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New Wheelbarrow - Help me decide.

cjarvis

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Aug 30, 2017
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I'm in the market for a new wheel barrow as my old one has finally rusted through. I'm looking to replace it with similar with a 6 CF steel tub and these are my options:

Jackson

Husky

True Temper

Kobalt

I like the idea of a flat-free tire and steel handles because those are two fewer things that will require maintenance.

I did notice that the stands on the Jackson are heavier gauge than the True Temper or the Husky. Is there any reason to pick one over the other, or are they all going to be approximately equal?
 
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Tdbo

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Dec 20, 2009
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Central Ohio
I would say at that pricepoint, they are going to be comparable.
I would decide by price, or shop for a sale.
Flat free tire is a good option.
Another worth considering is the dual wheel. I have enjoyed that feature on the Craftsman that I have had for almost 20 years.
 

Tdbo

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Caa311

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The single wheel is for a reason and on jobsites 99 % will have that. My brother cuts down trees and perfers two wheels. He's on flat turf moving heavy logs.
 

Tools4Me

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Jun 22, 2021
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I currently have two blue Jackson wheelbarrows. They are my most used wheelbarrows and the only wheelbarrows I use for hauling dirt, wet cement, bricks, rocks, green firewood rounds, or anything heavy. They are noticeably stronger than other wheelbarrows I have tried and they flex less during use. The extensions on the back ends of the support legs are a nice feature, because they make the wheelbarrow less likely to want to tip backwards (handles to the ground) if I have to park the wheelbarrow on an upward slope. The knobbier tires also grip better on slopes that might be slippery. I top off the air in my tires once each spring and that's all they ever need. Never-flat tires are nice in theory, but I have yet to find a version that works well all of the time for heavier duty jobs. They are often too hard and/or narrow, so the tire gets bogged down easily in softer ground or it is more likely to make compression tracks in softer soil when hauling something heavy. Alternately, the tires are sometimes too soft and spongy so the tire itself compresses too much when carrying heavy loads (like dirt) which increases the drag you feel while pushing the wheelbarrow. In my opinion, never-flat tires are only a good choice for light/medium duty wheelbarrows that rarely have more than 200 pounds of weight in the tub.

My second most used wheelbarrow is a 10ft3 plastic tubbed dual wheel model. I don't remember what brand it is because all visible branding disappeared years ago (I'm thinking it's True Temper). It is a great light/medium duty wheelbarrow for doing general yard work in landscaped areas. The extra large tub volume is perfect for hauling leaves, bags of fertilizer, pruned branches, grass clippings, yard tools, bark, wood chips, seasoned firewood, etc. I like having dual wheels on that wheelbarrow because they help prevent the larger wheelbarrow tub from tipping over too easily if bumped. That being said, dual wheels are pretty useless for narrow single track type walking trails, rockier areas, or for working on sideways slopes, because it's harder to avoid the holes or bumps and the wheelbarrow will always tip to match the slope you are walking on.
 

plinker

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Northern Wi
I have a Jackson, pretty solid unit, got it probably around '10. No issues other then the typical tube issues and the flat free tire it had for years rotted out and I've yet to replace it (tube tire back on). I'd buy another as long as it's the same build quality. I did not use the bolts it came with for the tub, I got some hex bolts instead. They got replaced a couple years ago, dont remember why.

Side note, IME, the flat free tires dont do as well on sand as tube tires do, but the flat free bit is a solid improvement.
 

mike93lx

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I have a gorilla cart as well but bought a wheelbarrow for concrete and dumping less than a full load of something like stone or mulch.
The cart can move a lot of stuff but is a pain in the *** to dump as you have to shovel a bunch of it out
 

LeeG

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Phoenix, AZ
I have a Jackson that I use infrequently. It gets stored outside. I painted all but the last 12" of the handle, and that part I keep treated with boiled linseed oil (as I do all my outdoor tools with wood handles). If I'm not going to be using it for a while, I'll hit the interior of the tub with blue spray paint to keep the rust down.

Lee
 
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MongoTA

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Mar 10, 2018
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CT
I have two Jackson steel tubs. One is about ready for replacement, the tub is worn through in several spots due to mixing concrete. I had a non-Jacksn, I forget the brand but it was bought at a box store. It didn't hold up well. I ended up welding the frame together.
For me, Jackson is best.
Pneumatic tire is best for all surfaces, and they give a bit, making pushing the wheelbarrow easier and smoother. Less likely to bump bump bump and jostle dry goods out of a full tub.
Single tire if you're going up and down slopes where the slope is steep enough where you'll want to navigate them on a diagonal.
 

Odd-job

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+1 for the Jackson (if I could only have one) - would replace the wood handles with metal ones which was the weak point IMHO.

Also agree the two wheeled gorilla cart is a good complement. Not as likely to tip over on flat surfaces, deals with uneven loads better. My kids and wife use that one more. It is harder to pickup though since its lower to the ground and has less leverage from the handles.
 
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cjarvis

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Thanks for the advice. I'll probably just get the Jackson and add a coat of paint to the wood handles. I don't use one that often and it will be stored outside, under an overhanging shed roof. My biggest complaints about my current wheelbarrow are that the tire is usually flat when I need it and the handles tend to weather excessively. Too bad the Jackson wheelbarrows with steel handles are twice as much as the ones with wood handles...

Tip: Having seen all of the wheelbarrows with the bottoms beaten out of them by goons chucking rocks and concrete in them, I added a piece of OSB, shaped to match the tub, under the tub of mine. 23 years later, the bottom is still flat.
 

F-22

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Thanks for the advice. I'll probably just get the Jackson and add a coat of paint to the wood handles. I don't use one that often and it will be stored outside, under an overhanging shed roof. My biggest complaints about my current wheelbarrow are that the tire is usually flat when I need it and the handles tend to weather excessively. Too bad the Jackson wheelbarrows with steel handles are twice as much as the ones with wood handles...

Tip: Having seen all of the wheelbarrows with the bottoms beaten out of them by goons chucking rocks and concrete in them, I added a piece of OSB, shaped to match the tub, under the tub of mine. 23 years later, the bottom is still flat.
Try searching for a motorcycle/scooter tire and tube. I have 4 wheelbarrows and once made the mistake of buying the "generic" chinese wheelbarrow tire and tube at a local hardware store. It was flat in a week so I did it again, and it was again flat in a week.

Michelin S83 makes it in a 3.50x8 size. Continental LB8 comes in 3.50x8 and 4.00x8 sizes. These two are the most common sizes on wheelbarrows. I expect even chinese scooter tires are miles better than wheelbarrow tires. I just got old worn out scooter tyres for free in the early 2000's at a tyre shop, most are the continental style (same thread pattern for sure). Never had a flat since. The old Vespas had the same sizes.
 

Davefr

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Try searching for a motorcycle/scooter tire and tube. I have 4 wheelbarrows and once made the mistake of buying the "generic" chinese wheelbarrow tire and tube at a local hardware store. It was flat in a week so I did it again, and it was again flat in a week.

Michelin S83 makes it in a 3.50x8 size. Continental LB8 comes in 3.50x8 and 4.00x8 sizes. These two are the most common sizes on wheelbarrows. I expect even chinese scooter tires are miles better than wheelbarrow tires. I just got old worn out scooter tyres for free in the early 2000's at a tyre shop, most are the continental style (same thread pattern for sure). Never had a flat since. The old Vespas had the same sizes.
That's great information!!
 

Crabman

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@cjarvis

My biggest complaints about my current wheelbarrow are that the tire is usually flat

I used to hate that too. But then cordless inflators arrived on the scene, making it quick and easy to resolve. As long as the tire would stay up for a day or two, I kept going. I recently gave up on my probably 25-30 year old original tire when it would only stay up for a couple of hours. HF or TSC will sell a new one cheap. I did HF since I was driving by it anyway. I think they ride better than solid.
 
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cjarvis

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That's great information!!
Indeed it is! Thanks for that F22!


@cjarvis



I used to hate that too. But then cordless inflators arrived on the scene, making it quick and easy to resolve. As long as the tire would stay up for a day or two, I kept going. I recently gave up on my probably 25-30 year old original tire when it would only stay up for a couple of hours. HF or TSC will sell a new one cheap. I did HF since I was driving by it anyway. I think they ride better than solid.
Good idea. I don't have a cordless inflator, but I do have a 5 gal. air tank. I think I'll put the air tank in the garden shed for this, and lawnmower tires. The mower lives in the shed, but the wheelbarrow will be kept behind the shed under a 5' overhang.
 

dutchgray

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I'd look for an all welded one.

US wheelbarrows look so odd. Here's an Italian one (50-100€ depending on size), with external bearings at the sides. Simple, strong, light and practical:

030982.jpg
Europe has a maximum capacity rule for wheelbarrows (in commercial use), which limits their size greatly, America has no such rules so its wheelbarrows are all ridiculously massive.
They also don't appear to have made any real design changes in about a century.
 

Crabman

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@cjarvis

Good idea. I don't have a cordless inflator, but I do have a 5 gal. air tank. I think I'll put the air tank in the garden shed for this

Will work also! I have wheelbarrow, gas pressure washer, couple of hand trucks, two small boat trailers, 18' utility trailer and 24' box trailer, etc., so I have a lot to inflate. The convenience of taking the air to the tire is great. Have a M12 one that is now relegated to smaller duty (like the wheelbarrow) as I splurged on the M18 which is awesome for the trucks and big trailers.
 

bdbecker

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Thanks for the advice. I'll probably just get the Jackson...

Good choice. I've had that same one for several years now, no regrets at all.

If you have to assemble it yourself, take your time and read the instructions carefully. I can't remember exactly what the issue was at the moment, but I do remember being a little frustrated because I had to backtrack a few steps when I was putting it together. I usually do pretty well following assembly instructions, so it kind of threw me for a loop.
 

F-22

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Europe has a maximum capacity rule for wheelbarrows (in commercial use), which limits their size greatly, America has no such rules so its wheelbarrows are all ridiculously massive.
They also don't appear to have made any real design changes in about a century.
Is this some joke? :)

I seriously doubt there are EU wheelbarrow regulations?!?
 

dutchgray

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Is this some joke? :)

I seriously doubt there are EU wheelbarrow regulations?!?
There is, all ******* in the manual handling health and safety regulations.
Most builders wheelbarrows are 90 litre capacity but you can get up to about 120 litre (which would work out to be about 3 or 4 cubic foot)
The big wheelbarrows you can get (massive plastic ones and twin wheels) you will find are all listed for Horticulture or Equestrian use and not construction.
 

F-22

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There is, all ******* in the manual handling health and safety regulations.
Most builders wheelbarrows are 90 litre capacity but you can get up to about 120 litre (which would work out to be about 3 or 4 cubic foot)
The big wheelbarrows you can get (massive plastic ones and twin wheels) you will find are all listed for Horticulture or Equestrian use and not construction.
I can buy a 180l wheelbarrow. But yes, for construction most are definitely in the 80-120l size.

I'd be interested to see a person who's able to push a 180l wheelbarrow of rocks or concrete on a construction site for a few hours.

I can see the Jackson wheelbarrows are rated at ~170l. Is what is counted to rate the volume differen? Cause the 180l wheelbarrow they sell here is comically huge and the Jackson seems similar to regular ~120l wheelbarrows here.

0018478_samokolnica-enokolesna-180-l-lv1.jpg

EU might give some recommendations but I doubt they define wheelbarrow sizes - and Europe is another thing entirely...
 

Samuel D

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I travel to Romania fairly often where my wife (who is from there) has a rural summer house. Her father is gone now but left an ancient wheelbarrow that I’ve been using. It’s a very useful design that made me realise a couple of things about wheelbarrows. I wish I had a photo to show.

It’s heavily constructed from welded thick sheet. Crude. Fine.

But a couple of things stand out. The first is that the handles are widely spaced. This makes a big difference when tipping or just manoeuvring on a slope. You can really throw this thing around with a heavy load.

The other thing is that it has a huge balloon tyre, pneumatic of course, far larger than the tyres of the barrows discussed in this thread. Because it’s large and low pressure, it practically never needs to be pumped up. I mean, it goes for years without wanting air.

It’s unbelievable how that big pneumatic tyre glides over rough terrain, up sharp steps like kerbs, and across deep vegetation. You can push it through long grass like it’s not there. And even on flat concrete, the rolling resistance is much lower than with the average wheelbarrow. It’s amazing.

It has convinced me that not only will I always want a pneumatic tyre, I’ll want the biggest one I can find. Solid tyres give a rougher ride, but the bigger problem is that they have high rolling resistance. Much higher resistance. That’s why Dunlop invented his air-filled tyre, and he was only concerned with bicycles on hard ground. A wheelbarrow on soft ground or vegetation benefits even more from pneumatics.
 

Odd-job

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That Gorilla steel wheelbarrow with the second wheel conversion option looks pretty nice. I do wonder if it gets the wheels wide enough to eliminate the tipping hazard?

Here's another option for the OP. Saw it at my local Ace. Wellmade - USA made. Metal handles. Best of all it eliminates the brace the Jackson has that always seems to catch on curbs and lips. I think 90% of the time I have lost a load was due to that darn brace catching in the front of the wheel. I might need a 3rd wheelbarrow now...

 
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cjarvis

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I went ahead and bought the Jackson. I’m in the process of giving the handles a seal coat of spar polyurethane before giving them a couple of coats of spray paint to protect the wood. Between that and keeping it covered behind my shed, it should last at least a couple of decades.
 
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