Landscape Equipment - Wheelbarrows
About Wheelbarrows
Introduction
A Wheelbarrow is an essential tool to have when landscaping your property. From trash to topsoil, everything is made easy in the garden with the help of a quality wheelbarrow. It is an absolutely indispensable gardening tool as there will always be items to maneuver around the yard.
The basic shape of the wheelbarrow is fairly standard; however there are many different makes and models that vary in cost. It is important to choose a wheelbarrow that has the features that will be most effective for your project. And remember, a quality wheelbarrow will last a long time, so the cheapest option is not always the way to go.
Uses of Wheelbarrows
Wheelbarrows are commonly used in landscaping and construction. They are used to maneuver heavy loads of materials around the site. The most common materials used to transport in wheelbarrows is soil, mulches, weeds, tools, plants timber, tiles and pavers, cement, ornaments and much more. Wheelbarrows are important to use for safety reasons as well. When completing a landscaping project, the use of a wheelbarrow to transport heavy items from one place to another will prevent personal injury and will also conserve energy for other things.
Features of a Wheelbarrow
When purchasing a wheelbarrow for your landscaping project, there are some important factors to consider. These are:
Shapes & Sizes
Wheelbarrows come in a number of shapes and sizes. A deep tray is well balanced and can carry a heavy load, as the majority of the load is sitting over the wheels. Smaller wheelbarrows with thin frames are actually harder to maneuver. If the tray is shallow the load can spill over the edges.
Materials
Metal – strong and durable, but can rust. Metal barrows may require yearly painting.
Wood – can withstand heavy use, but not extremely durable and can warp.
Plastic – lighter, weather proof, must be thick, dense and preferably UV resistant.
Handles
Sculptured handles with rubber grip are recommended. Some wheelbarrows have poorly designed plastic covers which can slip off. Others can be so thick that it is near impossible to have a comfortable grip. Tray
A seamless steel tray is recommended for high strength, durability and also to avoid trapping any dampness. If the tray does have seems, make sure that the tray has been galvanized dipped after manufacturing.
Tipping Guard
Be sure to enquire about the tipping guard of the wheelbarrow, this can stop the tray from emptying a full load. It can also catch on objects as it is being wheeled along.
Tires
Choose a wheelbarrow with a pump-up tire, solid tires tend to dig into the ground and are more difficult to wheel. It is recommended to have larger wheels with wider tires, which will make it easier to go over bumps and less likely to get bogged. Also look for thick walled tires which will prevent punctures. Struts
The cross bracing of the wheelbarrow should be on the rear of the supports. This will prevent the user hitting their foot or leg when wheeling the barrow.
