Still near $500 to L48.
wheel barrow recommendations
- Thread starter BTL-A4
- Start date
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Yea, I did say it was expensive in my original post.
Maybe save some shipping cost if you have a decent feed store nearby that sells them
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Maybe buy a clapped out concrete buggy and restore it?This one woulda been awesome! Only $2400 ("used, like new"). FB marketplace in Santa Paula, Ca.
$270 locally for the Rubbermaid version. 7.5 cuft. I like the handle style on a traditional wheelbarrow.
My wife wanted one of these just after we were married 20 years ago. It was over 200 dollars back then and I though it was incredibly expensive but it has held up wonderfully. I have moved tons of horse poo(4 of them), gravel and firewood over the years. Easy to dump when you want and doesnt when you don't want it to like a traditional wheel barrow. It has set outside to much as well but the plastic tub is still going strong.
Stable Mate smart cart.
I don't regret spending the money now with the service I have got from it.
It only cost a little more to go first class.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
I have not used one of those but have used the rubbermaid carts in the factory, and they held up surprisingly well.
The stable mate does have a tube steel frame that takes all the stress.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Crow Horse
Well-known member
A,M Leonard.....
At 6'2" I would think the metal brace across the wooden handles in front of the wheel would catch on the ground when you push it.
It did on mine, so I converted it to 2 wheels with a piece of 5/8" diameter rod for the axle and a pair of new wheels.
After the wheel install, I cut off the wheel end of the handles and move that cross brace back between the new wheels.
As far as the bigger wheelbarrow being too heavy, there's no rule that says you have to fill it!
The only complaint I have heard about the 2 wheeled version is they make wider turns, that's something I can live with because of the added stability, that, and it screams "amateur" to those who see you using it...
I suggest you go to Home Depot or Lowes and test drive any and all wheelbarrows they have on display.
That's what I would do.
jmo,
.
Edit: OP read where you bought a 2 whld. wheelbarrow and noticed it had some flex.
Good choice.
I found tack welding all the bolt together joints stops most flexing:
so, there's that.
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If you plan on working on any inclines, a single wheeled one has the major advantage cause you can keep it upright when going sideways. Also, you can ride a single wheel wheelbarrow up on a single plank. When we were pouring the concrete for some floor in our house years ago, I remember we set up a frame and planks and a pulley so one person would drive the wheelbarrow up the plank and another person would hook up a rope on the front and helped pull the concrete filled wheelbarrow up the plank via the pulley.The only complaint I have heard about the 2 wheeled version is they make wider turns, that's something I can live with because of the added stability, that, and it screams "amateur" to those who see you using it...
If you only need it on flat land, two wheels are probably fine or even better, but the single wheel version is a lot more versatile in my opinion.
The straight handle design is still so odd to me, if you can find a metal handle with a curve I'd definitely suggest you go for that! It looks like if you tip it too far forward, the front brace would quickly hit the ground (especially if you are pushing it uphill, or over any rocks or shallow stairs). Also, you can weld the metal one together so it's not juse screws holding it together. I guess they're mostly made with screws to be cheaper to ship around?
OK
Not sure why you quoted my post to add your wheelbarrow comments.
Most homeowners don't push a wheelbarrow uphill, across a slope, up a plank, full of concrete.
So, yea, why I said an amateur, as the OP seems to be a homeowner moving around the usual yard stuff.
Not sure why you echoed my welding comment, maybe just some affirmation, and curved handles, meh.
jmo,
.
Edited to add: jmo= just my opinion, nothing more.
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I mixed the concrete just fine. It occurs to me that the bigger tub is deeper, so when you put less in it, the material has more room to slosh around and not go over the side. I looked at a smaller one, but it was too shallow; when I pushed it, it looked like everything was gonna fall out.
I had to tighten all the bolts, including reinstalling the cross brace on the legs. Once I tightened everything up, it was less stiff.
The two wheels are nice, but I did need more room to maneuver. However, I'm just a DIY/homeowner living on a relatively flat parcel, so I think the 2-wheeler will serve me well.
I had to tighten all the bolts, including reinstalling the cross brace on the legs. Once I tightened everything up, it was less stiff.
The two wheels are nice, but I did need more room to maneuver. However, I'm just a DIY/homeowner living on a relatively flat parcel, so I think the 2-wheeler will serve me well.
Sorry if you read my reply wrong, it was not meant as ill-natured in any way. I just wanted to add my thoughts.
Ton ton
Well-known member
I have had bad luck with Lowe's 6 cubic feet wheelbarrows. I like Scenic Roads brand made in Lancaster county,PA.
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The Tool Tyrant
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I absolutely love my Rubbermaid 7.5 cu. ft. commercial grade 2 wheeled poly cart. It rolls so easily with it's large 20" diameter wheels and the wheel placement allows you to balance the CG of your load fore & aft. I can push and steer with one hand if on flat terrain (leaving one hand free to hold my beer!)
I'll NEVER buy another single wheeled wheelbarrow again. I've loaded it to 2 friends, which then also bought their own. It's like sliced bread man!
I'll NEVER buy another single wheeled wheelbarrow again. I've loaded it to 2 friends, which then also bought their own. It's like sliced bread man!
Joemctag
Well-known member
Agree. Ace and Kobalt are, or almost are, contractor grade, like Jackson. Nobody’s yet mentioned that 2-wheelers will rock from side to side on any soft surface like grass, in a most annoying way! Also, a real wheelbarrow can go up a plank ramp and is eminently maneuverable. You just need to grab those handles and set your mind to it. Wheelbarrows are used on construction sites to bring tools and stuff to where you’re working and back, also.
It’s also cool to know that my Irish ancestors used them. And maybe my German ancestors perfected them.
Solid (not pneumatic) tires: only way to go.
Also, we all have to learn the hard way: If you leave your wheelbarrow out in the rain all year, you’ll ruin it.
I use some really old scooter tires (I think Pirellis, so probably from a Vespa) on mine, I maybe pump them once per year or once every two years. The wheelbarrow-specific tyres are made much worse.
Jeff C
Well-known member
IMO, there’s a reason you see these in the truck or trailer of ~95% of professional landscapers. Buy it once and store it out of the weather and be done with it.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
If you plan to keep it for the rest of your life, get one with two wheels !
WWheeler
Well-known member
I bought this two wheel Craftsman wheelbarrow sometime summer of 2020 because it was on sale at the time. It looked nice but I now wish I hadn't.
That first summer I only used it for tool cleanup at the end of each day while building a covered deck and putting in a 12' double gate so I can get equipment in and out the backyard. It worked great as a quick clean-up cart.
This summer was the first time I went to use it as a wheelbarrow and I went to mix some concrete in it to set some fence posts and while pouring water and stirring with a shovel there was a really loud noise as it put a ~2' crack all across the bottom of the wheelbarrow. There were 3 of us left standing there scratching our heads as to WTF just happened. Best guess is whatever plastic it's made of is highly allergic to the alkalinity of the concrete. I had to use my ~ 20yr old one wheel plastic wheelbarrow to finish the job. That cheap wheelbarrow's seen more bags of concrete than my local HD has ever had in stock at one time.
^ This turned out to be one of the worst purchases I've ever made.
I haven't chucked it because I plan on unbolting it, plastic welding the crack, putting a plate of stainless (scrap from work) under it and bolting it back up. Should still be good for some uses but TBH I don't have room or time for a wheelbarrow that can't handle a bit of concrete. I'll probably sell it at our next city wide garage sale.
That first summer I only used it for tool cleanup at the end of each day while building a covered deck and putting in a 12' double gate so I can get equipment in and out the backyard. It worked great as a quick clean-up cart.
This summer was the first time I went to use it as a wheelbarrow and I went to mix some concrete in it to set some fence posts and while pouring water and stirring with a shovel there was a really loud noise as it put a ~2' crack all across the bottom of the wheelbarrow. There were 3 of us left standing there scratching our heads as to WTF just happened. Best guess is whatever plastic it's made of is highly allergic to the alkalinity of the concrete. I had to use my ~ 20yr old one wheel plastic wheelbarrow to finish the job. That cheap wheelbarrow's seen more bags of concrete than my local HD has ever had in stock at one time.
^ This turned out to be one of the worst purchases I've ever made.
I haven't chucked it because I plan on unbolting it, plastic welding the crack, putting a plate of stainless (scrap from work) under it and bolting it back up. Should still be good for some uses but TBH I don't have room or time for a wheelbarrow that can't handle a bit of concrete. I'll probably sell it at our next city wide garage sale.
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duneslider
Well-known member
I bought one at costco about 20 years ago that is all metal and has held up like a champ. The tub is starting to get beat up and I might need to find a replacement. There are a lot of big rocks in our new place and the wheel barrow has taken some serious abuse the last two years. I definitely recommend an all metal wheel barrow based on this experience.
I had one of these Scott's yard carts for many years:
It hauled at least a hundred cubic yards of much, many small boulders (? - big 'ol rocks), and all kinds of stuff over the years. The metal arms rusted where they bolted to the tub. I wish I'd thought to check up on them - very handy and easy.
Unfortunately they're discontinued and I didn't find anything I liked that wasn't huge money. I replaced it recently with the Gorilla 7cy four-wheel dump carts, which seems OK but not quite as dead-simple/easy as the old Scotts. A version of that with a 25% bigger tub would have been great.
It hauled at least a hundred cubic yards of much, many small boulders (? - big 'ol rocks), and all kinds of stuff over the years. The metal arms rusted where they bolted to the tub. I wish I'd thought to check up on them - very handy and easy.
Unfortunately they're discontinued and I didn't find anything I liked that wasn't huge money. I replaced it recently with the Gorilla 7cy four-wheel dump carts, which seems OK but not quite as dead-simple/easy as the old Scotts. A version of that with a 25% bigger tub would have been great.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I like not having to lift with my gorilla cart, but that big tub makes it really easy to put too much weight in it. If the tires aren't pumped up well, that makes it even harder. I wish they were flat freeI had one of these Scott's yard carts for many years:
It hauled at least a hundred cubic yards of much, many small boulders (? - big 'ol rocks), and all kinds of stuff over the years. The metal arms rusted where they bolted to the tub. I wish I'd thought to check up on them - very handy and easy.
Unfortunately they're discontinued and I didn't find anything I liked that wasn't huge money. I replaced it recently with the Gorilla 7cy four-wheel dump carts, which seems OK but not quite as dead-simple/easy as the old Scotts. A version of that with a 25% bigger tub would have been great.
duneslider
Well-known member
I also have a gorilla cart and have a love hate with it. It is definitely harder to pull around loaded compared to pushing a wheel barrow but the stability is nice. I tend to use it more for the lighter loads like mulch, weeds, grass, etc. If I am moving heavier stuff the wheel barrow is much better. Gotta keep the wheels pumped up for sure!
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I really like it for large volumes of brush and branches. I made a little stake body for mine that let's me really stack it high
duneslider
Well-known member
I need to do that! We mostly just use it for brush and weeds now and that would really up the amount we could get in.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I was able to do the whole thing using I think two 6' cedar fence pickets. One for each side and one for the end with the handle
I didn't see this when I bought mine, but might have gone for this over the 4-wheel...
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Ooh, fancyI didn't see this when I bought mine, but might have gone for this over the 4-wheel...
Jim_No_Garage
Well-known member
For mulch I prefer a plastic tub as it's lighter. I keep it in the shed when it's not in use - out of the sun.
I have 3 steel models - one of them a vintage Crown Top Craftsman where the handle grips are 50% larger than the modern handles. Beefy handles!
Jim
I have 3 steel models - one of them a vintage Crown Top Craftsman where the handle grips are 50% larger than the modern handles. Beefy handles!
Jim