Big Wheeled Yard Cart Reconstructed

[leehljp]

I have an old yard cart that I bought for my mom in the mid '90s at the fist HF in Memphis (I think). Over the years the plywood rotted out, the frame moved was around behind the storage building and a few of the parts got lost.

Here is my re-make of the cart. For the wood, I got a sheet of 3/8" plywood (good grade) and cut to size to fit in the galvanized frame. I put a good coat of Boiled Linseed Oil on both sides and edges. For the wheels, I am just tired of having to get new tires every 3 years or so (rotting) and airing it up twice a year, SO, I bought a couple of those solid tires and put them on the wheels and painted the half rusted, half chrome wheels. I also added an unnecessary grease fitting to both wheels. The bearings do not fit tight on the axle so the grease can come out easily enough but at least there is some great going into the uncovered wheel bearings on the inside.

ON the back gate, I could not find ANY of the galvanized edging. I bought a corner angle (used in room edging) and made a "break/brake" device to make the angle become a channel for the rear gate. It worked great.

The Cart has a bunch of left over "stuff" in it! Picts of the cart before and after below:

[dbhost]

Nice save! Weren't the frames on those hunter green orginally?

[leehljp]

Mine were gray. The handle is the original color. I painted the stand and support pipes ,except for the handle, a similar color to the handle.

[LCHIEN]

1. I still have my dads wheelbarrow from the early 50s. Been outsidoutside for the last 30 years, still going strong

[leehljp]

I think this type was built the way it is to primarily haul limbs, stick and leaves. Most older ones had the handle down low and when lifted to waist high, the nose was down- about 30 degrees. Sticks, small limbs and leaves would stay in. The problem I have found with it is - if one tried to carry a few bags or boxes, and a few of them stacked, it would fall over because of the angle. I contemplated raising the handle or adding a second handle waist high. However, due to the levelness because of the stand, the stand would need re-designing to fold up IF one wanted to use it to be basically LEVEL while moving it. If I needed to haul a few gallons (8 or 10) of water in plastic bottles, or some tall upright plants, they would fall over in the current configuration while hauling due to the angle. I might another higher handle so that it stays closer to level in the future, but I'm working on an idea for a folding but simple and durable stand so that the current stand can be eliminated.

[dbhost]

I am not sure why but every time I look at that thing my brain veers off into wondering how much you would have to do to make a usable rickshaw for the grandkids from that...

[leehljp]

There is 10 year between my oldest and youngest daughters. Both have 4 sons and 1 daughters in their family. And my youngest started her family 3 years after the oldest finished hers. With that in mind - here is what my youngest says: "Mom, Dad, you did so much more playing with April's kids than you did mine." We replied: "We were 10 years younger too!" SO, Yes it was used for a rickshaw in the late 1990s through about 2004 or 5. After that it began to rot out.

[dbhost]

I can see that. I bet the kids loved it. and yes, 10 years makes a lot of difference.

[Bellalewis]

I also have some pine boards. Can you share the drawings of this cart with me? I would also like to make one like yours for picking vegetables

[leehljp]

I also have some pine boards. Can you share the drawings of this cart with me? I would also like to make one like yours for picking vegetables

Mine was a kit that I bought. However, I did find a link to a similar one that can be built from plans:
https://www.familyhandyman.com/proje...u8sEYng7Ug7jfe

Pintrest has a link to different kinds and shapes here: https://www.pinterest.com/lesbouton/wheeled-cart/