Wheelbarrow

A wheelbarrow is designed to carry relatively small loads of materials and is mainly used on building sites or in gardens. They are hand propelled carts which allow heavy goods to be transported safely and easily. The wheelbarrows basic design has not differed over the centuries; it usually consists of one wheel at the front, a lightweight frame with a tray, legs and long handles near the user. When the user would like to move the wheelbarrow all they have to do is lift the handles, which will subsequently lift the legs, and push forward. The wheelbarrow is designed to relay the pressure of a heavy load onto the front wheel in order to relieve it from the users hands or back. A wheelbarrow can carry around six cubic feet of materials or a hundred and seventy litres.

The wheelbarrows origin is often disputed, many say that wheelbarrows were first used in Ancient Greece around the fourth century BCE whereas other say that is was actually discovered in China around the first century BCE. Another theory is that both the Greeks and the Chinese invented the wheelbarrow separately and therefore can share the recognition.

Wheelbarrows come in a variety of sizes in order to suit the needs of different users. They are extremely useful at carrying a wide range of materials that are heavy, wet, dry or just awkward to carry. They allow goods or materials to be transported quickly without hassle and are useful for all ages to use. Wheelbarrows that are designed for the garden are carefully adapted in order to avoid damaging your lawn by having wide wheels.

The rule of thumb for any builder or DIY expert is that if can fit into the wheelbarrow then it can most probably be moved using one. Do take care however not to over do it in order to avoid any injuries. Always bend your knees and keep you back straight when lifting the wheelbarrow to avoid putting too much pressure on your back.

There are also wheelbarrows that have two wheels in order to offer more stability on ground which is level however a wheelbarrow with only one wheel allow it to be easily manoeuvred around a building site or garden where surfaces can often be uneven. A one wheeled wheelbarrow also allows the user to have better control of what they choose to carry, especially when carrying heavy loads.

Wheelbarrows may be a simple design but they are extremely useful. Whether they are used on a building site or just in your everyday garden they are very effective at lightening the load. Many tasks that could be found difficult are made easy and they also improve time efficiency. Remember to take due care when operating the wheelbarrow and choose one which best suits your needs. For extremely heavy loads ask someone to assist you with pushing or pulling in order to avoid any back strain.