Upgraded Wheelbarrow Improves Stability

2024 - Volume #48, Issue #5, Page #04

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Stephen Zonies of Waitsfield, Vt., converted a one-wheel wheelbarrow into a three-wheel barrow.
“My good neighbor, Will, upgraded his three-wheel barrow to a four-wheel barrow and graciously gifted the 3-wheeler to me. So, of course, I renamed it the ‘Will’s Barrow,’” he jokes. “And I was so impressed by its performance that I upgraded my conventional one-wheeler to the same design. These are so much more stable and easier to use.”
The modification process was straightforward. “All of the materials—wood lifts, U-clamps and PVC piping—were on hand, so I didn’t have to purchase anything,” Zonies says. “Two 8-in. wheels would’ve been the most expensive parts to purchase, probably about $23 each. And I’d guess the 1 1/2-inch PVC pipe, elbows, cement and U-bolts would add another $20 or so.”
Zonies made the handles from 1 1/2-in. PVC pipe, a diameter which he found telescopes neatly over the original wooden handles. “PVC elbows come with protruding nubbins, called sprues, which were uncomfortable while grabbing. I ground them off. ”
He’s found the upgrades well worth the effort. “It can carry more weight without my having to be Hercules. Instead of lifting the weight and trying to balance it on one wheel while turning, now I can push down and rotate on its two wheels.”
Still, he’s considering some changes for when he makes a second one. “I would have bolted or welded the rear axle onto the frame. As this was my prototype, I chose this easier-to-modify and reversible design. It’s not a very pretty modification, but it works. Larger rear wheels would have shortened the front wheel’s ‘shim,’ which was necessary to level the barrow’s top rim.”
Zonies’ best advice for those tackling wheelbarrow upgrades is to customize the measurements to match the person who will use it most. “The handle’s length and height were custom designed for my stature, as longer horizontally gives more leverage when pushing down. Height was calculated so my forearms are horizontal while traveling on level ground.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Stephen Zonies, 754 Stagecoach Rd., Waitsfield, Vt. 05673 (ph 802-461-6166; drsteve@madriver.com).

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Upgraded Wheelbarrow Improves Stability FARM SHOP Tools Stephen Zonies of Waitsfield Vt converted a one-wheel wheelbarrow into a three-wheel barrow “My good neighbor Will upgraded his three-wheel barrow to a four-wheel barrow and graciously gifted the 3-wheeler to me So of course I renamed it the ‘Will’s Barrow ’” he jokes “And I was so impressed by its performance that I upgraded my conventional one-wheeler to the same design These are so much more stable and easier to use ” The modification process was straightforward “All of the materials—wood lifts U-clamps and PVC piping—were on hand so I didn’t have to purchase anything ” Zonies says “Two 8-in wheels would’ve been the most expensive parts to purchase probably about $23 each And I’d guess the 1 1/2-inch PVC pipe elbows cement and U-bolts would add another $20 or so ” Zonies made the handles from 1 1/2-in PVC pipe a diameter which he found telescopes neatly over the original wooden handles “PVC elbows come with protruding nubbins called sprues which were uncomfortable while grabbing I ground them off ” He’s found the upgrades well worth the effort “It can carry more weight without my having to be Hercules Instead of lifting the weight and trying to balance it on one wheel while turning now I can push down and rotate on its two wheels ” Still he’s considering some changes for when he makes a second one “I would have bolted or welded the rear axle onto the frame As this was my prototype I chose this easier-to-modify and reversible design It’s not a very pretty modification but it works Larger rear wheels would have shortened the front wheel’s ‘shim ’ which was necessary to level the barrow’s top rim ” Zonies’ best advice for those tackling wheelbarrow upgrades is to customize the measurements to match the person who will use it most “The handle’s length and height were custom designed for my stature as longer horizontally gives more leverage when pushing down Height was calculated so my forearms are horizontal while traveling on level ground ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Stephen Zonies 754 Stagecoach Rd Waitsfield Vt 05673 ph 802-461-6166; drsteve@madriver com

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