Wheelbarrow Review

Our previous semi-nomadic life did not require or allow a wheelbarrow.

Here on the homestead, a wheelbarrow is a must. Due to the steep slopes, I wanted a two-wheel version to avoid tipping over. With over 80 inches of rain, I wanted the barrow to be thick plastic if I could find a model that seemed rugged enough.

I had previously bought a used Gorilla Carts cart and found it to be an excellent and rugged little cart.  Once, I was able to load my semi-conscious and injured neighbor into my Gorilla Cart and haul him over heavily rutted roads back home.  (A wheelbarrow is much better than a travois for that purpose, btw. ) So, I was open to the Gorilla Carts brand being rugged.

I found an assembled Gorilla Carts wheelbarrow at a hardware store in town. Technically, it is the 7 cu. ft. Evolution Poly Yard Cart. I paid $130, which was competitive with most of the other new,  two wheeled barrows  available.

I have used it for two months now. It is the best wheelbarrow I have used, as a wheelbarrow. Due to the plastic barrow portion, I won't be using it as surface to mix materials with a steel shovel like I have done with cement in a steel barrow. I do not live in an area that gets super cold, so I am not concerned about the plastic barrow getting brittle. Steel barrows, which inevitably get scratched through the coatings rust away in this environment.  

This wheelbarrow does not tip sideways on steep slopes like a one wheeler. This means my mom and my wife can more safely use it. The ergonomic handles are MUCH better to use than plain wheelbarrow handles, and the square frame steel tubing of the handles and frame seems bombproof.  It is easy to dump the material out the front gradually, because of the weight of the load being on two points rather than one.

The geometry of the bottom surface of the barrow is also well thought out. It is flat, rather than curved. This makes it easy to scoop out with a square tipped shovel, and also allow the easy and secure hauling of plastic tubs.

I even tested it, and , yes, it can  comfortably haul that one previously semi-conscious previous neighbor around.

Anyway, if you are in the market for a new wheelbarrow, you might consider this one.

Happy Hauling!


 

Sounds great!

We have three of these - I catch them on sale.

Husband has used them on oil drilling rigs as well as around the homestead.

The big wheels will go over many obstructions.

Very steady.

Flat bottom.

The one downside we have found is the wheels "stick out" on the side and if you forget to allow for that while making aisles, you're in trouble. LOL

Rubbermaid big wheel wheelbarrow