Choose the best wheel for your wheelbarrow
Wheelbarrow wheels with pneumatic tires
The type of the FORT wheelbarrow often determines which wheels are available, but there is still the choice of a normal rubber tire with groove, the 2PLy, or with a block profile, the 4PLy. These wheelbarrow wheels are tubeless and have no inner tube as standard. However, it is possible to fit an inner tube later, although this sometimes requires some time and technique. The profile determines the grip of the tire, especially on slippery surfaces or in, for example, dirt or mud. It is not a huge difference, which is why the 2PLy tire is often used as standard for wheelbarrow wheels. The tires are fitted around a rim, which is made of plastic with high-quality UV protection. In this way, the rim does not discolour in the sun and the plastic lasts longer, even when the wheelbarrow is used often, even in harsh weather.
For extra strength, wheelbarrow wheels with these tires are also available with a steel rim. This strength is necessary when a lot of work is done with heavy loads. For example when the wheelbarrow is used often for moving stones and tiles. Carrying these loads is possible with a regular wheelbarrow tire without any problems, but when this happens frequently, the steel rim offers just that extra security that the wheelbarrow wheel will last for a long time.
Wheelbarrow wheels that cannot be punctured
The so-called puncture proof wheels that are available for the FORT wheelbarrows come in a variety of sorts. There is a wheelbarrow wheel for the real DIY-user (the Flex Lite), for the regular handyman (the iCore 2 Pro) and for the real professional (the Flex PRO). These wheelbarrow wheels have been developed in such a way that they do not depend on air filling. In other words, they are massive, equipped with a full-foam tire that will not puncture and lose volume, even though it is driven through a studded path. The build-up of the foam ensures that the tires still have the necessary elasticity. Therefor these tires can be used, as if there is a wheelbarrow wheel with pneumatic tire under the wheelbarrow.
The difference in the gradations of the anti-seize wheelbarrow wheels is again in the rim. All wheels that are supplied under a FORT wheelbarrow have a load capacity of 150 kg, but the wheelbarrow wheels for the professional have a rim that is slightly more robust, due to the harsh conditions with which they work. The high quality that we can expect from producer STARCO is reflected in all these wheels. In addition, all wheels used by Altrad Fort are PAH-free and REACH certified. That makes choosing these wheels a lot easier.
Tip to maintain your wheelbarrow wheel
Wheelbarrows often stand still and if they are not used, it has an effect on the wheelbarrow wheel. The advice is therefore always to store a wheelbarrow upright, so that it stands on the bracket in front of the wheel, with the handles against the wall. This way the wheelbarrow wheel is not resting on the ground carrying the weight of the wheelbarrow. The tire softens less quickly this way or, as is possible with the anti-puncture wheels, the foam of the tires doesn't flatten. In any case, never leave a wheelbarrow standing still while fully loaded for a long time. This does not benefit any wheelbarrow wheel.
In short, choose the right wheel and always store the wheelbarrow upright. This way you will enjoy your wheelbarrow for a long time.
