How to choose a wheelbarrow: tub, wheel and load capacity

For ordinary building work choose a wheelbarrow with a steel tub of 70-100 litres and a load capacity of up to 150 kg; for rubble, gravel and heavy loads go for a solid wheel and a tub in 10/10 sheet steel. Plastic is fine for the garden, soil and light materials, but it will not stand up to the knocks of demolition work. First of all decide what you are going to carry in it: almost everything else depends on the material.

The types

• Steel builder's wheelbarrow. A tub in painted or galvanised sheet steel, for sand, mortar and rubble. In the collection there are models such as the Extra Base Builder's Wheelbarrow and the Orione Gancio.
• Plastic or polypropylene wheelbarrow. Lighter and does not rust; suited to soil, leaves, fertiliser and materials that do not scratch. Example: the Svelt polypropylene wheelbarrow.
• Tipping wheelbarrow. Empties its contents by tilting the tub, without having to lift it. One example is the Svelt steel tipping wheelbarrow.
• Two-wheel wheelbarrow. More stable, because you do not have to balance it. There is also an ergonomic version. One example is the F20430 2-wheel wheelbarrow.
• Large-capacity barrow. Tubs of up to 240-350 litres for large volumes of light material or for moving soil, like the Big 240-litre wheelbarrow.
• Spare parts. Replacement tubs (raw or already finished), solid or pneumatic knobbly-tread wheels, spare kits and accessories such as storage holders: if only the tub or the wheel is damaged, you can replace just that part.

How to choose by job

The features to look at

Capacity (litres). In the collection it goes from about 70 litres up to 350 for the largest models. A 100-litre wheelbarrow full of mortar or rubble weighs a lot: read the capacity together with the load capacity, because a litre of heavy material counts for more than a litre of soil.

Load capacity (kg). The values are 100, 150 and 300 kg. With a 100 kg load capacity you are in light-material territory; for wet sand, mortar and rubble look at the 150 or 300 kg models.

Tub material and thickness. The steel may be painted or galvanised (hot-dip as well, which is more resistant to rust). The sheet thickness is given in tenths of a millimetre: 10/10 means 1 mm, 8/10 and 7/10 are thinner and lighter. For rubble and everyday use, a thick sheet and a reinforced rim make the difference.

Wheel. The solid wheel never punctures but is hard and transmits knocks; the pneumatic knobbly-tread wheel with an inner tube is more comfortable but has to be kept inflated and can puncture.

Number of wheels. One wheel is more manoeuvrable and lets you unload anywhere; two wheels are more stable and need no balancing, useful if you carry a lot.

Common mistakes

• Choosing plastic for rubble: it cracks at the first impact with reinforcing bars and bricks.
• Filling the tub beyond the stated load capacity, or putting the weight towards the handles instead of over the wheel.
• Neglecting the wheel: deflated, it becomes very heavy to push, and a dry hub seizes. It must be kept inflated and greased.
• Not washing the tub at the end of the day: the mortar hardens and then has to be knocked off with a hammer, ruining the sheet steel.
• Throwing the wheelbarrow away when the base of the tub gets holed, when all you need is to replace the tub, which you will find in the collection as a spare part.

Frequently asked questions

Is a one-wheel or a two-wheel wheelbarrow better?

One wheel is more agile and unloads anywhere. Two wheels are more stable and suit you if you carry a lot or work on level ground.

What does 10/10 on the tub mean?

It is the thickness of the sheet in tenths of a millimetre: 10/10 is 1 mm. The higher the value, the sturdier and heavier the tub.

Galvanised or painted?

Galvanising protects better against rust, especially if the wheelbarrow is left outdoors; painted is fine for building use with regular washing.

Can I replace just the tub or the wheel?

Yes. In the collection there are replacement tubs and wheels, also in kits. Check the model to be sure it is compatible.

You will find all the models in the wheelbarrows collection; if you do not know what capacity or tub you need, ask the AMES technicians for a quote or some advice.