Number of wheels
The number of wheels provided in the design of the wheelbarrow / trolley (see "Type"). Actually, trolleys, by definition, have two wheels — this is the optimal number, taking into account the peculiarities of their transportation; but cars can be made both one- and
two-wheeled. The first option is not so convenient, since the user has to make additional efforts to maintain balance during transportation; on the other hand,
one wheel increases the manoeuvrability of a wheelbarrow and allows it to go where a two-wheeled model simply “does not fit” — for example, along a narrow walkway at a construction site. Well, if stability is important to you, and there are no bottlenecks along the path of the wheelbarrow, you should pay attention to two-wheeled models, especially since they are more passable: the weight of the load is distributed on two wheels, and they do not fall into the ground as much as one .
Wheel diameter
The diameter of the wheel(s) of a wheelbarrow or trolley (see "Type"). Permeability primarily depends on this parameter: the larger the wheel, the less sensitive it is to pits and irregularities, and the easier it is to carry the entire structure over rough terrain. At the same time, in carts (including ladders, see "Type"), the diameter of the wheels is relatively small — it rarely exceeds 250 mm. But for wheelbarrows 200 – 250 mm is considered a very limited indicator — most models use wheels with a diameter of 300 to 400 mm.
Load capacity
Wheelbarrow / trolley capacity — the maximum weight of the load that can be constantly carried on it.
In this case, a load capacity
of up to 150 kg is considered small; wheelbarrows in this category are intended mainly for gardening, and carts for relatively small loads like a sack of potatoes or a couple of sacks of cement. Models for
150 – 200 kg can be attributed to the middle category, among them it already makes sense to look for cars for construction work of a relatively small volume. And in the most durable and "hardy" products, this figure can
exceed 200 kg, reaching 500 kg or even more.
It is worth noting that most modern wheelbarrows / carts (especially at the beginning of operation) can easily carry short-term loads that exceed the claimed carrying capacity without visible consequences. However, overloading the structure is highly discouraged: in such cases, it will experience off-design stress, which reduces the overall service life and increases the risk of failure at the most inopportune moment.
Body capacity
The total volume of the body of a wheelbarrow or trolley (if any, see "Type"). The larger the body, the more cargo can be placed in it, especially when it comes to liquid or bulk materials. At the same time, it should be noted that manufacturers usually choose a body for a particular model taking into account its carrying capacity; therefore, when choosing, it makes sense to look first of all at the weight of the cargo being transported, and only then — at the volume of the body.
In addition, note that the volume is measured to the upper edge of the body — this means that loose or other materials that can be loaded “with a slide” can fit more in a wheelbarrow than stated in the volume specifications.
Wheel guard
The presence of a
strut in the design of the wheelbarrow (see "Type").
A strut is called a fixture in the area of \u200b\u200bthe front wheel (s); it can be made as a U-shaped piece between the wheels, a pipe around the wheel, two separate shaped pipes in front of each wheel, and the like. Anyway, the strut significantly simplifies the unloading of the wheelbarrow: with a strong forward tilt (for example, if you need to pour sand on a pile), it rests on the ground and works as a support — this is much more convenient and safer than resting the wheelbarrow on a freely spinning wheel.
In addition, the strut can play the role of a third support (along with the support legs) even if the wheel needs to be removed — for example, to close a hole.
Weight
Total weight of an empty wheelbarrow/cart in standard working configuration (if equipped with detachable support legs — with legs installed, see above). This parameter allows you to estimate how much excess weight you will have to carry with you in addition to the actual cargo. However it doesn't always make sense to chase light weight — it can mean less strength.
