Garden wheelbarrow — instructions on how to choose a ready-made one, or make it with your own hands. (110 photos)

An experienced gardener has the necessary tools at hand: pruning shears, scissors, shovel, rake, axe. To transport soil, fertilizer, harvested crops and much more around the site, you need a wheelbarrow. Choosing a garden wheelbarrow for your own plot, you need to have a clear idea of its main characteristics. Otherwise, the chances of comfortable use of the device are small.

Depending on the tasks performed, there are several types of "carrier", each of them has its pros and cons.

The garden "model" is a lightweight structure, has a smaller load capacity and, accordingly, its price is lower. Transportation of heavy loads on a wheelbarrow for the garden is not provided, but it allows you to work with various seedlings, fertilizer, soil.

When harvesting, the garden option is simply indispensable when it becomes necessary to transport potatoes, carrots, cabbage and other vegetables. In addition, thanks to its special design and lightweight materials, it will be easy to operate not only for men, but also for women.

There are also differences regarding the design: as a rule, a wheelbarrow for a garden has only one wheel (there are exceptions), its body is more flexible and thinner. With regard to the volume of cargo transported, it is worth noting that a wheelbarrow for garden needs takes on no more than 60-90 liters, construction – 120-140 liters.

Nuances of choice and types of garden wheelbarrows

With the external similarity of wheelbarrows, there are fundamental differences between them. Let's turn to the design features.

Wheels. Depending on the gravity of the intended cargo, the wheelbarrow is equipped with one, two or even four wheels. With an increase in the number of wheels, maneuverability decreases. Therefore, in a densely planted area with narrow paths, a one-wheeled wheelbarrow will be the leader.

However, this option has a significant drawback. With a high load of a wheelbarrow on soft, dug-up ground, its wheel will constantly get stuck in the ground, preventing rapid movement.

For this reason, the best option on soft ground can be a two-wheeled wheelbarrow (or four). It has more stability, it is easier to move it around the site even with heavy traffic.

The downside will be reduced maneuverability. Therefore, before buying a wheelbarrow, it is necessary to calculate the width of all garden paths, the number and angle of turns.

The diameter of the wheel affects the shock absorption, it is desirable that it be large. The optimal size of the wheel is 35-45 cm. Today, models with pneumatic wheels that are inflated with air under pressure are popular.

The movement of such wheels on any surface is carried out with ease, especially thanks to the installed bearings or special bushings. It is worth remembering that all bearings need to be periodically lubricated, having previously been cleaned of dirt.

Handles. Wheelbarrows have two versions of handles: one longitudinal, or two slightly diverging to the sides (parallel arrangement is possible). Experimentally, you can determine which of the handles will be more convenient. When a wheelbarrow is equipped with one wheel, it is better to find a second option, with two handles, to distribute the weight evenly on both hands.

The multi-wheeled wheelbarrow simply pushes forward, there is no need to keep it from falling on its side. Therefore, when choosing a pen, you should focus on personal preferences.

The only nuance that requires attention and verification is that a human body should fit between the parallel handles. Any modification should provide long handles, the ends of which should have a non-slip ergonomic plastic surface.

The frame. An element that ensures the strength and reliability of the structure. Frames made of steel pipes have a high strength. However, a bent-welded frame is also suitable for gardening.

An important requirement is the tight fit of the element to the body, in addition, the frame must have high-strength supports. Some types of wheelbarrows are complemented by a stiffening rib, and the walls and bottom of the body are made of thick galvanized steel sheet. Thus, a reinforced wheelbarrow is obtained, which allows to transport heavier loads and has a longer service life.

The material and shape of the body. Wheelbarrows can be trapezoidal or square in shape. The first allows you to unload the contents without any problems, the second allows you to carefully place the geometrically correct cargo inside the body.

The choice of material is a very important moment, since the wheelbarrow is experiencing physical exertion with simultaneous aggressive environmental influences.

As a result, rust may appear on the surface of garden equipment, which without due attention will lead to its unsuitability in the future. Therefore, high-quality metal, for example, 0.8-1.5 mm thick steel, can become the material of a good wheelbarrow.

The metal is protected by galvanizing or covered with paint. There is no unambiguous answer to the question of the best coating, because in each case a lot depends on the operating conditions.

The body is also made of plastic or wood, with the durability and toughness garden equipment are significantly reduced, and require special care.

A plastic product will not cope with a large amount of soil, compost or sand, but it is suitable for leaves, light debris.  The main condition when using plastic wheelbarrows is protection from fire and other sources of high temperature, frost or hail.

Wheelbarrows made of wood lose their practical purpose every year, today they are rarely found anywhere. Except as a decorative element: for pots with flowers, for example. If there are no other options, the wheelbarrow is used in the garden, measuring the carrying capacity and weight of the cargo being transported.

Size. The size range is diverse. Before you buy a wheelbarrow, you should measure the width of all driveways, gate openings. This will allow you to finally determine the size.

Capacity. Measured in liters. Basically, the volume values are 65-90 liters.

The basic rule of self-manufacturing wheelbarrows is to carefully fasten the parts together, it is extremely necessary to pay attention to the joints of metal and wooden elements. Thus, thanks to improvised means, it is quite possible to get an interesting garden wheelbarrow

Catalogs of shops for cottages are full of photos of garden wheelbarrows, the choice of the optimal model is sometimes difficult. Whatever you come to – self–manufacture or purchase option - it is important to rationally and thoughtfully make a ratio between the functionality of the wheelbarrow and the money and time spent. Only after that, the buyer will be provided with an "economic" and comfortable device that brings satisfaction from all kinds of transportation.

Photo of a garden wheelbarrow