Wheelbarrows & Hand Trucks

Learn more about wheelbarrows & hand trucks

A wheelbarrow and a hand truck do different jobs. A wheelbarrow is built for loose, bulky loads like rubble, sand or soil, where you tip and reload often. A hand truck or sack truck is built for stacked, boxed or upright items that need to stay supported while you wheel them from A to B.

Get the pairing right and you reduce awkward lifting and make handling easier on site. With over 200 years serving the UK construction industry, Travis Perkins stocks a range for general site work, landscaping work and everyday manual handling, backed by trade expertise and advice from people who know what’s what.

Typical uses

• Moving rubble, sand, ballast, soil, compost and firewood around the site.

• Shifting bagged materials, tools and fittings between the vehicle, store area and workface.

• Transporting heavier or bulky items across driveways, yards, paths and uneven ground.

• Using a hand truck or sack barrow for stacked loads, crates and appliances where a wheelbarrow is less practical.

• Choosing a wheelbarrow for garden and landscaping tasks where balance and ground clearance matter.

How to choose the right wheelbarrow or hand truck

• Match the load to the tool.

• A heavy duty wheelbarrow suits dense or awkward materials.

• A hand truck suits tall, stacked items that need to stay supported while you move them.

• Pick one wheel or two. A one wheel wheelbarrow is usually easier to steer in tight spaces. A two wheel wheelbarrow can give you more stability when carrying heavier loads or working on firmer ground.

• Check tyre type and wheel setup. Pneumatic tyres can give a smoother ride over rough or uneven ground. Solid tyres reduce the risk of punctures and can suit sites where low maintenance matters more than extra cushioning.

• Review load rating, tray size, frame type and overall build so the kit suits the task without overloading it.

• Make sure it fits the route. Measure the spaces it needs to pass through, including door widths, step heights and turning space for hand trucks.

Before you order

• Check the load size and shape you're shifting so the tray or frame is the right fit.

• Think about the ground conditions on site, especially soft soil, paving slabs and uneven surfaces.

• Review the practical handling details you'll care about day to day, such as wheel type, stability and storage space.

• Use the product specifications to compare suitability, capacity and compatibility with your task before you buy.

• If you need help choosing, speak to your local branch team or create an account for trade prices and account management.

Explore our range of wheelbarrows & hand trucks

Compare wheelbarrows & hand trucks for general site use, landscaping work and everyday manual handling. Look through sack truck and sack barrow options for moving stacked or boxed items, and browse hand trucks and trolleys for more controlled load movement.

For trade use, review the wheelbarrow and hand truck choices to find the right fit. Each product detail carries the specifications that matter most, from load rating and wheel layout to frame type and overall suitability, so you can order the right kit first time and collect it from your local branch.