What can I do with the handles of my wheelbarrow?

[JoZ]

I have a wheelbarrow I’m rather fond of. It has only two drawbacks. First, it is heavy, with a metal barrow. Second, and the one I hope to fix, its handles are a little large for my hands and are slippery.

I solved the slipperiness with another wheelbarrow by wrapping in vet wrap. But I tried that with this one and of course it made them even larger. So I’m wondering about either sanding the handles to rough them up or sanding to make them smaller so I could then wrap them. I figure it would be easier to sand them just enough to rough them up, but I don’t know how effective that would be and if would last. I’m also wondering if there’s anything I could apply to the handles that would make them less slippery without being sticky.

Has anyone done anything similar, or have any good ideas? Thanks!

[Ghazzu]

Hockey tape.

[Cruiser12]

Yep, hockey tape, duct tape, electrical tape. Something should work.

[clanter]

…I was thinking on the lines of getting some one else with bigger hands to push the thing

[DancingArabian]

Use some thick, soft cord to make handles.

[Simkie]

http://www.wayfair.com/Simply-Dump-It-Simply-Dump-Wheelbarrow-Handles-SDI1001-L3776-K~BJA1000.html?refid=GX50899304700-BJA1000&device=c&ptid=75689826060&gclid=CjwKEAiAjsunBRCy3LSlz_PJqCgSJACJY7yKqqmZSxBfWM8Y2REazzp1TibRXFOobuLHNx-DfmhtdxoCnl_w_wcB

?

[crosscreeksh]

I wrapped the handles of all my wheelbarrows, pitch forks, rakes. and assorted tools with a layer of heavy weight duct tape…Don’t try to make it smooth…the wrinkles are what makes them grippy!! And yes…you could take an electric grinder to the handles first to make hem smaller.

[hosspuller]

If the handles are wooden, get a rasp and reduce the diameter to fit your hands.

Edited to add … Think of a farrier’s hoof rasp !!

[ThisTooShallPass]

I used plain white cotton tape for grip. Medical or all purpose. Buy it at CVS, WalMart or the vet. No need to wrap thick.

[crosscreeksh]

[QUOTE=hosspuller;8035183]
If the handles are wooden, get a rasp and reduce the diameter to fit your hands.[/QUOTE]

Wheelbarrow handles are made of “hardened wood”. OP will be too old to care by the time she “rasps” the handles down to size!!! Electric grinder will be much faster!!

[Showbizz]

If wooden, leave it in a drylot paddock with your beav…er, horses. Ask me how I know.

[Tom_King]

Where can I find some of this Hardened wood?

[clanter]

[QUOTE=Tom King;8035293]
Where can I find some of this Hardened wood?[/QUOTE]

they may be referring to flame hardened wood, it was a process developed by the Indians (American) …

http://www.tennesseehickoryproducts.com/handles.shtml

[saje]

You can buy replacement handles. Go to yard and garden stores or one of the mega-stores and wrap your hands around a few, see if there are some that are more comfortable for you.

If that doesn’t work maybe you could make hand stops - a knob at the end and one further up so that your whole hand can pull or push and you don’t have to rely on grip so much. A bit of PVC pipe glued on & well wrapped in tape ought to work.

Or there’s these: http://simplydumpit.com/

Or for $70 get a new wheelbarrow:
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=49850906

[gumtree]

[QUOTE=crosscreeksh;8035220]
Wheelbarrow handles are made of “hardened wood”. OP will be too old to care by the time she “rasps” the handles down to size!!! Electric grinder will be much faster!![/QUOTE]

Just about all “handles” I have come across are made from Hickory or Oak.

[gumtree]

It comes down to how much effort you want to put into it and what kind of hand and or power tools you have access to. If you have none maybe a friends has something that would work. Hands tools, an aggressive wood file most likely would be the cheapest to purchase. A draw knife is made for this sort of thing. Not sure what they cost these days, have had mine for years. The power tool to use IMO would be an orbital sander using something like 80 grit paper. A decent cheap one can be had from Harbor Freight.

Or you could go with a decent size sharp knife and whittle it down to size. As to the grip a number of suggestion have been made. Or you can buy a can of “rubber dip” that is made to coat tool handles. I have never “painted” it on but I guess it will work that way. Or take off the handles and dip them, or hang the thing dip the can. Repeat the process until you get a decent thickness. Not sure how long it will hold up being used on a daily bases. IMO it would be easier to buy a 5-10 pack of the rubber mechanic’s gloves and or the rubber palmed wool mitts that are sold at Home Depot or the like.

[kaitsmom]

[QUOTE=Tom King;8035293]
Where can I find some of this Hardened wood?[/QUOTE]
This made me blush…lol

[Hilary]

I replaced the heavy metal bin on my wheelbarrow with a new plastic one. Made taking it to horse shows a whole different endeavor!

It took a bit of muscle since it was old and the bolts were rusty, but it was very well made and I didn’t want to give it up. And the frugal yankee in me didn’t think it was necessary to replace the whole thing just because it was heavy.

[HungarianHippo]

I’m just trying to figure out which part of your wheelbarrow you’re actually fond of, if the bin’s too heavy and handles are uncomfortable. Super special wheel axle? :lol:

[gumtree]

[QUOTE=HungarianHippo;8046446]
I’m just trying to figure out which part of your wheelbarrow you’re actually fond of, if the bin’s too heavy and handles are uncomfortable. Super special wheel axle? :lol:[/QUOTE]

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. But in all fairness to the OP my wife rolls her eyes at what I am “fond of” and or hang on to.

I moved to the big plastic bin double wheeled ones years ago. Not sure why it took so long for them to come on the market. They truly are a “better mouse trap”.