Wheelbarrows
How to find the right wheelbarrow for your job
Either for your garden or on-site, a wheelbarrow is essential in helping you move heavy loads with ease and reducing your effort. At ITS, we stock wheelbarrows in various sizes up to XL, motorised wheelbarrows and garden trolleys/carts for every season, job, and use (as well as replacement wheels). Depending on the capacity and how much weight you need to move, we can help you choose a steel or plastic wheelbarrow, perfect for your needs.
USING WHEELBARROWS FOR DIY JOBS
Every DYI enthusiast will be familiar with the post-job mess. We all do. And cleanup is always the worst part.
Wheelbarrows allow you to efficiently get rid of any offcuts or unused materials quickly and painlessly.
You may also use a plastic wheelbarrow to mix cement, which ends up saving loads of time.
Not only do you save time using a wheelbarrow to take debris away, but you can also use it to bring materials to your workshop.
USING WHEELBARROWS FOR GARDEN WORK
When gardening a wheelbarrow has many uses such as transporting grass, branches, stumps leaves, soil, and many more garden-associated materials. Wheelbarrows are great when you need to refresh your bark supply as well, giving the tool an incredible number of tasks that it is helpful for.
A plastic wheelbarrow will do all of the above and do it well. However, there may be a better tool for the job. When using a wheelbarrow for garden work we’d recommend a garden cart rather than a traditional wheelbarrow. Garden carts feature 4 wheels and can carry a decent weight. Some garden carts are foldable and easy to store away others are sturdier making them great for moving broken branches etc around.
USING WHEELBARROWS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK
Wheelbarrows are on of the most useful bits of kit on site. They allow you to efficiently move and remove materials from one place to another without wasting energy.
Wheelbarrows are used in numerous construction jobs such as:
- Moving Sand, Dirt and rubble away from building site
- Transporting building materials to and from different parts of the site
- Mixing and transporting cement
USING WHEELBARROWS FOR CEMENT MIXING
Often overlooked, when using cement being mobile improves the efficiency of which you can work.
Mixing batches of cement in a wheelbarrow can save the cost on a cement mixer, so if you’re doing a small job or DIY project this could be a perfect alternative.
Understanding your needs from your ideal wheelbarrow makes it much easier to create a tick list of features that you need to get the job done!
Once you know what you’ll be doing with your wheelbarrow you can start to get into the nitty-gritty of what it is you need.
WHAT SEPARATES A GOOD WHEELBARROW FROM THE BEST WHEELBARROW
The best wheelbarrow is one that will do everything you need it to do, carry the weight you need, not strain your muscles and do this whilst being smooth to carry around this means that everyone’s “best wheelbarrow” will be different. Here are some things to consider when shopping around that should help you find your best.
WHAT ARE YOU CARRYING?
The material you’re carrying in your wheelbarrow will greatly impact the type of wheels and the body of your wheelbarrow. If you’re working with bricks and masonry, you’ll want heavy duty wheels and a steel wheelbarrow capable of carrying a lot of weight.
If you’re making trips back and forth full of grass / gardening debris into a skip you may want a light and mobile wheelbarrow that causes less stress on the joints over long trips.
That being said, if you’re likely to leave your wheelbarrow outside to weather the elements then a steel wheelbarrow may gather rust so you’ll want a galvanized wheelbarrow. The available combinations are vast, so rather than list them all, here’s a guide to the wheelbarrow feature.
GALVANISED WHEELBARROWS
Galvanised wheelbarrows aim to fix steel’s rust issues; the steel is dipped in a layer of zinc to protect the steel. Galvanised wheelbarrows are usually a bit heavier than their steel counterparts but if comparing to the jump in weight from plastic to steel the weight difference is unnoticeable. This makes galvanized steel a more attractive choice than steel in most situations.
STEEL WHEELBARROWS
Steel wheelbarrows are usually a lot stronger than their competition, albeit heavier. This makes them great for carrying heavy loads. This can be seen as an advantage or a disadvantage as the heavier weight of the wheelbarrow will be an annoyance when carrying lighter loads. Also, as steel is prone to rust it is best to not leave outdoors, if you do purchase a steel wheelbarrow ensure you have somewhere to keep it out of the elements.
PLASTIC WHEELBARROWS
Plastic is light inexpensive and flexible. This makes it great for lightweight wheelbarrows, the issue being its durability. Plastic Wheelbarrows make up most of the consumer market with most user not needing to carry heavy loads all day. However, if you are in the need of something heavy duty plastic will not cut it for you.
WHAT ABOUT WHEELBARROW WHEELS?
Choosing the right wheel can take some time, here are 3 options with a brief explanation.
STANDARD WHEELS
The bog-standard wheels, they usually come with the wheelbarrows. In general, these wheels will have a slightly higher carry capacity than puncture proof wheels, they’re also slightly wider so more manoeuvrable.
- Strong but lightweight plastic centre
- Simple tread pattern is suitable for wet or dry conditions
- Quick & easy to fit
- High profile tire is ideal for manoeuvrability & rough site conditions
- For use with Vaunt Challenger Wheelbarrows
HEAVY DUTY WHEELS
Holding up to 400Kg these wheels are not only big but also wide, this makes them easier to maneuverer and less likely to tip over.
- Strong but lightweight plastic centre
- Wide, complex tread aids grip in all weather conditions
- Quick & easy to fit
- Super high profile tire is ideal for maneuverability & rough site conditions
- For use with Vaunt Challenger Wheelbarrows
PUNCTURE PROOF WHEELS
There are a variety of puncture proof tires on the market, all working to various weights etc, with so many methods of puncture proofing I’ve decided to look at the Puncture proof wheel from Vaunt. Vaunt uses foam wheels to prevent punctures up to a load capacity of 150KG.
- Puncture Proof
- Eradicates down time & costly repairs
- Quick & easy to fit
- Durable material for very long-life, ideal for site work
- For use with Vaunt Challenger Wheelbarrows
WHEELBARROW HANDLES ARE CUSTOMISABLE DEPENDING ON THE BRAND YOU CHOOSE
STANDARD HANDLES
Standard handles do come in different variations, more specifically the material of the handles is usually different brand to brand, that and the thickness of grip needed to carry weight. Rubber handles are decent and provide great grip but are prone to cracking over time and once the crack you’ll lose more and more rubber over time. Plastic handles provide less grip than their rubber counterparts but tend to be a bit more durable.
ITIP ROTATING HANDLES
ITIP rotating handles are the perfect partner for your wheelbarrow, sack truck, cement mixer and much more. ITIP handles rotate on an axis whilst keeping the wheelbarrow at the same height. This allows you to always keep a comfortable hand grip whilst carrying your load. The rotating handles from ITIP increase your safety at work as well as decrease RSI and jarring issues on the job. They’re easy to fit to numerous wheelbarrows and once you try them, you’ll wish you never went without them.
WHAT ABOUT WHEELBARROW ARMS?
Wheelbarrow arm length and height both have a key role to play in determining how effectively the load of weight is distributed, too short and the wheelbarrow is easier to tip over, making the load harder to balance especially on one wheel, it does however make it less burdening to carry.
What do you look for when buying a wheelbarrow? We’d love to know what you think. Feel free to comment below and let us know! With the windiest months ahead of us and the cold weather coming to an end, a wheelbarrow is a great investment for all that pending garden work that’s been put off. You can find all our wheelbarrows here.
How to find the right wheelbarrow for your job
Either for your garden or on-site, a wheelbarrow is essential in helping you move heavy loads with ease and reducing your effort. At ITS, we stock wheelbarrows in various sizes up to XL, motorised wheelbarrows and garden trolleys/carts for every season, job, and use (as well as replacement wheels). Depending on the capacity and how much weight you need to move, we can help you choose a steel or plastic wheelbarrow, perfect for your needs.
USING WHEELBARROWS FOR DIY JOBS
Every DYI enthusiast will be familiar with the post-job mess. We all do. And cleanup is always the worst part.
Wheelbarrows allow you to efficiently get rid of any offcuts or unused materials quickly and painlessly.
You may also use a plastic wheelbarrow to mix cement, which ends up saving loads of time.
Not only do you save time using a wheelbarrow to take debris away, but you can also use it to bring materials to your workshop.
USING WHEELBARROWS FOR GARDEN WORK
When gardening a wheelbarrow has many uses such as transporting grass, branches, stumps leaves, soil, and many more garden-associated materials. Wheelbarrows are great when you need to refresh your bark supply as well, giving the tool an incredible number of tasks that it is helpful for.
A plastic wheelbarrow will do all of the above and do it well. However, there may be a better tool for the job. When using a wheelbarrow for garden work we’d recommend a garden cart rather than a traditional wheelbarrow. Garden carts feature 4 wheels and can carry a decent weight. Some garden carts are foldable and easy to store away others are sturdier making them great for moving broken branches etc around.
USING WHEELBARROWS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK
Wheelbarrows are on of the most useful bits of kit on site. They allow you to efficiently move and remove materials from one place to another without wasting energy.
Wheelbarrows are used in numerous construction jobs such as:
- Moving Sand, Dirt and rubble away from building site
- Transporting building materials to and from different parts of the site
- Mixing and transporting cement
USING WHEELBARROWS FOR CEMENT MIXING
Often overlooked, when using cement being mobile improves the efficiency of which you can work.
Mixing batches of cement in a wheelbarrow can save the cost on a cement mixer, so if you’re doing a small job or DIY project this could be a perfect alternative.
Understanding your needs from your ideal wheelbarrow makes it much easier to create a tick list of features that you need to get the job done!
Once you know what you’ll be doing with your wheelbarrow you can start to get into the nitty-gritty of what it is you need.
WHAT SEPARATES A GOOD WHEELBARROW FROM THE BEST WHEELBARROW
The best wheelbarrow is one that will do everything you need it to do, carry the weight you need, not strain your muscles and do this whilst being smooth to carry around this means that everyone’s “best wheelbarrow” will be different. Here are some things to consider when shopping around that should help you find your best.
WHAT ARE YOU CARRYING?
The material you’re carrying in your wheelbarrow will greatly impact the type of wheels and the body of your wheelbarrow. If you’re working with bricks and masonry, you’ll want heavy duty wheels and a steel wheelbarrow capable of carrying a lot of weight.
If you’re making trips back and forth full of grass / gardening debris into a skip you may want a light and mobile wheelbarrow that causes less stress on the joints over long trips.
That being said, if you’re likely to leave your wheelbarrow outside to weather the elements then a steel wheelbarrow may gather rust so you’ll want a galvanized wheelbarrow. The available combinations are vast, so rather than list them all, here’s a guide to the wheelbarrow feature.
GALVANISED WHEELBARROWS
Galvanised wheelbarrows aim to fix steel’s rust issues; the steel is dipped in a layer of zinc to protect the steel. Galvanised wheelbarrows are usually a bit heavier than their steel counterparts but if comparing to the jump in weight from plastic to steel the weight difference is unnoticeable. This makes galvanized steel a more attractive choice than steel in most situations.
STEEL WHEELBARROWS
Steel wheelbarrows are usually a lot stronger than their competition, albeit heavier. This makes them great for carrying heavy loads. This can be seen as an advantage or a disadvantage as the heavier weight of the wheelbarrow will be an annoyance when carrying lighter loads. Also, as steel is prone to rust it is best to not leave outdoors, if you do purchase a steel wheelbarrow ensure you have somewhere to keep it out of the elements.
PLASTIC WHEELBARROWS
Plastic is light inexpensive and flexible. This makes it great for lightweight wheelbarrows, the issue being its durability. Plastic Wheelbarrows make up most of the consumer market with most user not needing to carry heavy loads all day. However, if you are in the need of something heavy duty plastic will not cut it for you.
WHAT ABOUT WHEELBARROW WHEELS?
Choosing the right wheel can take some time, here are 3 options with a brief explanation.
STANDARD WHEELS
The bog-standard wheels, they usually come with the wheelbarrows. In general, these wheels will have a slightly higher carry capacity than puncture proof wheels, they’re also slightly wider so more manoeuvrable.
- Strong but lightweight plastic centre
- Simple tread pattern is suitable for wet or dry conditions
- Quick & easy to fit
- High profile tire is ideal for manoeuvrability & rough site conditions
- For use with Vaunt Challenger Wheelbarrows
HEAVY DUTY WHEELS
Holding up to 400Kg these wheels are not only big but also wide, this makes them easier to maneuverer and less likely to tip over.
- Strong but lightweight plastic centre
- Wide, complex tread aids grip in all weather conditions
- Quick & easy to fit
- Super high profile tire is ideal for maneuverability & rough site conditions
- For use with Vaunt Challenger Wheelbarrows
PUNCTURE PROOF WHEELS
There are a variety of puncture proof tires on the market, all working to various weights etc, with so many methods of puncture proofing I’ve decided to look at the Puncture proof wheel from Vaunt. Vaunt uses foam wheels to prevent punctures up to a load capacity of 150KG.
- Puncture Proof
- Eradicates down time & costly repairs
- Quick & easy to fit
- Durable material for very long-life, ideal for site work
- For use with Vaunt Challenger Wheelbarrows
WHEELBARROW HANDLES ARE CUSTOMISABLE DEPENDING ON THE BRAND YOU CHOOSE
STANDARD HANDLES
Standard handles do come in different variations, more specifically the material of the handles is usually different brand to brand, that and the thickness of grip needed to carry weight. Rubber handles are decent and provide great grip but are prone to cracking over time and once the crack you’ll lose more and more rubber over time. Plastic handles provide less grip than their rubber counterparts but tend to be a bit more durable.
ITIP ROTATING HANDLES
ITIP rotating handles are the perfect partner for your wheelbarrow, sack truck, cement mixer and much more. ITIP handles rotate on an axis whilst keeping the wheelbarrow at the same height. This allows you to always keep a comfortable hand grip whilst carrying your load. The rotating handles from ITIP increase your safety at work as well as decrease RSI and jarring issues on the job. They’re easy to fit to numerous wheelbarrows and once you try them, you’ll wish you never went without them.
WHAT ABOUT WHEELBARROW ARMS?
Wheelbarrow arm length and height both have a key role to play in determining how effectively the load of weight is distributed, too short and the wheelbarrow is easier to tip over, making the load harder to balance especially on one wheel, it does however make it less burdening to carry.
What do you look for when buying a wheelbarrow? We’d love to know what you think. Feel free to comment below and let us know! With the windiest months ahead of us and the cold weather coming to an end, a wheelbarrow is a great investment for all that pending garden work that’s been put off. You can find all our wheelbarrows here.