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Garden Carts & Wheelbarrows
Many garden tasks require moving materials
that are too heavy or inconvenient to carry.
For these you will need a garden cart or
wheelbarrow. Wheelbarrows have sloped trays
mounted on a frame with one or two wheels
in the front. They are easy to push and maneuver;
loads can be dumped by tilting them forward.
Carts have straight sides and two or more
large wheels. They need to be pulled but
are more stable and can carry larger loads
than wheelbarrows. Both should be made from
heavy duty rust resistant metals such as
powder coated steel, aluminum or heavy gauge
plastic. Carts and wheelbarrows can be purchased
in garden centers, home improvement stores,
or from online sites.
The following should be considered
when buying
a cart or wheelbarrow:
- Wheelbarrows are made in a variety of sizes
depending on what they will
be used for.
- The average homeowner who wants to haul dirt
and plants will want at least a four cubic
foot wheelbarrow with 16 inch, two ply tires
and sturdy handles made from wood, metal
or plastic.
- Moving heavier construction materials such
as bricks, gravel, or concrete will require
a larger wheelbarrow with four ply tires.
- Light weight wheelbarrows with folding heavy
duty fabric trays can be handy for moving
leaves or firewood.
Wheelbarrows can be hung on the wall of a
storage shed or garage when not in use.
- Garden carts work best when they are pulled
over relatively smooth terrain. They are
made with two, three, or four wheels. Those
with four wheels are the most stable.
- If you will be moving heavy loads up and
down hilly areas, consider buying a motorized
cart. Small carts can be powered by electric
motors with rechargeable batteries; larger
carts come with gasoline engines. Some carts
come with fold down handles for tighter storage.
When selecting either a wheelbarrow
or a
garden cart, remember that foam
filed and
solid tires are better than pneumatic
tires
since they cannot go flat. |
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