Old Classic Flat Bottom Wheelbarrow?
- Thread starter Beemer
- Start date
many years ago, my neighbor had one that was rusted to all get out, riveted together , with a spoked steel wheel
Watching this thread with interest! I've got a wheel barrel from my FIL's estate, but it's old old old and needs to be replaced. I've repaired some cracks in the tub, straightened and repainted, but I need a new one. Hopefully there's a USA-made one that won't crash my credit score. 
finn
Well-known member
The picture looks like my wife’s wheelbarrow. I think her dad bought it from the local hardware store in about 1970, give or take.
Had to replace the inner tube a couple of years ago. If I knew it was a classic, I wouldn’t let her leave it propped up against the shed year round.
Had to replace the inner tube a couple of years ago. If I knew it was a classic, I wouldn’t let her leave it propped up against the shed year round.
oh, now that you've uploaded a picture, that shouldn't be too hard to source .
Company called Erie used to make them locally here
Company called Erie used to make them locally here
4 Cu. Ft. Wheelbarrow, Steel Tray & Wood Handles - Standard Tire
4 Cu. Ft. Wheelbarrow, Steel Tray & Wood Handles - Standard Tire
danielbuck
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2014
- Messages
- 921
hah, I have one in my yard that looks like it's 75 years old. I put a new tire on it, and some steel bracing on the bottom, and it's still working great! It doesn't hold water due to some rusted out spots, but it holds alot of weight!
Thanks for the name.
WWheeler
Well-known member
True Value near me has a 'Union Tools S4U30' that matches the OP's description. I think it normally runs about $75-$100 or so.
I'm not seeing many options showing as in stock online though.
Here's one on ebay with free shipping: https://www.ebay.com/itm/285672038500 Only $2,181.64 lol
I'm not seeing many options showing as in stock online though.
Here's one on ebay with free shipping: https://www.ebay.com/itm/285672038500 Only $2,181.64 lol
I'll have to try to find those to look at but the new hardware store ones (Ace/True Temper) have very thing tubs and plastic wedges; not like the old ones so I am skeptical about new ones.
4 Cu. Ft. Wheelbarrow, Steel Tray & Wood Handles - Standard Tire
4 Cu. Ft. Wheelbarrow, Steel Tray & Wood Handles - Standard Tireseymourmidwest.com
RTM
Well-known member
I see wheelbarrows at GS where people have a little property, 1/4 acre, not enough for a tractor, but too far to drag a bag of topsoil.
No decent ones on our local CL
No decent ones on our local CL
sz0k30
Well-known member
How did you get a picture of my wheelbarrow?Trying to hunt down an old fashioned flat bottom wheelbarrow.
They were generally all steel, low capacity, maybe 4 cu. ft. and were not bathtub shaped like all the current ones.
Any ideas where to look?
RTM
Well-known member
Garage Sale
RTM
Well-known member
Same place I did.
Vintage Wheelbarrow
Description: vintage wheelbarrowFill out our form to place an order or email us for questions at [email protected] To Inventory Page
outofthedustrentals.com
four.cycle
Well-known member
The wheelbarrow in the OP's photo is the same wheelbarrow I own right now. Bought it at ACE Hardware about 6 or 8 years ago for $44 out the door on sale.
Caught ya not lookin
I looked at theirs a few days ago and the metal pan is very thin and flexes to thumb pressure. It's not so much the load that concerns but weathering.
Probably confused but does standard Jackson steel wheelbarrow work for you? I have three of them and they're pretty good as far as wheelbarrows go. They seem to be available at all the big box and Ace hardware stores in my neck of the woods.
77thor
Well-known member
I've got an old one like that with steel handles & frame rather than wood as in that pic.....
I'd sell it to you if you were close.
I'd sell it to you if you were close.
whateg01
Well-known member
I'm trying to figure out what OP means by bathtub shaped. Don't most wheelbarrows look like that? Ace? Lowe's? Everywhere I see wheelbarrows, they look like that. Or they look like that but with two weels.
Thanks, but not close. Shipping a wheelbarrow is a killer on the wallet.
If the weather would ever agree that it's Spring here maybe the tag sales would get going but so far nothing is stirring.
Exactly right. The new ones could be used as a wash tub because of the shape now which is lots of sloping surfaces and very deep.
I am guessing that the same injection molding plant might be making all the tubs.
I see that the "Ames" seems to make Ace, True Temper and Jackson so that might be why you see them as all the same.
The cheaper inexpensive vintage ones had a significant flat area in the pan and were not deep (maybe 8 to 10").
They often had wedges under the pan to level the flat area when they were sitting on the ground.
They look more like a mortar pan than a modern wheelbarrow tub.
My Brentwood wheelbarrow is somewhere between the vintage and the current shapes which serves well for some things but we need a bigger flat area for certain garden and yard jobs. Unfortunately the current Brentwoods appear updated now too.
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whateg01
Well-known member
So you want a shallow wheelbarrow? That's makes a lot more sense.
www.acehardware.com
And the smallest, shallowest one that popped up.
True Temper 4 cu. ft. Poly Wheelbarrow PW4UT24 - The Home Depot
True Temper - 4 cu. ft. Poly Wheelbarrow - Features a seamless steel tray, steel undercarriage and strong seal coated hardwood handles. It is big enough to handle large loads but small enough for easy
www.homedepot.com
Ace Steel Residential Wheelbarrow 4 cu ft Mfr# 4S-LS-ACE - Ace Hardware
From mulching to general cleanup, this 4 cu. ft. Ace wheelbarrow is the perfect size for lots of jobs around the yard. It's small and nimble for versatile use but large enough to knock out arduous tasks. The lightweight steel tray and steel undercarriage is designed to provide years of...
www.acehardware.com
And the smallest, shallowest one that popped up.
I've seen all of those, except the last kiddy one that is useless, and the pans are thin when new so they won't hold up to the weather.So you want a shallow wheelbarrow? That's makes a lot more sense.
True Temper 4 cu. ft. Poly Wheelbarrow PW4UT24 - The Home Depot
True Temper - 4 cu. ft. Poly Wheelbarrow - Features a seamless steel tray, steel undercarriage and strong seal coated hardwood handles. It is big enough to handle large loads but small enough for easywww.homedepot.com
Ace Steel Residential Wheelbarrow 4 cu ft Mfr# 4S-LS-ACE - Ace Hardware
From mulching to general cleanup, this 4 cu. ft. Ace wheelbarrow is the perfect size for lots of jobs around the yard. It's small and nimble for versatile use but large enough to knock out arduous tasks. The lightweight steel tray and steel undercarriage is designed to provide years of...
And the smallest, shallowest one that popped up.
Thanks for the hunt but that's why I mentioned the interest in a vintage one.
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RTM
Well-known member
I understand completely. These were great for moving flats of plants around the yard, moving pavers, etc, which don't fit well on the bottom of the deep ones. I now use a four wheel garden wagon for those tasks, and keep the wheelbarrows for bulk stuff like mulch.
Plus the shallow ones are great for giving two kids a ride around the yard
A.M. Leonard has steel tub versions that might fit the bill. Not cheap, but very well built and parts are available. They run decent sales and free shipping deals pretty regularly.
www.amleo.com
Wheelbarrows | Yard Carts & Parts | AM Leonard
Shop our large selection of light duty to commercial grade wheelbarrows and yard carts to haul those heavy items around. Save with Pro Plus!
www.amleo.com
Shiftless
Well-known member
I see them around here all rusted out with rotted and missing handles, filled with dirt and flowering plants. Yard art.
mv213
Well-known member
I hate wheelbarrows. I switched to a Radio Flyer 2-wheel garden cart in the ‘80s and never looked back. When it finally rusted out a couple of years ago, I got a 7 cubic foot 2-wheel Gorilla Cart. So much more stable and easier to handle than a wheelbarrow.
Attachments
Two wheels for beginners.
Just kidding.
I thing a Gorilla cart (4 wheeled for flat tray) might end up being a solution.
Regardless of what you find whether flat bottomed or vintage or 4 wheeled cart the pneumatic tires will have a better ride when new but too often the old/aged tires are found flat or dry rotted. Switched all mine to flat-free tires and now they’re always ready to work.
Do you like that hand grip shape?
I noticed that they make open grips too.
It does seem than having the wheels under the load would be of advantage.
The zoom features on modern cell phones are amazing!
Don't buy an Ace one. While working there I assembled many of those (assembly was free so alot of customers had us do it) and can tell you they look nice but are China and cheap.
Good idea! I've got one of their stores being built fairly close to me, and needed an excuse to check them out when they open.
steel 35
Well-known member
My Wife has one like the first picture, rotten handles and all;
I put two tires up front long ago.
I put two tires up front long ago.
A M Leonard sells good stuff. But it’s not cheap. Is this what you are looking for?
https://www.amleo.com/leonard-6-cub...tray-wheelbarrow-with-flat-free-tire/p/FWBST6
https://www.amleo.com/leonard-6-cub...tray-wheelbarrow-with-flat-free-tire/p/FWBST6
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Make a wood one....
whateg01
Well-known member
He did say he wanted old classic!
mv213
Well-known member
I wasn’t sure I would like it, but after using it I actually do. The make open grips and I think the even make a crossbar grip. I’ll just stick with the loops.