Pulling or pushing a wheelbarrow?

[NY]

Given a wheelbarrow that has two wheels side by side (as opposed the normal
"unicycle" ones), with a wraparound handle that is parallel with the axle
rather than the normal separate handles that are each perpendicular to the
axle...

Is it better to pull or push a wheelbarrow, assuming that it is loaded so as
much of the weight is over the axle, with a little more on the side closer
to the handle. By "pull" I mean walking forwards, towing the barrow behind
me with hands level with buttocks, not facing the barrow and walking
backwards!

[Rod Speed]

"NY" <m...@privacy.invalid> wrote in message
news:r969h6$quk$1...@dont-email.me...

Depends on what you mean by better. Its normally less effort to
pull it but you can steer better pushing it. I take the wheelie bin
out, which we put on the kerb, by pulling, particularly when its
full of heavy stuff.

[Peeler]

On Sun, 10 May 2020 03:27:54 +1000, cantankerous trolling geezer Rodent
Speed, the auto-contradicting senile sociopath, blabbered, again:

<FLUSH the trolling senile asshole's latest trollshit unread>

--
Bill Wright to Rot Speed:
"That confirms my opinion that you are a despicable little shit."
MID: <pjqpo3$1la0$1...@gioia.aioe.org>

[Custos Custodum]

Pulling is always more efficient. If you push, the force will
generally have a downwards component which contributes nothing to the
forward movement of the barrow.

[Vir Campestris]

On 09/05/2020 20:39, Custos Custodum wrote:
> Pulling is always more efficient. If you push, the force will
> generally have a downwards component which contributes nothing to the
> forward movement of the barrow.

Not always. On rough ground pushing can allow you to pick a smoother
route. That can outweigh the better force vectors.

Andy

[The Natural Philosopher]

On 10/05/2020 07:34, Chris Hogg wrote:

> I wouldn't have thought it made much difference in that respect.
> Arguably, pulling the barrow allows you to pick a route more easily
> because you can see where you're going, rather than having the barrow
> in your sight-line.
>
For those too short to see over the top.

OTOH it a bugger to turn round and see where to tip the contents.


--
“It is hard to imagine a more stupid decision or more dangerous way of
making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people
who pay no price for being wrong.”

Thomas Sowell

[Brian Gaff (Sofa 2)]

Only when you encounter steps up, Its normally far easier to pull it up a
step than to push it up and that goes for one or two wheels.
Its the angle of the handles to the centre of the wheel that causes this.
Brian

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"NY" <m...@privacy.invalid> wrote in message
news:r969h6$quk$1...@dont-email.me...

[John]

As an aside - why does a Dyson (and possibly other uprights) seem to leave
the carpet looking better when pulled across.

And why are carper shampoo machines designed to be pulled when pushing may
be more intuitive?

[tabb...@gmail.com]

Depends on the ground, the load & the wheel type. Try it & see.


NT

[tabb...@gmail.com]

On Sunday, 10 May 2020 09:30:56 UTC+1, John wrote:
> As an aside - why does a Dyson (and possibly other uprights) seem to leave
> the carpet looking better when pulled across.

The brush roller flings stuff towards the chute which is at the rear of the moulding, so cleaning is better when pulled. Also the carpet isn't then run over by the rear ball or wheels, so the pile is laid more evenly.

> And why are carper shampoo machines designed to be pulled when pushing may
> be more intuitive?

The main suck-up bit is at the front. It needs to be to get close to walls. So when putting down solution you push it forward to avoid the fresh laid solution being removed immediately, and when sucking the liquid out you pull so it scrubs before sucking.


NT

[NY]

<tabb...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:03b784d0-0472-49f3...@googlegroups.com...

With our barrow, over deep 1/2" gravel and over slightly bumpy grass,
pulling is definitely easier.

As for wheely bins, any attempt to push the bin over the gravel causes its
wheels to dig themselves deeper and deeper into the gravel. Likewise for the
lawnmower, which either needs to be pushed on its rear wheels, with the
front ones in the air, or else pulled.

The gravel is a confounded nuisance. It was already there when we bought the
house, put there by the previous owners. I've learned where the shallower
bits are, and that's where I try to take the mower when getting it from the
garage to the front grass verge.

[Andrew]

On 10/05/2020 07:34, Chris Hogg wrote:
> On Sat, 9 May 2020 21:45:24 +0100, Vir Campestris
> <vir.cam...@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>

> I wouldn't have thought it made much difference in that respect.
> Arguably, pulling the barrow allows you to pick a route more easily
> because you can see where you're going, rather than having the barrow
> in your sight-line.
>

Buy a quad bike and do it the fun way :-)

[GB]

Why don't you ask Dyson.

--

[Vir Campestris]

On 10/05/2020 07:34, Chris Hogg wrote:
> On Sat, 9 May 2020 21:45:24 +0100, Vir Campestris
> <vir.cam...@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>

> I wouldn't have thought it made much difference in that respect.
> Arguably, pulling the barrow allows you to pick a route more easily
> because you can see where you're going, rather than having the barrow
> in your sight-line.
>

Last time I was using a really heavy barrow on really rough ground it
was up a narrow path, and the ideal route was often only a few inches
wide. I needed to see exactly where the wheel was in relation to the
roots and stumps.

Andy