The invention of the wheelbarrow dates back to ancient Greece. Thus, the Greeks knew how to move heavy objects efficiently. Then, the wheelbarrow probably experienced its development in several countries independently of each other. It is known that the Chinese also invented a wheel cart in the second century. Wheelbarrows were previously made of wood and then of iron. With the invention of aluminum, they became more robust and lighter. Their tires were developed in the 1950s.
What is the principle of the wheelbarrow?
A wheelbarrow is a small, hand-propelled vehicle that usually has only one wheel. The wheelbarrow is designed to be operated by one person and it usually has two handles on the back. A wheelbarrow is a device for moving loads. The concept of the wheelbarrow is based on distributing the majority of the weight on the wheel and also on the person using it. Consequently, the wheelbarrow allows the transport of much heavier and bulkier objects than if they had to be carried directly by an unequipped person. The principle of the wheelbarrow is that of the lever. Based on this, when loading the wheelbarrow, it is recommended to place the load directly above the wheelbarrow wheel. This relieves the person handling the wheelbarrow. However, if the ground is very uneven, the load should be lightened under certain circumstances, i.e. the load should be placed further back towards the grab handles. This protects the wheelbarrow and prevents wear and tear on the wheelbarrow.
In which areas is a wheelbarrow used?
Nowadays, wheelbarrows are mainly used in the field of construction as well as in horticulture, because in both cases heavy loads have to be transported quickly. Most wheelbarrows today have a capacity of around 80 liters and can easily carry a load of around 50 kilograms. There are also wheelbarrows with two wheels as they are safer on flat ground. Conventional wheelbarrows, however, have only one wheel, as they are much easier to maneuver, especially indoors or on planks. Unloading can also be better controlled with a single wheel. Today’s wheelbarrows consist of a sheet metal tank and a tire wheel. This type of wheelbarrow has been around since the 1950s.
Stability and robustness, the qualities expected of a wheelbarrow
The wheelbarrow must be strong enough. If you are carrying a heavy load, the tank, the frame and the wheel, in particular the axle, must be able to withstand the shock. In doing so, the frame of the wheelbarrow must not be deformed, the tire burst or the rim damaged. Under no circumstances should you the driver and the wheelbarrow be off balance. So choose a wheelbarrow with a sturdy frame. If you opt for a quality product, you can select a wheelbarrow with a cross frame or with a plate at the base – under the tray – of the wheelbarrow. If you have near-professional use, buy a quality wheelbarrow but be careful how you use it. As you know, construction trades are tough and tools and equipment are treated accordingly. You should take this into account when buying a new wheelbarrow, because the lifespan also depends on how you are going to handle the wheelbarrow.
Which wheelbarrow load carrier to choose?
Do you want a load carrier in plastic or galvanized sheet metal? It all depends on who you are: a gardener, a handyman? Are you going to fill your wheelbarrow with mortar, concrete, rocks, dirt, etc.? ? In this case, your wheelbarrow acts as a mini-dump truck. If you choose a plastic load carrier, it is important to ensure that it will not be scratched by the contents of your load carrier and that it will not deform it – especially when you tip the wheelbarrow from one side or the other. If you are planning to invest in a wheelbarrow for doing plaster, for example, buy a wheelbarrow with a high tub and make sure it is made of galvanized sheet metal and firmly screwed to the frame. You can opt for a plastic tank if you find it more appropriate. It all depends here on how you handle the wheelbarrow and how much weight the tub has to support. Cleaning is a step that should not be overlooked. Once the wheelbarrow is used, it should be washed down immediately with plenty of water.
What type of wheelbarrow to choose?
There is no answer because it all depends on the types of use. It is important that you know what the wheelbarrow can and should withstand and what you want to use it for. The ideal, if you want to keep your wheelbarrow permanently is to opt for a quality tool, and why not professional. So, the day you need to change a part of your wheelbarrow, it is possible to do so. This is also how you can tell a professional wheelbarrow from a cheap wheelbarrow. In the event of breakage or failure, the individual components of the wheelbarrow must be replaceable and the wheelbarrow can be repaired in a valid way. This means that in the event of a fault, you do not have to wonder whether the repair is worth it or whether you have to buy a new wheelbarrow right away. Spare parts must be offered by the manufacturer, be readily and easily available, of good quality and at a reasonable price.