Annoying Wheelbarrow Design

[Dave]

Having purchased a wheelbarrow some years ago of the rather standard design, I never liked it. The design is an "A" frame of 2x2-ish lumber attached to the metal "bucket" area. Ahead of the tire the 2x2's are tied together with a metal cross brace. The problem with the design is that this cross brace is too low and too likely to snag on the ground, especially if the ground is uneven.

A few days ago I finally decided to saw that "nose piece" off, so I did and the result seems quite adequate, and MUCH LESS ANNOYING. If I ever decide to add strengthening perhaps I'll build a brace above the tire or add angle iron to the bottom of the wooden frame, but I doubt that will be necessary.

[Eric Tonks]

I agree that the current wheelbarrows are badly designed, especially with the cheap wood and the undersized wheel they use. It is difficult for anyone over 5' 4" to use. I have an 30 year old wheelbarrow that has a tubular steel frame. The frame is not straight but curves to put the handles at a correct height and to put the nose at its correct height, and has a large steel wheel with inflated rubber tire. It was not expensive when I bought it, but I cannot find an equivalent to replace it with, even the large size replacement wheels for it seemed to dissappeared from the market.

[Jon Endres, PE]

OK, Dave, now load that sucker right up full with wet concrete, wheel it somewhere that you want to dump it, and without using a wheel chock, dump it right where you want it.

Bet you fail. That brace is there for a reason - to use as a pivot point for dumping.

JE

[Frank K.]

Is the wheelbarrow assembled properly? The axle should be mounted below the wood. I've seen one that was mounted above the wood, causing the problem you were having.

Just a thought.

Frank

[Dave]

More likely I would snag the nose somewhere, lose my balance, and dump a good portion of the load on my way to the desired location. It is a trade off, surely, but I just don't do much precision dumping, day to day.

['nuther Bob]

I have a wheelbarrow with the exact same design issue. If you go over the slightest bump on rough terrain it grounds out.

I cut the lumber shorter and reinstalled the brace. It's closer to the wheel, but since the tire doesn't grow, it's not a problem. I suppose one day I'll bend it and it will rub - and then the claw hammer will have a job to do.

Bob