Originally Posted by
Phideaux
I've got three wheelbarrows (and I've killed one in the last 45 years)
One is 'the wife's yard-cart' - a T-handled two-wheeler; which is:
* useful;
* wider than it looks and a bit of a pain because of that sometimes
* has a black plastic tub which needs to be out of UV when stored
* seems robust
* (oddly, is a perfect tool for lesson 1 in teaching how to reverse a trailer)
* low to the ground
* usually, light enough to lift-to-empty clippings etc into trailer.
* solid tyres
(Thought here is - maybe you need two wheelbarrows? We've got a large block, so... horses for courses).
I've got a standard Kelso (aussie made) metal barrow with wooden handles. It's about 20 years old - and has had some maintenance.
* wooden handles - still sound but full of nasty splinters (so get metal handles with good quality rubber covers)
* tub is zinc-coated (scratched but good)
* major issue is with 'the axle' -
** when moving (really!) large rocks the trick is to lie the wheelbarrow on its side and roll the rock in, stand the barrow up.
*** after a time, the axle becomes loose and the wheel can begin to fall off.
*** I've fixed this several times, usually with wood and bolts as washers. Latest fix - which will probably last - is with two pipes sleeved and again, washered with bolts.
I've got an ancient (smaller) Kelso - 46 years old - has done massive amounts of work, and is now so repaired and patched it's called
The Franken-Barrow!
* All steel (and the tub is reinforced with shaped and riveted zinc-coated former back of a washing machine - works well) (third repair)
* Steel handles with rubber grips - still good (hence the recommendation)
* similar problems with the axle - similar fix
* smaller steel chassis - flexes unhappily with heavy load.
* spare tyre unobtainable - now runs on a hand-trolley tyre.
Summary lessons:
Aussie-made zinc-coated tub, is good (but not cheap)
Rubber grips on steel (coated) handles recommended in preference to wood
square tyre with off-road tread - a bit of a joke; simple round with linear tread at 25psi - all you'll need.
A damn good look at the front and the tipping pivot - some barrows, the pivot is too damn low and you're forever ramming to a halt over minor obstacles.
Bored yet?
Cheers
"Professional standard" - worth it.
Sounds about exactly right. I'd forgotten to mention the last two peices of junk have sent me over the top a couple of times. The damn pivot is to low, the smallest pot hole or obstacle sees the damn wheel barrow stopping dead.... and you going over the top if your not ready for it. I was quite put off by kelso not having "australian made" written on it anywhere. so ordered one of these last night.
I can't believe the don't stock the aussie made barrows and fly big "australian made" signs over the top of them. I'll try to keep this one in one of the sheds.... so it doesn't rust out.
Daytek 100L Galvanised Contractor Wheelbarrow - Bunnings Australia
Proper cars--
'92 Range Rover 3.8V8 ... 5spd manual
'85 Series II CX2500 GTi Turbo I :burnrubber:
'63 ID19 x 2 :wheelchair:
'72 DS21 ie 5spd pallas
Modern Junk:
'07 Poogoe 407 HDi 6spd manual :zzz:
'11 Poogoe RCZ HDI 6spd manual
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