It is speculated that the wheelbarrow had it’s beginnings as early as 100 B.C., it’s original design being a simple platform or basket with a large wheel underneath and a pair of handles which the operator used to push it along. It was obviously designed as a “carrier”, and the loads it has carried have varied widely throughout the years. Spanning many cultures all over the world, it has been a vital piece of equipment in a variety of occupations.
Wheelbarrows have a long and honorable history. They have been used in early military operations to transport supplies and injured soldiers. Various forms and designs have been found throughout history to transport produce and carry building materials for construction. Wheelbarrows were crucial to world-wide mining operations as well. While the wheelbarrow is still vital to such large-scale operations today, it has also become highly valued by individual homeowners, like you and me, for gardening and landscaping. So just how has this simple apparatus managed to endure the test of time?
The wheelbarrow’s simple, unmotorized design has ensured its popularity and survival. First of all, it’s a one-man/woman operation. No assistance is required—although an occasional glass of cold lemonade during an outdoor yard project would be appreciated. The small design of a wheelbarrow allows you to maneuver it into small spaces and tight corners in your yard and garden. Though the original design from 100 B.C has been effective, mankind has a natural disposition to improve his condition, especially if such improvements would make his burdens easier to bear. Such has been the case with the wheelbarrow.
The engineers at Lifetime products are all about improving our existence by turning everyday products we need to use, into the products we love to use. First, they designed the Lifetime wheelbarrow so that it distributes more weight to the wheels and less to the operator, decreasing your workload by 85%! They’ve designed a wider wheel base and lower center of gravity to provide greater load stability—no more wobbling or pulled back muscles! The front of the tub has been tapered so you have more control when dumping your load. And speaking of the load, go ahead and fill ‘er up! The sides of the Lifetime wheelbarrow are designed with slots so the sides can be built up with wooden slats to accommodate high, bulky loads (up to 550 lbs!).
While the most significant improvements have been for practical purposes, you’ll also appreciate the fact that a Lifetime wheelbarrow is made out of 100% post-consumer recycled material with a heavy-duty plastic tub and rust-resistant, powder-coated steel frame. This is one piece of equipment that won’t be joining the ranks of rusted farm machinery out in the pasture.
So let’s hear it for the humble wheelbarrow. You’ve come a long way baby! As long as innovative human nature continues to drive us to create tools that can accomplish more with less effort, the wheelbarrow will be an indispensable figure in the ongoing history of manual labor.