Is your wheelbarrow wheel flat again, wobbling or grinding every time you push a load?
Replacing it is a simple job. The step people most often get wrong is ordering a wheel that fits. This guide covers how to measure your old wheel, how to remove it and fit the new one, and which replacement suits your wheelbarrow best.
Why would you need to replace your wheelbarrow wheel?
The wheel of a wheelbarrow goes through a lot of wear and tear, carrying heavy loads over rough ground day after day. A new wheel makes the barrow better balanced and easier to push, so it is less likely to tip over when fully loaded and puts less strain on your back. Replacing the wheel is also far cheaper than buying a whole new wheelbarrow, and keeping your equipment in good order saves money in the long term.
Do you need a new wheel, or just a new tyre or tube?
If the tyre is flat but otherwise in good shape, a new inner tube is usually all you need. If the tyre is cracked or the tread is worn away, replace the tyre and tube together.
If the wheel is unsteady, grinds or the rim is bent, the bearing or hub has worn, and a complete new wheel is the better option. It costs little more than a tyre and tube set and pushes like new. We stock replacement tyres and inner tubes as well as complete wheels.
Measuring your wheelbarrow wheel
Choosing the right wheel comes down to three measurements: the tyre size, the axle diameter and the hub length.
Tyre size. This is printed on the sidewall of the tyre. The most common size on builders’ and garden barrows is 4.80/4.00-8, where the 8 is the rim diameter in inches. Narrower garden barrows often use 3.50-8.
Axle diameter. Measure the axle itself rather than the hole in the old wheel, which is probably worn. Our wheelbarrow wheels come with 20mm, 25mm and 25.4mm (1 inch) bores. That small difference matters, because a 25mm wheel will not slide onto a 1-inch axle.
Hub length. This is the width of the centre of the wheel, not the tyre. Most of our 8-inch wheels have a 75mm hub, and some steel-rimmed wheels are 80mm. Measure the gap between the two frame brackets. A slightly shorter hub can be made up with washers, but a longer one will not fit.
It is also worth checking the load rating. Every wheel in our range lists its bearing type and maximum load in the product name, for example ‘roller bearing 200kg’, so you can choose one suited to the loads you will be moving.
Removing the wheelbarrow wheel
- Empty the barrow and turn it upside down on flat ground, resting on the handles and the rim of the tray.
- Spray the axle nuts with penetrating oil and leave it to soak for ten minutes.
- Loosen the fixings holding the axle. Most barrows use either U-bolts around the axle or bolts through two bracket plates. Loosen both sides a little at a time so the axle does not twist.
- Lift the wheel and axle out of the frame together.
- Note the order of the washers and spacers on each side, then slide the wheel off the axle. You will need to refit them the same way. If the wheel is stuck, a little more oil and a few taps with a rubber mallet will usually free it.
If a bolt has seized completely, cut it off with a hacksaw or grinder and replace it with a new bolt of the same size.
Fitting the new wheel
Once you have chosen your new wheel from our range of wheelbarrow wheels, follow these steps:
- Clean the axle with a wire brush and roll it on a flat surface to check it is straight. A bent axle will make even a new wheel wobble.
- Apply a thin coat of grease to the axle, and to the grease nipple if your new wheel has one.
- Slide the new wheel on with the spacers back in their original order, so it sits centred.
- Refit the axle to the frame and tighten each side a little at a time. The nuts should be firm, but overtightening can strip the threads or crush a U-bolt into the axle.
- Spin the wheel by hand. It should turn freely without touching the frame or tray. Check the nuts again after the first few uses.
Pneumatic or puncture-proof?
A pneumatic wheel gives the softest ride and handles lawns, soft ground and heavy loads well, but it can puncture and needs pumping up from time to time. A puncture-proof wheel never goes flat and needs no maintenance, though the ride is firmer. It is the better choice for building sites, thorny ground, or a barrow that sits unused for months between jobs.
Popular replacement wheels:
- 4.80/4.00x8 4-ply red steel pneumatic wheel: A like-for-like replacement for most builders’ barrows, with a 25mm roller bearing and a 200kg load rating.
- 4.80/4.00x8 6-ply industrial pneumatic wheel: This heavier-duty wheel is rated to 250kg, making it a good fit for daily site use.
- 4.80/4.00x8 puncture-proof wheel on a steel rim: This wheel never goes flat and runs on a 25mm ball bearing. Note the 80mm hub before ordering.
- 3.50x8 4-ply pneumatic wheel: A good fit for narrower garden barrows on 1-inch axles.
Take a look at our full range of wheelbarrow and hand truck wheels.
If you are not sure which wheel you need, send us the tyre size, axle diameter and hub length, or a photo of your old wheel, and we will match it for you. Contact us, or call our Dublin team on +353 1 855 8111.