Ever since spotting Monty’s magnificent wheelbarrow, parked resplendant amidst the Longmeadow box hedges on GW, we’ve been gripped with envy. Large, green and muscular (the barrow, not Monty), it looked every inch the perfect allotment accessory – an essential mono-wheeled portage vessel for any self respecting gardening gentleman.
We’ve always borrowed* the rusty tin one from a neighbouring plot for our daily run to the allotment compost heap, but secretly longed to stride purposefully, magnificent green barrow in hand(s), maybe stopping occasionally to give a flower a pompous sniff, or to poke indignantly at a weedy leek.
So when Haemmerlin offered up one of their smart green barrows for us to test drive, Nick almost snapped his spade with excitement and immediately started plotting the best route through our allotment which would a) properly test out the barrows capabilities and b) show off to the maximum amount of people.
Haemmerlin are a French company with a prestigious heritage**, operating its UK business from the decidedly un-French location of Walsall, West Midlands. They have a fine selection of wheelbarrows in their portfolio… the one we got our grubby gloves on was the mid-range 110l ‘Pick-Up’ in eye-popping green.
We took it for a spin, and this is what we found…
Exterior
Made from high density Polypropylene, its body is sleek, strong and aerodynamic and bolted on to a one piece, rigid steel frame.
Interior
Has a litre scale on the interior of the tray should you wish to spoil your smart barrow by using it to mix concrete. It’s also equipped with tool grooves that are moulded into the tray lip for the safe transportation of bean canes, rakes, etc.
Ride and handling
The pneumatic tyre afforded a bouncy ride and the comfy, non-slip grips felt assured when carrying heavy loads. The handles are nice and long, so you don’t repeatedly kick the underside of the barrow when pushing.
Practicality
A capacious 110 litre tray that should handle most allotment chores. Big enough to carry an adult, as it happens.***
Performance
Nimble, despite its size. It negotiated the narrow tracks of the allotment, with only minimal damage to Nick’s blackcurrant bush. Ours developed a squeaky wheel after while, but nothing that a couple of squirts of WD40 couldn’t fix.
Verdict
An eye-catching way to transport manure, pomace and dead vegetables across a garden or allotment. Not cheap, but worth the splurge. Vive la France!
Model tested:
110L Polypropylene ‘Pick Up’ Green Wheelbarrow
Price: £68
http://www.haemmerlin.co.uk
* And when we say ‘borrow’, we mean ‘steal’. And when we say ‘day’ we mean ‘dead of night’.
** Established in 1867 by Charles Haemmerlin of Saverne, France. His son Georges commenced production of the first French metallic wheelbarrow in 1895.
*** We have plans afoot. Watch this space.
As mentioned above, this ‘barrow was sent to us for review
* And when we say ‘borrow’, we mean ‘steal’. And when we say ‘day’ we mean ‘dead of night’.
** Established 1867, Saverne, France by Charles Haemmerlin. His son Georges commenced production of the first French metallic wheelbarrow in 1895.
*** We have plans afoot. Watch this space.
