What village, let alone a dacha, can get by without a wheelbarrow? Whether it's hauling the harvest from the garden, feeding the cattle, or dragging waste to the compost bin... And especially when there's construction going on. You can't go anywhere without this helper. Your back will quickly start to hurt without it.
I've seen a lot of wheelbarrows in my memory. There were two-wheelers, one-wheelers, even a wooden trough on motorcycle wheels! In the villages, you see so many examples of the owners' imaginations that you could put them on display at an exhibition.
Of course, the look and design of a wheelbarrow should match its intended purpose. But most often, they are chosen based on price. Villagers can't afford a high-quality and convenient item. And then we have to patch it up, transform it, and fine-tune it.
We also have a regular three-wheeled wheelbarrow on our farm. We bought it about two years ago, but we used it mercilessly during the construction of our bathhouse. It quickly rusted from exposure to water and concrete. We replaced the wheel three times, and finally installed one with a rubber tube. This made the ride stiffer, but at least we don't have to worry about hitting a screw or grass stub again.
The main drawback of this type of equipment is the constant need to monitor it for tipping while working. But it's maneuverable. Basically, for lack of anything better, this seems like heaven.
Then we went to the scrap metal collection point, and my husband saw an axle and wheels from a Soviet car. His eyes lit up, his hands itched—he bought it for 250 rubles. He'll make his own car!
The work was in full swing for two days. The excitement was overwhelming. And now, after all this time, a beauty appeared before me! All that was left was to paint it.
Using scrap materials, my husband crafted a unit that's superior in quality and convenience to those sold on the market. The frame is made from elevator doors, making it strong and reliable. The bottom is made from sheet metal. And the handle is made from iron tubing.
This unit weighs more than the one we currently use. But the new one is much more convenient to use. It's stable and deep. So is it worth going to the store and paying thousands when you can save money and build it yourself?