When choosing which wheelbarrow to buy, it's very important to consider what it will be used for - are you planning on moving small gardening objects such as tools and plants, or are you a builder looking to move concrete or bricks? The weight and size of the wheelbarrow also needs to be considered to determine the number of trips required and the stability of the load.
Copyright (c) 2010 Filton Kingswood
So what would you consider to be the gardener’s best friend? Maybe a fork for digging up weeds? Or how about a spade for turning the soil? Well it is in fact the trusty wheelbarrow, with thousands being sold in the UK every year. Records suggest that the first wheelbarrow was invented in 407 B.C. by the ancient Greek builders who used it on a construction site. The wheelbarrow finally appeared in Europe around 1170 and was used by farmers to transport things. The uses for wheelbarrows have changed very little since but the types and variety of wheelbarrows have increased significantly. The concept of a wheelbarrow is very simple, it comprises of a bin for holding materials, handles for lifting it and either one or two wheels for transporting it. So when you are looking to buy a sturdy, durable wheelbarrow, what should you be looking for? Firstly, you must consider what the purpose of the wheelbarrow is. For builders, it is likely to be used for transporting heavy building materials, while a gardener is more likely to use it for transporting soil or plants to another destination in the garden. Next you need to consider the size and weight of the wheelbarrow. Wheelbarrows come in a range of sizes with an average size carrying about 6 cubic feet of material. You may want a small wheelbarrow which can easily be stored when not in use but you need to also consider what you will be using it for. A small wheelbarrow may mean that you have to make more trips to accomplish your task. You may also be tempted to buy the largest possible wheelbarrow to allow you to use it for almost anything but the weight of a wheelbarrow is also very important. You need to consider not only the weight of the empty wheelbarrow but also of the contents that you are intending on transporting. An empty wheelbarrow may be easy to manoeuvre but the same wheelbarrow fully loaded with soil or concrete will be significantly more difficult to move. Balance is another important element when moving loads with a wheelbarrow. Overload the wheelbarrow and it will tip over, spilling its contents and possibly causing you injury. Wheelbarrows come in a variety of different materials with the most common being plastic or metal. Both types can hold wet or dry material and can be easily tipped to dump or pour contents. Furthermore, both can be effortlessly cleaned with a spray from a hose. Metal is very durable but a heavier material so adds to the overall weight of the wheelbarrow. If you opt for a metal wheelbarrow, you will need to paint it annually to combat rust. Plastic is considerably lighter in weight but not as durable. It may crack if exposed to significant changes in temperature or if overloaded and is likely to fade in colour when exposed to sunlight. There is a third type of material, the wooden wheelbarrow. However these are not very commonly purchased in the UK as wood can warp and splinter over time.
When looking to buy a sturdy wheelbarrow suitable for your needs, you need to consider the number of wheels it has. The one wheel option tends to be lighter in weight and more manoeuvrable, while the two wheel version can carry more weight as is better balanced but is more awkward to move. Whichever you choose, you need to ensure that the wheel or wheels are sturdy and have good tyres. Some modern wheelbarrows even come with brakes to allow for safer usage.
Look carefully at the handles and their position. The handles are the only part of the wheelbarrow that comes into contact with you so ensure they are not made of wood or metal. They need plastic or rubber grip for comfort.
The final option in your choice of wheelbarrow is to have a traditional manually powered wheelbarrow or one powered by gas or electric. These are ideal if you are unable to lift or manoeuvre a wheelbarrow.
Whatever your final choice, wheelbarrows are one of the most useful tools in the garden or on a building site. They allow you to carry your things with ease and cover more ground quickly.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment