I donât have a clue.
Whatever Harbor Frieght carried at the time.
It looks like the one @Bluey linked to, but I donât know if it has the same capacity.
Iâll be 74 this year.
I load the handcart when itâs lying flat.
If I need to rest, I can just drop the handle.
Worst thing that happens is if I drop it in wet or muddy ground. Then I end up with dirty hands or clothes, but no harm otherwise.
@Jarpur Best advice I have is:
Slow down.
Take your time getting things done.
& Trust your gut if it says you need to double-check something. Short term memory can be tricky.
I do also have a hand truck to move hay around. But rather than being sensible and moving one bale at a time, I try to stack 3 bales on it. Thatâs when it gets away, and it is my fault for refusing to gracefully accept aging.
I take care of my own barn and horses without any backup. Deep down I know that I am just one back injury from my lifestyle with horses being over and that I need to pace myself better.
But this kind of sums it all up for me.
Same here.
Just me for 20yrs this August.
My Personal Standard for Too Old is when I can no longer lift the 50# bags of grain from the handcart to pour into the galvanized cans.
So far, so good & thatâs where my Take Your Time mantra applies
I hate to hijack this thread and make it about horse keeping for older owners. I discovered that Chewy sells the same ration balancer that I have been buying in 50 pound bags, but packed in 30 pound bags. It works out to be a bit more expensive, but 30 pounds is so much easier to handle
The only problem is that Chewy insists on packing 2 bags per shipping box, so 60 pounds. But I just open the box wherever the Fedex driver leaves it and take out one bag at a time.
Iâve never had a problem with this thing in muck and mud:
Rubbermaid 8.75 cu. ft. Big Wheel Cart at Tractor Supply Co.
But I agree with the others, a four-wheeled cart is probably better if you want to pull it behind you.
Hi Foxglove
I have used various garden carts over the years, and much of the time on rough/uneven/unlevel terrain. Drag is always better than push IMO.
My favorite style is the metal mesh type with fold-down, removable sides (to make a flat-bed cart), and pneumatic tires, as I have found that they work better on rough ground. Agreed with comments regarding the tires not lasting as long as solid ones; I just keep them aired up, and replace them when they stop holding air. My current one is somewhat larger than norm, and will easily handle a two-string bale; two or three of 'em on less challenging surfaces. I donât remember who made it; it wasnât Gorilla. It came from a BigR store several years ago.
One comment I will make concerning whatever cart you are looking at, regards the steering mechanism. And itâs an important consideration, particularly when moving it over rough hilly terrain with a load. There are two steering arrangements in common use. The one on many/most carts, particularly the inexpensive models, is a solid front axle supported by a U shaped piece with a single pivot point in the center. The other variant has each front wheel steer independently, with a âsteeringâ linkage similar to that on an automobile. This is important as the first arrangement dramatically alters the balance of the cart as you turn it, and particularly on an off-camber, it will reliably dump your load every time for you. The better arrangement is not susceptible to this, as the front wheels do not change position as you steer.
The difference is huge on anything less than flat, smooth surfaces, and even then . . . Try this when you go to shop for one: Turn the steering all of the way, and push down on one of the front corners. The one with the solid axle will tip with a light push. One with real âsteeringâ will not.
I hope this makes sense; if not, just shout, and Iâll upload some fotos of the difference.
Thank you! As I have had both shoulders repaired, I am/was leaning toward push rather than pull. However, after reading your post I may reconsider. Thank you!
Youâre welcome Foxglove.
I looked while I was up at the barn getting breakfast ready this morning, and my cart was made by âStrongwayâ. It is somewhat larger, and has slightly larger wheels than most you see in this style.
This is it, at Northern Tool (On-Line):
If you look close, you can see the steering mechanism. I promise you that you will want one that works this way, and the larger diameter wheels allow it to roll over rougher ground w/o hanging up. The price they show is, IIRC, about what I paid for mine 5 or 6 years ago, and the listing says free shipping . . . Mine has been a goodân.
We have that same one, bough it at our local hardware store for $65 maybe 10 years ago.
Is super light to pull any place you want to and very stable.
The sides fold down, they had two sizes, we bought the narrower, smaller one so it fit thru smaller people doors into the barn, check that out.
ours is painted green, may be a different manufacturer.
You probably can find a million uses for it other than moving hay bales around.
You can also drag it behind something, even your pickup, as we did here carrying our paint sprayer around:
Fwiw, I find it much easier to push than pull. I can get my whole body involved, versus just yanking it around with my arms. Certainly a lot of roads to Rome here! Itâs all about what works for your body.
Love these also!