How you can determine on a wheelbarrow
Earlier than you buy take into accounts the subsequent:
- Measurement. Wheelbarrow functionality varies and is generally given in litres, although weight limits, given in kilogrammes may additionally be stated. Functionality tells you methods big a load a barrow can take care of nonetheless keep in mind to remember your particular person energy and the best way rather a lot you’ll elevate and carry comfortably. Take a look at the dimensions of your yard, notably whether it is smaller, along with the width of gateways and any slender alleys likelihood is you may should push it down.
- Wheels. A typical barrow has just one wheel positioned in course of the doorway of the tray nonetheless wheelbarrows may even have two, even 4. Typical one wheeled barrows are easier to manoeuvre throughout the yard and to raise and empty nonetheless they’re going to tip over merely, notably when turning with a heavy load or if crammed inconsistently. Two wheeled barrows are a lot much less susceptible to topple over nonetheless is likely to be a lot much less nimble and more durable to point out and elevate and dump.
- Tyres. These is likely to be robust rubber, plastic or pneumatic. Steady rubber or plastic wheels can’t puncture or go flat nonetheless they don’t seem to be as clear in use as an air crammed tyre and would possibly battle on very powerful ground. Pneumatic, air-filled tyres can puncture or start to go flat and want frequent pumping up however when saved correctly pumped up will they’re lighter and gives a far more comfortable, cushioned expertise over bumps and uneven ground.
- Provides. Trays are usually constructed from each plastic or metallic and which is best is decided by how rather a lot weight you’ll take care of and what you’re lifting. Metallic trays are sturdy and would possibly take care of further weight than plastic nonetheless they’re susceptible to rust (besides there’s a rust-resistant coating) and are heavy. They’re good for transporting bricks, rocks and big crops. Plastic trays are delicate and often cheaper than metal barrows. They may break up beneath heavy a whole lot, bend and scratch merely nonetheless are excellent for shifting prunings, weeds and compost.
- Handles. A standard wheelbarrow has two handles, which should be prolonged adequate to easily push, elevate and tip. Ergonomic bar sort handles are easier on the arms when pushing nonetheless have a lot much less leverage when dumping a load. Seek for grips which help to protect the fingers and may make the barrow easier to push and elevate. Tender rubber or plastic with ridges and grip are every comfortable and stop fingers slipping nonetheless study they’re fitted firmly.
How one can elevate safely
Sooner than loading the wheelbarrow, place it throughout the route you plan to push so that you simply don’t should elevate it and immediately flip. Within the occasion you are engaged on a hill degree the barrow each up or down the slope sooner than loading or the barrow will topple over. Load the tray evenly nonetheless with practically all the load in course of the doorway, over the wheel, so that it’s easier to raise. Always elevate a barrow with bent knees and straight arms and don’t be tempted to over fill it whatever the functionality it is in a position to carrying – elevate solely what you are comfortable with.
Biggest wheelbarrows at a glance
Biggest Buy: Lasher Ecobarrow
Biggest Buy: Vonhaus 78L wheelbarrow
Biggest Buy: Draper Yard Caddy
Walsall Endurance Black Metallic Heavy Obligation wheelbarrow
Draper Galvanised 65L wheelbarrow
Browse our select of the simplest wheelbarrows below.
5 of the simplest wheelbarrows
Lasher Ecobarrow
RRP: £144.95
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
Execs
- Good eco credentials
- Delicate and nimble
- Funneled tray for simple tipping
- Properly designed
Cons
This lightweight barrow is quick and simple to put collectively taking merely 20 minutes. Every the physique and metallic are constructed from surprisingly sturdy, 100% recycled polypropylene and nylon and it has a sturdy pneumatic tyre which provides a clear, cushioned expertise over all ground. It has two, u-shaped tipping bars for good stability when lifting and dumping the load and has some good additional choices. The 70 litre functionality UV-resistant tray is deep and funnelled to make tipping very straightforward and as well as permits it to fit in between crops in beds and borders. The toes have grips on the underside to keep up the barrow safe and the handles have been ergonomically fashioned to go well with the hand, although they’re clear and so lack the extra grip totally different barrows have. It’s on the prime of the worth scale for barrows in our examine nonetheless it’s good top quality, prolonged lasting and comes with a 5 12 months assure. It was awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Biggest Buy for Biggest All Spherical Barrow in our overview.
Study the whole Lasher Ecobarrow overview
Buy the Lasher Ecobarrow from Primrose, Amazon, Zoro and Manomano
Vonhaus 78L Wheelbarrow
RRP: £79.99
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
Execs
- Surprisingly lightweight
- Nimble and easy to utilize
- Straightforward to tip
- Properly balanced
Cons
With two wheels, a metallic physique and plastic tray this wheelbarrow is surprisingly lightweight. Whatever the double wheels it’s moreover nimble and copes merely with awkward corners they often really help to stabilise the barrow even when the 78 litre tray is completely loaded. Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Biggest Buy for Stability the pneumatic tyres give a clear, cushioned expertise, even over stony ground.
It is fiddly to assemble, notably to attach the tray and the instructions are difficult nonetheless as quickly because it’s constructed it’s correctly designed and constructed from good top quality provides. The looped take care of is an excellent operate, which not just like the on a regular basis two handles on a traditional barrow, allows you to push and steer with just one hand. Emptying the barrow may also be easy and it has a fragile grip on the take care of for additional comfort. It comes with a two 12 months assure.
Study the whole Vonhaus 78 litre wheelbarrow overview
Buy the Vonhaus 78L wheelbarrow from Vonhaus
Draper Yard Caddy
RRP: £28.95
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
Execs
- Lightweight nonetheless sturdy and balanced
- Easy to utilize and elevate into inexperienced bin or compost heap
- Good functionality for prunings and weeds
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Wheels battle over powerful ground
Easy to put collectively no matter a barely unclear handbook, this lightweight, basket-style barrow is sweet if area for storing is restricted and was awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Biggest Buy for Small Gardens. Comprised of sturdy plastic it has a fantastic device clip that may help you protect a brush or rake useful and feels correctly balanced with robust plastic wheels. It has a 65 litre functionality nonetheless is best for lighter a whole lot, and it struggles over powerful or moist grass. The take care of may be considerably low for taller prospects nonetheless we adore it’s straightforward, easy to fill and empty design and assume it’s good for pulling alongside you as you weed and prune. It comes with a generous lifetime assure.
Study the whole Draper Yard Caddy overview
Buy the Draper Yard Caddy from The Differ, Robert Dyas and Wayfair
Walsall Endurance Black Metallic Heavy Obligation Wheelbarrow
RRP: £54.00
Our rating: 4 out of 5
Execs
- Steady and highly effective
- Balanced and easy to manoeuvre
- Sturdy wheel
- In a position to go
Cons
- Broad for slender alleys and gates
- Indicators of rust
No assembly is required for this metallic wheelbarrow, which arrives in a position to go and it feels sturdy and safe in use. It’s comfortable, with plastic hand grips to cease slipping and present you how one can actually really feel in administration and the sturdy pneumatic wheel gives a clear expertise and is easy to push and swap. The tray is comparatively broad, so it’s worth checking this width whenever you’ve received an alleyway or gate to manoeuvre it by and the metallic did start to current indicators of rust after a few months in our examine. Nonetheless, it’s better than in a position to dealing with uncommon gardening duties along with carrying heavy an excessive amount of compost or gravel and has a generous 85 litre functionality.
Buy the Walsall Endurance Heavy Obligation Black Metallic Wheelbarrow from B & Q, Argos and Commerce-Degree
Draper Galvanised 65L wheelbarrow
RRP: £48.95
Our rating: 4 out of 5
Execs
- Properly balanced and comfortable
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
Cons
- Shallow tray
- Indicators of rust
This simple, main wheelbarrow is sweet for frequently gardening jobs pretty than growth or landscaping work. It’s easy to assemble, taking about half-hour to put collectively and feels correctly balanced and comfortable to push with good delicate grips on the handles. The barrow moreover stands up correctly when not in use. It feels robust although it did current indicators of wear and tear and tear and tear along with rust after our 12 months’s examine and the 65 litre functionality tray, at merely 22cm deep is shallower than totally different fashions. It has a pneumatic tyre and substitute wheels might be discovered. It comes with a generous lifetime assure.
Buy the Draper galvanised 65L wheelbarrow from Amazon, Yard Avenue and Machine Mart
How we examined wheelbarrows
To see which wheelbarrows would possibly take care of the requires of a diffusion of gardening duties, the BBC Gardeners’ World Journal workforce examined completely totally different wheelbarrows all via 2021, observing how they fared carrying prunings and weeds, lugging compost and bricks and often lightening the load as they labored throughout the yard. They’ve been assessed in response to the subsequent requirements with equal marks attributed to each:
- Ease of Use. We checked out assembly, weight, supplies and design along with manoeuvrability, wheel, stability and stability.
- Comfort. This assessed how comfortable it is to push and elevate, the dimensions of handles and any ergonomics and grips.
- Effectivity. We focussed on energy, sturdiness and rust resistance and the utmost weight prohibit.
- Value for Money. Thought-about all of the above plus any explicit choices, RRP and assure.
For further information on our testing course of see How we Overview
This overview was last updated in November 2021. We apologise if one thing has modified in price or availability.