Choosing and Using Carts and Wheelbarrows

By: John Kelsey, This Old House magazine

Photo: Erik Rank

Photo: Erik Rank

Large Cart
Best for: Moving heavy or bulky loads — mulch, firewood, construction debris, household appliances — across smooth terrain.
Look for: Two wheels, sturdy wood or metal box, and a folding body (left) for easy storage.
Shown: Tipke Foldit aluminum cart, $250.

Photo: Erik Rank

Powered Cart
Best for: Moving heavy loads up and down hilly terrain.
Look for: Large cart with gasoline engine or smaller cart with electric motor and rechargeable batteries.
Shown: LUV electric cart from CartCraft Co., $350.

Photo: Erik Rank

Small Cart
Best for: Trundling tools and flats of plants into the garden.
Look for: Four wheels for stability and a handle/cover that flips over so you can sit on it.
Shown: Ames Lawn Buddy gardening cart, $28.

Brentwood ProBoss poly-ethylene wheelbarrow

Photo: Erik Rank

Standard Wheelbarrow
Best for: Transporting large gardening tools and heavy supplies, especially loose materials such as loam, gravel, sand, compost, and mixed concrete.
Look for: Sturdy wooden handles, 6-cubic-foot-or-larger tray of easy-to-clean, nonrusting plastic.
Shown: Brentwood ProBoss poly-ethylene wheelbarrow, $128.

Photo: Erik Rank

Folding Wheelbarrow
Best for: Easily loading leaves, rocks, soil, or firewood without lifting, as the tray unhooks and lies flat on the ground.
Look for: Single wheel, tough fabric tray, metal frame.
Shown: Allsop WheelEasy canvas wheelbarrow, $60.

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Men pushing barrows and carts moved the stuff that built civilization, and aside from the addition of a little power and rubber tires, not much has changed. From trash to topsoil to building materials, everything travels more quickly when you stick a wheel underneath it.

Carts and wheelbarrows help you move heavy loads by distributing the weight over the wheels. A wheelbarrow has a sloped tray and one or two wheels in the front. You have to push it, but it maneuvers easily and can go anywhere (provided you don't jam it into a hole). A cart, on the other hand, has straight sides and two or more large wheels. It works best when pulled — ideally over a smooth surface, though its big wheels can bridge holes. Carts are also more stable and carry more volume than wheelbarrows.

When choosing either, follow the recommendation of This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook to look for foam-filled or solid tires, because pneumatic tires can go flat. And when it's lunchtime, do what Roger does: Throw a piece of plywood on top and set out your picnic spread.

WHERE TO FIND IT

Large cart:
Foldit Utility Cart
Tipke Mfg. Inc.
Spokane, WA
509-534-5336
www.tipkemfg.com

Powered cart:
LUVcart Silver Edition by The CartCraft Company
North Kingstown, RI
866-588-2278
www.luvcart.com

Small cart:
Ames Lawn Buddy
Ames
800-833-3068

Standard wheelbarrow:
ProBoss Model
#PW6 by Brentwood Industries
610-236-1135
www.brentwoodindustries.com

Folding wheelbarrow:
Allsop WheelEasy LE
Model #28162 by Allsop Home and Garden
Bellingham, WA
800-426-4303
www.allsopgarden.com