Mike offers some great advice on what to look for in a good wheelbarrow!
Wheelbarrow Tips & Tricks
Last updated : January 15, 2015
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[…] I’m really mad about those wheelbarrows. If I’d paid $59 I’d say I got what I paid for. But I paid full price for them and for the same money I could have had Two Jackson Wheelbarrows! Yeah, I’m a big fan of Jackson Contractor Grade Wheelbarrows. […]
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[…] two ton of sand it in. I haul the sand on my 3/4 ton pickup. I shovel it off the truck into a “real wheelbarrow” and wheel it into the […]
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[…] Last growing season I was given the opportunity to use, test and review this awesome electric wheelbarrow from http://ElectricWheelbarrows.com. If you’ve known me or have been following me for any length of time you know that I am huge, flag waving fan of single wheel, construction grade Jackson wheelbarrows. To the point that even offer up “Wheelbarrow Tips and Tricks”. […]
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[…] Duh!!! Who doesn’t know how to use a wheelbarrow? Most people. Most people don’t know how to use a wheelbarrow. But I will show you and you will learn something valuable. […]
Hi Mike, new reader here, and I loved your wheelbarrow tips. I can truthfully say neither of those things had ever occurred to me.
As a 5’1″, 120 lbs. 72-year old woman, I can out-wheelbarrow most of the volunteers at our community garden. I was wondering if you might make a follow-up video on proper pushing, turning and unloading a wheelbarrow. You probably wouldn’t be shocked at the number of people in our city garden group who have no idea, and can spill a load before you can turn your head.
Mary,
You make some good points and I have observed all of these things. Don’t be afraid to remind me if I don’t get this video done in the spring.
Wow, thanks for some great information. I’ve got a bad back and didn’t know this stuff.
You’re welcome Gina.
I bought two wheelbarrows about twenty five years ago. They were the first two-wheeled barrows. Most of my buddies laughed when they saw them … until they tried them. The tubs are ten cubic feet – about ten big loads moves a full cord of wood. If you load them right, they all but push themselves.
Your comments are so useful. In the past, I have used a garden cart with the 2 bicycle wheels. I can see where these tips would be of use with the cart also.
I always enjoy your videos.
Thanks.
Thanks Mike for all your tips. I have a special folder I keep them in for references.
Thanks for this great reminder, Mike! My back thanks you too!
Thanks Mike. I’m still using the wheelbarrow that was part of my Da’s tools. I gone through a lot of number 10 cans patching rust holes in it. But Da had moved the wheel back at one point, just as you’ve described.
I know it seems funny to some people this wheel barrow video but it meant the world to me. I am an older/mature woman and I am planning to buy my first wheel barrow in the spring. I never could figure the difference in styles and price now….I know what to do and how to do it without hurting my back as well. THANKS!
Thanks, Mike! Very timely…I have to move a ton (maybe, literally) of compost via wheelbarrow this afternoon. You may have saved me some back pain.
I’ve never seen a wheelbarrow with sides up like that. I’ve always had to have one with 2 wheels!!
Enjoy you always Mike!
I always enjoy your down-to -earth information. Thanks for the time you spend sharing. I just wish I could find suppliers of rooted cuttings in Australia! A tip that someone taught me years ago about using a wheelbarrow, is to always point it in the direction you want to take it BEFORE you fill it up. So many people wheel it up to a pile – nose in, load it, then try to turn it around to take it back the way they came.
I’m glad someone mentioned about laying the wheelbarrow (WB) down beside the soil/rock(s) and dragging the material into the bucket then using your body weight to tip it upright. I moved stones I could not have begun to pick up. But you and every comment I read failed to mention how important it is to keep the tire at it’s FULL inflation. An under inflated tire can increase your pushing resistance by as much as 50%. The only time I might possibly use an under inflated tire is when I was going sideways across a slippery slope to possibly improve the traction of the tire. It’s also cheaper to replace the handles with steel and paint the bucket than to buy a new WB. I’m still using my repaired WB from 40 years ago.
This is good info for wheelbarrows. I had to figure this out on my own as I had never used one before moving to Interior Alaska. I grew up on the coast of the state and there isn’t a lot of gardening down there. Now I use my wheelbarrow for a lot of things. I pretty much watched this to see if I was doing anything wrong. Gladly, I’m not. I have to clean all of the sled dog areas and have to clean up my chicken coop,especially in the fall and spring. I’m only 40 now but I don’t see my way of living changing anytime soon so these are good tips to keep in mind. I do have a bad lower back and this is truly the best way to move things through the yard. I haven’t had any back problems at all since I started doing this. I would think that using two wheels would be more cumbersome, kind of like driving a 4 wheeler vs. a 3 wheeler. I could always go more places with my 3 wheeler than with a 4 wheeler, IMO.
Ialwayse enjoy your comments Mike..rtght now aftr surgery in bed on my back,,I wish I HAD SOME DUCK EGGS we would make a good family…I use garden way cart and find it more stable and a cart I hang on my midsized garden tractor..Good LUCK with your stuff,,,may havr tocallon you for somehelp Gottfried
I welded a wheel on each brace on the back end of the wheel barrow! Works great, I don’t have to left it all the time
just push it. Works great!
Gordon,
Interesting approach for sure!
Thanks for your concern about people and their wheelbarrows. Great video. I love my Jackson. I have a two wheel unit that I would not trade for the world. I have to replace the plastic part and I find it costs as much as the whole unit. So be it! Charlie in VA
Mike thanks for the tip about the wheel on the barrow. I learned years ago about the loading after cleaning stalls all my life. I didn’t know about the wheel, I wish the plastic barrows have the wheel under the front. I will have to check, I find the steel wheel barrow to heavy, I am 72 and have a very bad back from all the haying in the old days. Whenever I take a cutting from a few trimmings of Forsythia or Butterfly bushes I just put them next two a faucet in the garden and it makes them easy to water and keep track of. Thanks for your wonderful tips…Naoma
I work at Lowe’s Home Improvement in NC. We sell a lot of wheelbarrows and people generally go for the cheapest one. I have one rusting away in my backyard. Gonna make a flower pot out of it this year, thanks so much for the idea everyone! Back to the wheelbarrow…Lowe’s sells 2 Jackson wheelbarrows, I am going to check out the wheel location when I get to work today. Great information that I can pass on to buyers about why getting a more expensive wheelbarrow can actually save money in the long run. Thanks ever so much. There may very well be one in my future soon as well, my anniversary is coming up soon.
Can’t wait to tell my husband why I just have to have one, heheheheh
Annie, no matter what you are doing the best tools will always make your job easier, probably safer and definitely more enjoyable. Nothing worse than trying to work with a tool that just won’t do the job. -Mike McGroarty
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