An experienced gardener has the necessary tools at hand: pruning shears, scissors, shovel, rake, axe. To transport soil, fertilizer, harvested crops and more around the plot, you need a wheelbarrow. Choosing a garden wheelbarrow for your own plot, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of its main characteristics. Otherwise, the chances of comfortable use of the device are small.
Depending on the tasks to be performed, there are several types of “carrier”, each with its own pros and cons.
Brief content of the article:
Garden wheelbarrow and construction wheelbarrow: the differences
The garden “model” is a lightweight design, has a smaller carrying capacity and, accordingly, its price is lower. Transportation of heavy loads on the wheelbarrow for the garden is not provided, but it allows you to work with various seedlings, fertilizer, soil.
When harvesting, the garden wheelbarrow 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 by men but also by women.
Regarding the design, there are also differences: as a rule, a wheelbarrow for the garden has only one wheel (there are exceptions), its body is more flexible and thinner. Regarding the volume of transported cargo, it is worth noting that the wheelbarrow for gardening takes on no more than 60-90 liters, the construction wheelbarrow – 120-140 liters.
Nuances of choice and types of garden wheelbarrows
With the external similarity of wheelbarrows between them there are fundamental differences. Let us turn to the design features.
Wheels. Depending on the weight of the intended load, the wheelbarrow is equipped with one, two or even four wheels. As the number of wheels increases, maneuverability decreases. Therefore, in a densely planted area with narrow paths, the single-wheel barrow will be the leader.
However, this option has a significant disadvantage. If the wheelbarrow is heavily loaded on soft, uprooted ground, its wheel will constantly get stuck in the ground, preventing it from moving quickly.
For this reason, a two-wheeled wheelbarrow (or four) may be the best option on soft ground. It has more stability, it is easier to move it around the site even with a heavy load.
The minus will be a decrease in maneuverability. Therefore, before buying a wheelbarrow, it is necessary to calculate the width of all garden paths, the number and angle of turns.
Wheel diameter affects cushioning, it is desirable that it is large. The optimal wheel size is 35-45 cm. Nowadays models with pneumatic wheels, which are inflated with air under pressure, are popular.
Moving 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 lubricated periodically, having previously cleaned of dirt.
Handles. There are two variants of handles: one longitudinal, or two slightly diverging aside (parallel arrangement is possible). It is possible to determine empirically which of the handles will be more convenient. When the wheelbarrow is equipped with one wheel, it is better to find the second option, with two handles, to distribute the weight evenly on both hands.
A multi-wheeled wheelbarrow is simply pushed forward, there is no need to keep it from falling over on its side. Therefore, the choice of handle should be guided by personal preference.
The only nuance that requires attention and verification is that the human body must fit between the parallel handles. Any modification should provide long handles, the ends of which should have a non-slip, ergonomic plastic surface.
Frame. An element that ensures the strength and reliability of the structure. Frames made of steel pipes have high strength. However, a bent-welded frame is also suitable for garden work.
An important requirement is a tight fit of the element to the body, in addition, the frame must have high-strength supports. Some wheelbarrow types are supplemented with a stiffening rib, and the walls and bottom of the body are made of thick galvanized sheet steel. Thus you get a reinforced barrow, allowing to transport heavier loads and having a longer service life.
Material and shape of the body. Wheelbarrows can be trapezoidal or square in shape. The first allows you to easily unload the contents, the second – neatly place the geometrically correct shape of the load inside the body.
The choice of material is a very responsible moment, because the wheelbarrow is subjected to physical stresses with simultaneous aggressive exposure to the environment.
As a result, rust can appear on the surface of the garden equipment, which without proper attention will later lead to its unsuitability. Therefore, quality metal, such as steel 0.8-1.5 mm thick, can be the material of a good wheelbarrow.
Metal is protected by galvanizing or painting. There is no definite answer to the question of the best coating, because in each case much depends on the operating conditions.
The body is also made of plastic or wood, with the service life and durability of the garden equipment is significantly reduced, special care is required.
Plastic product will not cope with a large amount of soil, compost or sand, but will be suitable for leaves, light debris. The main condition when using plastic wheelbarrows is to protect them from fire and other sources of high temperature, frost or hail.
Wheelbarrows made of wood are losing their practical purpose every year, today they are rarely seen anywhere. Except as an element of decor: under flower pots, for example. If there are no other options, the wheelbarrow is used in the garden, commensurate with the carrying capacity and weight of the cargo.
Size. The size range is varied. Before you buy a wheelbarrow should measure the width of all passageways, wicket openings. This will make it possible to finally decide on the size.
Capacity. Measured in liters. Generally, volume values are 65-90 liters.
The basic rule of self-made wheelbarrows is to carefully fasten the parts to each other, it is extremely necessary to pay attention to the joints of metal and wooden elements. Thus, thanks to improvised means it is quite real to get an interesting garden wheelbarrow
Catalogs of stores for the countryside are replete with photos of garden wheelbarrows, the choice of the optimal model is sometimes difficult. No matter what you come to – self-made or purchased version – it is important to make a rational and thoughtful balance between the functionality of the wheelbarrow and the money and time spent. Only after that the buyer will be provided with a “household” and comfortable device, bringing satisfaction from all kinds of transportation.
Photo of a garden wheelbarrow
04.11
