Describe the Different Parts of a Wheelbarrow

Wheelbarrows can make moving building supplies much easier.

A wheelbarrow is a small, single-wheeled cart designed to carry soil, wood, stone and even human beings. These carts are meant to be pushed by one person via the handles, though heavily-laden wheelbarrows may need another person to steady them. According to Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things, wheelbarrows have been around since at least A.D. 200. Their basic construction has varied little over time.

Wheel

Wheelbarrows usually feature a large, single wheel at the front of the vehicle. Older wheelbarrows usually have wheels made of either wood or metal. Modern wheelbarrows often feature a pneumatic tire, similar to those on a car or bicycle. Some modern wheelbarrow-carts feature two wheels at the front for greater stability. This design keeps the wheelbarrow from tipping over as easily, but makes it more difficult to steer.

Box

The main body of the wheelbarrow is a box or tray. Ancient wheelbarrows tended to have a very boxy shape, while more recent models are often molded to make certain activities, like mixing and pouring concrete, easier to accomplish. Wheelbarrow boxes can be made from wood, metal or plastic. Wooden wheelbarrows are easy to make at home, but relatively difficult to clean and prone to absorb liquids. Plastic wheelbarrows resist water, but may not do well in strong sunlight, and can break when subjected to impact. Metal wheelbarrow boxes are the most durable, but also the heaviest. They may rust over time.

Handles

Wheelbarrows have two long handles, or sometimes a single, C-shaped or bar-shaped handle. The two-handled design allows for greater maneuverability, especially when pushing the wheelbarrow, while the straight handle makes pulling a heavily laden wheelbarrow easier. Straight handles are more common on two-wheeled, cart-like models. These are usually made of plastic or metal, while traditional double wheelbarrow handles are often made from wood.

Braces

In addition to the wheel, a wheelbarrow also has a pair of braces or pegs, located under the rear part of the box. These are often made of metal, but historical wheelbarrows may have had wood braces. These act as a support for the wheelbarrow when it's not in motion and to keep it from tipping over. To move the wheelbarrow, the operator simply lifts the back end up so that the braces are no longer in contact with the ground.

Sail

Some older Chinese wheelbarrows included a sail, similar to those used on ships. These sail-assisted wheelbarrows, also sometimes called "land-junks," made it easier to move heavy loads in the direction of the prevailing wind. If the wind is strong enough, the operator of a sail-assisted wheelbarrow only needs to steer the vehicle. These wheelbarrows were relatively bulky and fell out of use in the early 20th century.

References

• The Medieval Technology Pages; The Wheelbarrow; Paul J. Gans
• "Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things"; Charles Panati; 1989
• "Popular Mechanics"; Build This Graceful Wheelbarrow; Tom Crabb; March 1985
• "Popular Mechanics"; The Long Haul; Roy Berendsohn; March 2000
• "Popular Mechanics"; A Homeowner's Guide to Wheelbarrows; Roy Berendsohn; December 7, 2004
• BBC: Wheelbarrows