing unit and has been worked harder than you could imagine. Don't know the brand though.

I agree with this. I've loaded my flat-frees with as much as weight as *I* would ever want to handle and loved 'em. Dragging out the compressor EVERY TIME I want to use my wheelbarrows got old. I do prefer the flat-frees with a flatter tread profile and diamond tread pattern, as seen in my pictures above.