Even though they are manufactured from strong and long-lasting materials, a wheelbarrow is not invincible.
They require proper care and storage for the best possible use.
Due to space constraints, you may ultimately be forced to store it outdoors.
By properly oiling your wheelbarrow, you have a perfect solution to make it last in the brutal winter and summer months.
This article will give you a full overview of maintenance of wheelbarrows.
Wheelbarrow Parts that Require Oiling
Wheel and Axle
It’s vital to lubricate the axle so that the wheelbarrow rolls smoothly.
It helps to decrease friction between the axle and wheel when it rotates.
In addition, you’ll use less energy to push your loads around the garden.
If the wheel has bearings, you should also check them and lubricate them when needed.
Handle
Over time, wheelbarrow handles can chip and have rough edges from normal use.
A simple application of lubricants like linseed oil will protect it from chipping and rust.
This will keep the handle looking good longer, and spare your hands from potential injury from splinters or rusted-out pokers.
Why Do You Need To Oil Your Wheelbarrow
Reduce Friction
Greasing your wheelbarrow cuts down the friction on the wheels and axle.
The grease acts to assist the wheelbarrow by not allowing it to work as hard to push it.
Prevent Corrosion
Over a period of time, substances, such as water or salts, erode the different parts of the wheelbarrow.
A lubricant will stop corrosion by creating a barrier between the contaminants and those components, and also slow down the wear and tear of components.
Essential Properties of A Lubricant for Wheelbarrows
Viscosity
Viscosity describes a lubricant’s resistance to flow due to its molecular structure.
When a lubricant has a weak molecular structure (e.g., London Dispersion forces) it has a low viscosity and low resistance to flow.
This would be the ideal oil for a wheelbarrow that is stored outside, since the easy dispersion and reduction of friction, allows the wheelbarrow to roll readily.
When the summer months are approaching, look for products that utilize viscosity index improvers. When temperatures increase, most non-synthetic mineral lubricants will thin out.
Viscosity index improvers expand with the increasing temperature to lessen the oil’s thinning effect.
Examples include:
- methacrylate polymers
- alkylated styrene
Pour Point
The pour point is defined as the lowest temperature that the lubricant will remain fluid.
Low pour point oils or pour point depressants will work best, particularly in the winter months.
In conditions under freezing, the high pour point will have the oil crystallizing/solidifying in the wheel system.
The wheel will not be able to rotate, as opposed to the oil facilitating smooth movement of your wheelbarrow.
Demulsibility
The ability of a lubricant to separate from water easily is known as the demulsification.
Water is a lubricant’s main contaminant and can compromise its performance. The only way to eliminate this contaminant occurs when you leave your wheelbarrow outside.
Because water is denser than oil, it will prevent the lubricant from forming a protective film between the rotating parts.
As a Result – The friction in the wheel and axle will increase and will cause these parts to wear faster.
The Measurements of the degree of demulsification are based on its solubility properties.
The best-case scenario for proper performance, the optimum relative solubility number (RSN) should be between 8 – 15.
Products with a RSN over 17 will typically be soluble in water and should not be used in wheelbarrows that are stored outside.
Oxidation Resistance
A lubricant’s base oil oxidation leads to acidification.
When this occurs, it will be absorbed into the metal components of the wheelbarrow. In addition, it causes surface deposits, which will contaminate the oil.
Oxidation happens slowly in the winter but speeds up in the summer, since the rate of oxidation increases with the temperature.
If you have high oxidation resistance, it reduces the need for lubrication.
The oil will look like new, and you can maintain your wheelbarrow quarterly with no damage to the parts.
Non-Corrosive
Corrosion reduces the practical width of your wheel barrow.
The acidic properties in oil can be damaging, especially to the wheel barrow’s metal surfaces.
There should be no water content of any sort in the oil. Water promotes corrosion.
Most new lubrication oils are weak alkalines, or neutral ph. Newer oils will protect against corrosion, neutralizing any acids, repelling off any contamination.
Adhesiveness
This pertains to the extent to which a lubricant can bond to a surface when used.
A competent lubricant should provide infiltration and stickiness to the moving parts. The oil film should not drip off the surface during operation or storage.
Additionally, the oil should not stain the surface once dry.
If you introduce an adhesive additive to the lubricant, it should not interfere with the viscosity and density of the lubricant.
Additives often thicken the lubricant when applied, increasing the viscosity. When refering to density, increases in density raises the friction which will slow the wheelie bin, and reduces efficiency.
Temperature Range
A lubricant should have a high boiling point and a low freezing point.
This wide temperature range allows the oil to stay in a liquid state to fully lubricate the parts and keep friction as low as possible.
A high boiling point means that the lubricating oil will not boil and evaporate while the two parts become dry and start grinding against one another.
On the other hand, a low freezing point keeps the lubricant from thickening, which could potentially create additional friction between the wheel and axle.
Types of Lubricants
Oil
Oil is the most popular lubricant.
It is relatively a thin liquid and may contain some additives.
The additives are synthetic polymers that are added to base oil to improve effectiveness.
Common wheelbarrow oil additives include:
- Antifreeze Agents: Antifreeze agents ensure lubricating oils can withstand very low temperatures , of -45 oC and below. Maleate- styrene co-polymers and naphthalene waxes are examples of antifreeze agents.
- Antioxidants: Antioxidants slow down the Oxidation of the lube oil during high temperature coiling and extend intervals between oil changes. Aromatic amines and zinc dithiophosphates are examples of antioxidants.
- Corrosion Inhibitors: Corrosion inhibitors are aimed toward reducing or eliminating corroding surfaces from exposure to a corrosive like water. Fatty acids and alkaline- earth sulfonates/salts are examples of anti-corrosives.
- Detergent additives: Detergents eliminate the formation of deposits on solid surfaces. Detergents also neutralize acid concentrates in the oil that make the oil less effective. Examples being alkaline phosphonates and sulphonates.
Lubrication oils vary in viscosity based on the amount and type of additives they contain.
People often ask me if you’re gonna use oils or greases for lubrication of wheeled handling equipment — It really depends on the situation.
The more liquid your oil is (low viscosity), the less fluid friction you will have.
This means – Little to no heat is created from the moving parts and any heat that may develop is dissipated away.
Oil has a high boiling point and a low freezing point!
So, it can be an excellent barrier to wheelbarrows that are left outdoor in extreme summer or winter temperatures.
The downside to oil is that it will require frequent lubrication, since it doesn’t adhere like grease will.
Grease
Grease is created by adding thickeners to mineral oil.
Lithium-based soaps are the thickeners most commonly used.
Lubricants such as PTFE, graphite, and molybdenum are often added to the mix to increase viscosity.
Grease is thicker than lube oil because of its consistency and tackiness.
These qualities allow it to adhere to surfaces better and for longer, which can help protect your surfaces from water and corrosion from rust.
If you use your wheelbarrow infrequently, then grease is a better option for you.
However, use a lubricant that is low viscosity on the axles. Thick grease might create resistance to movement as the wheel turns.
How To Test The Quality of Lubricants for Wheelbarrows
Manufacturers must conduct rigorous quality tests during the production of lubricants.
The base oils, additives, and the final product are tested, along with documented data for future reference
Normally these company tests follow the ASTM International standards as they provide globally accepted guidelines for testing suitability and quality for new lubrication products.
They can also be used to assess performance for approved lubricants.
Some standard quality tests include:
- ASTM D1401 – Measure the oxidation stability of a lubricant
- ASTM D2896 – Identify and evaluate the base number of additives
- ASTM D665 – Determine the corrosion resistance of a lubricant
While most registered businesses comply with testing standards, under-reporting and misrepresentation are not uncommon.
As a result of this realization, private oil analysis laboratories began to develop.
Those laboratories carry out independent testing to validate product representation and performance testing.
How To Oil A Wheelbarrow
Always check to see if any part of the wheelbarrow is wet before applying lubrication of any kind.
The oil sits on top of the water; therefore, using lube oil on a wet surface makes it less “sticky” (adhesive) and makes the oil easier to wash away.
In addition to being dry, the surface should also be clear of solid particles like dirt or mulch. Oiling a dirty surface increases friction instead of reducing it.
The oil usually binds all of the solid particles together and creates a sludgy muck that greatly reduces the oil’s ability to lubricate.
Apply the lubricant directly on the contact surfaces with a grease gun or power from the vessel.
Air or dry for a few minutes until the oil dries up and fumes dissipate before storing away.
What Is The Best Oil For Wheelbarrows?
The winter and summer lubricants must have compatibility with most of the above-mentioned properties.
Any easement, whatever factors are involved, the best oil for a wheelbarrow is one that reduces friction and allows the wheelbarrow to function as designed.
These are the primary considerations for when it is time to purchase oil for your wheelbarrow.
Any of the other considerations – the cost, what brand, and where you buy – are only determined by your own preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should You Lubricate The Wheel Axle?
This is dependent on how often you utilize the wheelbarrow and subsequently how long you store it.
Let us say for this example that you utilize the wheelbarrow quite a bit and apply the oil once or twice a month, especially if it begins to squeak; or
If you use your wheelbarrow sporadically, and/or store it for many months at a time: after every 2 months. I recommend this treatment to keep contaminants and corrosion at bay.
Can You Use Recycled Motor Oil to Lubricate The Wheelbarrow?
Used oil generally has impurities like water, grit, and forms of acid.
Most of these impurities are benign but acid is something that causes corrosion.
Acid attacks the metal surfaces and ball bearings in the wheels to speed up the wearing process.
There is nothing wrong with using recycled oil.
It is less expensive and it will get the job done, but it is not as effective or as robust as a new oil.
How Safe Are After-market Oil Additives?
There are many supplemental lubricant additives on the market that are perfectly fine to use, but identifying them amongst hundreds of products can be difficult.
Identifying compatibility and useful action takes time and money.
If you truly want to avoid needing to supplemental additives, we suggest you purchase high-quality broad-spectrum lubes.
The premium product will contain all the required additives for effective use and storage in both summer and winter conditions.
Additionally, you will be better off purchasing one quality product versus purchasing a subpar lube that will require supplements.
Does Lubricating Oil Freeze?
Typically, oil does not freeze since it is a non-polar substance.
This means that neither its molecules nor the molecules of the oil exhibit any positive or negative charge.
Moreover, in the hydrocarbon structures the size of the molecules varies from the smallest to the largest which adds to the difficulty in forming the structure.
Once the oil does get cold, it takes time to exit the container or allow the axle to release and turn freely.
Final Words
Though oiling makes your wheelbarrow better than none at all, your wheelbarrow is best kept in a shed or the garage.
Keep it in a cool dry environment where it will be protected from the weather elements that can corrode it.
When the wheelbarrow is exposed to poor weather elements, you will be making repairs a lot more often, spending more on maintenance, and significantly shortening its useful life.
If there is ever a need to keep your wheelbarrow outside, position it in the upright position with the bucket tipped below it.
This orientation will prevent dust, debris, and precipitation from getting trapped on the inside of the bucket. In turn, this will greatly minimize rusting and corrosion.