Anyone with a moderate sized garden or possibly an allotment is going to need a wheelbarrow. They are the perfect way for you to be able to move plants, garden debris, lawn clippings or heavier items around when you are working. You will also find them used on many renovation and building jobs as a perfect transportation method. On top of all of this, you can guarantee to see them on every farm or equestrian yard!
This versatile tool really is an essential part of daily life for so many reason…but even wheelbarrows are becoming more technology centred and advanced to maximize their usability. The best way to do this is to purchase a motorised wheelbarrow. These tools are going to have a basic motor/engine so that instead of you having to put all the work into pushing the contents around – the wheelbarrow will do it for you.
A motorised wheelbarrow is perfect for anyone that is wanting to reduce the amount of effort that they are having to put into their work in the garden, especially anyone who suffers with back or wrist problems. They are also perfect for anyone that is regularly working with heavier items such as bricks or rubble, or anyone that has a garden on an incline!
In A Hurry?
If you are fed up pushing around your standard wheelbarrow and having it tip backwards every time you go up a slight hill then here is where you need to be. One too many loads of manure fallen off the wheelbarrow onto you when you’ve run out of momentum? Then keep reading…
Power
The reason you are looking to buy a motorised wheelbarrow is for the power – without this you might as well just stick to a standard wheelbarrow! When looking at a motorised wheelbarrow you will have two choices – electric or petrol.
Electric motorised wheelbarrows are going to be your slightly cheaper option, with a battery powered engine. These are going to be your cheaper option to run as you are only having to recharge the battery and should offer enough power for most average load. The battery on most models is going to be a 12V lithium-ion battery which will be able to last for a number of trips before needing to be recharged. If you are carrying seriously heavy loads then there will be 24V models which will be able to last for up to 5 hours.
Your second option is going to be a petrol model. These are going to be slightly more expensive but with that you are going to get more power so they are perfect for those really heavy loads or if you are working in particularly difficult areas and terrains! The only real downside to the petrol motorised wheelbarrows is that you are having to buy fuel to keep them running, however if you have other petrol power tools then this will be something you are used to anyway! You also need to consider the maintenance that the engine is going to need, such as replacing filters, oil and spark plugs!
TOP TIP: If you decide that a petrol model is going to be right for you then we would definitely recommend checking the noise level of the machine. Some petrol motorised wheelbarrows can be really quite noisy, which isn’t what you want if you are trying to work peacefully down at your allotment!
Best Pick – Hyundai HYTD300
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Wheels or Caterpillar Tracks?
One of the main reasons that we like motorised wheelbarrows is having the choice between standard wheelbarrow wheels or caterpillar tracks.
Wheels are going to be the more traditional way to go and if you are new to motorised wheelbarrows then this could be the better option for you. They are going to be easier to maneuver around more difficult places in your garden or allotment and are also much easier to maintain or repair if needed.
But, there are many benefits to the caterpillar tracks as well! Caterpillar tracks are made to handle unstable, sloping terrain and are regularly used on building sites because they are so reliable! They are also going to be much more robust and better suited to coping with heavier loads on muddy ground where you may find wheels just becoming stuck! They are going to need more maintenance and IF something goes wrong then you are going to have a lot more repair work on your hands, but this is unlikely and is far outweighed by the benefits and stability they are able to offer!
Overall Weight and Load
When looking at the weight of your motorised wheelbarrow you don’t just need to consider the weight of the wheelbarrow itself but also the weight that it is going to be able to carry!
The unloaded weight is going to be the overall weight of your wheelbarrow when it is empty. These are obviously going to be more than a standard wheelbarrow as you have the engine to carry too! We found that they tended to start at around 50kgs, working all the way up to around 100kg unloaded. This is a fair weight in itself so make sure to think about what you are going to be able to handle!
You then need to look at the maximum load of the motorised wheelbarrow. This is the amount of mass that they are going to be able to carry. This ranges from around 100kg up to 500kg.
NOTE: It is important to remember that the maximum load capacity of your motorised wheelbarrow is going to be impacted by the gradient of the surface that you are working on. The wheelbarrow won’t be able to carry as much weight up a steep hill as it would on the flat!
Design
The design of your motorised wheelbarrow is really important if you are wanting it to be user friendly and efficient. There are some key features that are going to impact on this:
- Push or pull – As the name suggests, you will have a choice of handles that are positioned so that you can push or pull your wheelbarrow. This really comes down to personal preference!
- Tub shape – Different motorised wheelbarrows will have different tub designs to suit a variety of jobs. We would always recommend opting for a motorised wheelbarrow with a deep tub as this will allow you to transport more with each move. It is also worth looking out for models with a tapered design at the front, this is going to make it much easier to tip the contents accurately – particularly if you are working with liquids!
- Build Material – It is always worth checking the material that your motorised wheelbarrow is made from, as you need something that is going to be long-lasting, durable and will remain relatively rust free. You will usually find that they are going to be made from aluminium or steel, but make sure that it is powder coated or has some protection from rust if it becomes scratched as this can happen very easily!
Best Budget – Powerpac ED120
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The Best Motorised Wheelbarrows
Once you have decided on the key features that are important to you, such as power and wheel type, you need to check out these features. We looked at all the best motorised wheelbarrows and found the features that you need to check out before you buy!
Wheels
If you decide to opt for a motorised wheelbarrow with wheels then don’t forget to check how many wheels the wheelbarrow has. You’re going to have a massive range from one all the way up to 4. The more wheels you opt for, the more stable your wheelbarrow is going to be so the less chance there is of your tipping the contents over by mistake! However, less wheels are going to make it easier for you to maneuver your motorised wheelbarrow around the space that you are working – particularly if you have some tighter places and turns! If you are wanting your wheelbarrow for yard work, you may find that a 4 wheeled wheelbarrow isn’t even compatible with ramps you are getting up!
TOP TIP: Don’t forget to also check the tread that comes with the wheels. You need wheels that are going to be large, with a thick grip that will allow it to cope in a variety of different ground types!
Motorised Features
There are some key features specific to motorised wheelbarrows that are going to be worth looking out for:
- Variable speed – We would recommend opting for a motorised wheelbarrow with variable speed options as this will make it easier to control the wheelbarrow on different surfaces!
- Gradient – Don’t forget to check the gradient that your wheelbarrow is going to be able to work up to. Some will be able to work up to 45% whereas others will be much less than this!
- Towing ability – Some of the best motorised wheelbarrows will actually have the ability to tow a small trailer if you should need them to, which is a great way to maximise the load that you can carry!
- Tipping assist – Some motorised wheelbarrows will have the standard manual tip that you would find with any wheelbarrow, but others will have power-assisted tipping. This is particularly handy for if you are regularly working with heavier items, as the supported lift will tip the tray and its contents wherever you need!
- Start up – Your startup is either going to be manual or electric. We would always recommend looking for an electric starter if possible as these can be switched on with the simple push of a button which is going to make your life so much easier in the long run!
- Usability – It is important to check the controls of how you actually drive your motorised wheelbarrow. Make sure to check whether there are gears for different speeds, how easy the triggers are to use and the quality of the braking system that comes with the machine (as you definitely don’t want it running away with you!).
Added Extras!
- Removable tanks and trays – If you know that you are going to be carrying a variety of different materials then look out for motorised wheelbarrows that come with tanks and trays that can be replaced or adjusted for if you are wanting to carry liquids, solids or dust and debris.
- Four wheel drive – If you are working in particularly difficult ground conditions or gradients then you might find that a standard 2 wheel drive isn’t quite enough. If that is the case then don’t panic, there are models that come with 4 wheel drive to help you get the job done!
- Add-On Features – We understand that you are probably going to want the best value for money! If this is the case look out for a motorised wheelbarrow that is compatible with a range of different attachments such as trailers, snow plows or even blades. Although it is unlikely that these will come with the attachments that you need, they can always be added on at a later date.
Best of the Rest
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Frequently Asked Questions
What warranty do motorised wheelbarrows come with?
You will usually find that motorised wheelbarrows come with quite a considerable warranty, due to the size and price of the machine. We found that these ranged from a minimum of around 3 years all the way up to around 15 years. It is important to check what is covered under the warranty and what the manufacturers have considered “consumable” parts.
How should I maintain my motorised wheelbarrow?
All motorised wheelbarrows are going to need to be cleaned down regularly and stored in a dry, clean environment if you are wanting them to last for a long time. Electric motorised wheelbarrows aren’t going to need too much else in the way of maintenance, apart from the occasional oiling of moving parts and checking the pressure of the tyres. Petrol motorised wheelbarrows are going to need a lot more maintenance, including oil changes and spark plugs being replaced. This obviously depends on how often you use your wheelbarrow but it is recommended at least once a year!
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