Wheelbarrows for Older People?

[Ferdinand]

I am looking for a smallish wheelbarrow suitable for my mum (81, 5'2", uses walking stick) to use around the garden.

 

Does anyone have any experience of models they would recommend? I get nobbled for any heavy or prickly jobs, so it is mainly for moving eg plants and pots and clippings around - that kind of thing.

 

(Yes, I know at all the older - undefined - people on buildhub could construct a lighthouse on Rockall in a morning using a Mirror Dinghy and Medium Density Breezeblocks, but there does come a time when we become a little less Incredible-Hulk-like). 

 

Ferdinand

 

 

[Barney12]

My gran had one of these but it might be a bit too small:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-78643-Expert-Garden-Caddy/dp/B01DSWJ2CS/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1503643151&sr=8-8&keywords=Small+wheelbarrow

[Jeremy Harris]

There are electric ones about, like this: http://www.big-wheelbarrows.co.uk/3-sherpa-electric-wheelbarrow.htm

 

That's a pretty big one, but I'm sure I've seen some smaller ones, I just cant seem to find the links at the moment.

[Onoff]

Make one!

 

http://buggies.builtforfun.co.uk/index.php

[Nickfromwales]

Look for one with a ball, not a tyre. Ask that Dyson fella to knock you one up, failing that ask @Onoff, but that may only be of any good if she lives to 102

 

[Onoff]

As per title really, best way to move them I find:

 

 

[joe90]

How about a two wheeled barrow, my dad used to have a problem balancing the barrow when he got older?

[Construction Channel]

Would she be better with some kind of cart? Takes all the lifting out of it just need to drag it around. Only advantage of a wheelbarrow really is being able to tip. Or you could get a tipping cart ( not that I can see it being any good at tipping) e.g VonHaus 75L Garden Tipping Cart Dump Truck Wheelbarrow Trolley https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01DKTQLH8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RsbOzb6FA1YHK

[Nickfromwales]

2 minutes ago, Construction Channel said:

Would she be better with some kind of cart? Takes all the lifting out of it just need to drag it around. Only advantage of a wheelbarrow really is being able to tip. Or you could get a tipping cart ( not that I can see it being any good at tipping) e.g VonHaus 75L Garden Tipping Cart Dump Truck Wheelbarrow Trolley https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01DKTQLH8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RsbOzb6FA1YHK

Looks spot on, and it doesn't have to be filled full each time so maybe 25kg at a time ? 

[ToughButterCup]

Well, I use a cart already and I'm sixty something. It's brilliant. It can take 100kg, has flop-down sides, and front or rear (depends how you look at it ) steering, just the ticket.

 

If it was stolen I'd order another that day

[Onoff]

1 hour ago, recoveringacademic said:

Well, I use a cart already and I'm sixty something. It's brilliant. It can take 100kg, has flop-down sides, and front or rear (depends how you look at it ) steering, just the ticket.

 

If it was stolen I'd order another that day

 

You want to be bloody careful trying the wheelbarrow with your dodgy hips! 

[ToughButterCup]

If I could find a sodding wheelbarrow with run-flat tyres, they are always going down on me. And that means I just buy a new wheelbarrow......

[Construction Channel]

4 minutes ago, recoveringacademic said:

If I could find a sodding wheelbarrow with run-flat tyres, they are always going down on me. And that means I just buy a new wheelbarrow......

they do make them with solid tyres, but in this case you might get away with just filling it with foam  

 

https://www.manomano.co.uk/wheelbarrow-wheel-2152?model_id=1076407&referer_id=537135&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlf_MBRDUARIsAD8Gj8C-3UtdhbduF3SgKywNJJfEEe3x9hT0NiY9ND108dUWO1TTRbvHOfcaAnNTEALw_wcB

[Jeremy Harris]

I've replaced mine with one of these: https://www.wheelforwheelbarrow.co.uk/

Not cheap at around £30, but worth it for the lack of hassle.

[Onoff]

Even cheaper:

 

 

[Triassic]

Maybe a powered wheel barrow with a seat ! 

 

 

Edited August 25, 2017 by Triassic

[Onoff]

Check out Clip 3, I can see his Mum on one:

 

http://buggies.builtforfun.co.uk/Carrier/index.html

[Ferdinand]

8 hours ago, JSHarris said:

I've replaced mine with one of these: https://www.wheelforwheelbarrow.co.uk/

Not cheap at around £30, but worth it for the lack of hassle.

 

Ironically, £30 is exactly what it costs me for a new builders' barrow.

 

The local BM do identical barrows in chrome, black and green at 3 different prices.

 

Ferdinand

 

[Ferdinand]

Thanks for the responses.

 

We had a two wheeled one tears ago ... difficult at corners and in not quite straight lines.

 

I do not think I will get an electric one through due to cost.

 

One thing I have not mentioned is that an ideal loaded height would be 12 to 15 inches.

 

Cheers for the comments so far.

[SteamyTea]