# Best Wheelbarrows for Concrete, Gravel and Mulch (2026) Seven wheelbarrows and carts ranked on published specs for moving concrete, gravel and mulch, with the loads per job worked out from the calculators. Buying guide page: (published 2026-10-06, updated 2026-10-06). This Markdown version has the picks, how they were ranked, their published specs and the figures behind them; product links and the full article are on the page. ## Key takeaways - For concrete and gravel, plan loads by weight: a wheelbarrow's tray holds more stone or concrete than most are built to carry. - A 6 cu ft tray of loose crushed stone weighs about 544–588 lb, and a 6 cu ft tray of concrete weighs at least 800 lb before the water. - With a 500 lb maximum load, that is about 5.1 cu ft of stone or the concrete from 6 bags of 80 lb mix per trip. - For mulch, plan loads by volume: a cubic yard is 27 cu ft, so it takes 4 loads in an 8 cu ft tub, 5 in a 6 cu ft tray and 9 in a 3 cu ft cart. - Steel trays and flat-free tires suit concrete and crushed stone; two wheels or a dump cart take the balancing out of heavy loads, and a big poly tub or cart saves trips with mulch. - Picks are ranked on the makers' published specs for this job, not on our own use of them. ## In this guide 1. [Quick picks](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/wheelbarrows-for-concrete-and-gravel/#quick-picks) 2. [How we chose](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/wheelbarrows-for-concrete-and-gravel/#methodology) 3. [The picks in detail](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/wheelbarrows-for-concrete-and-gravel/#picks) 4. [Spec comparison](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/wheelbarrows-for-concrete-and-gravel/#comparison) 5. [What to look for](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/wheelbarrows-for-concrete-and-gravel/#what-to-look-for) 6. [Stone and concrete: weight sets the loads](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/wheelbarrows-for-concrete-and-gravel/#how-many-loads) 7. [Mulch: the tray's volume sets the loads](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/wheelbarrows-for-concrete-and-gravel/#mulch-loads) 8. [Wheelbarrow or dump cart?](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/wheelbarrows-for-concrete-and-gravel/#wheelbarrow-or-dump-cart) 9. [Frequently asked questions](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/wheelbarrows-for-concrete-and-gravel/#faq) ## Quick picks **Quick picks, in rank order** | Rank | Pick | Best for | Capacity | Max load | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Marathon 70002 Ultimate Wheelbarrow | Best overall for concrete and gravel | 6 cu ft | 500 lb | | 2 | Gorilla Carts GS-6 6 cu ft Steel Wheelbarrow | Best steel tub for mixing concrete | 6 cu ft | Not published | | 3 | Gorilla Carts GPX-8D 8 cu ft Poly Dual-Wheel Wheelbarrow | Best two-wheel wheelbarrow for mulch and big loads | 8 cu ft | Not published | | 4 | Gorilla Carts 7GCG-NF 7 cu ft Poly Yard Dump Cart | Best dump cart for mulch and bulky loads | 7 cu ft | 1,200 lb | | 5 | Gorilla Carts GOR4PS 600 lb Poly Garden Dump Cart | Best small dump cart for garden beds | 4 cu ft | 600 lb | | 6 | Marathon Yard Rover Dual-Wheel Wheelbarrow | Best lightweight wheelbarrow for mulch | 5 cu ft | 300 lb | | 7 | WORX WG050 Aerocart 8-in-1 Wheelbarrow and Yard Cart | Best for small loads and other yard jobs | About 3 cu ft | 300 lb | ## How we chose Ranked on published manufacturer specs and features for moving concrete, crushed stone and mulch on a DIY project; not hands-on tested. Every spec is quoted from the maker's product page or manual and was checked on 2026-10-06. No prices or ratings are shown; the order is a judgment on these criteria: 1. **Published maximum load.** Stone and concrete are heavy enough that a tray filled to its rated volume can weigh more than the barrow is built to carry. A maker that publishes a maximum load lets you plan each trip by weight. 2. **Tray material.** We favor steel for concrete and crushed stone, which are heavy and abrasive; poly trays suit mulch and soil. 3. **Tire.** A flat-free tire cannot be punctured by sharp stone or debris on a job site; a pneumatic tire rides softer over rough ground but can go flat. 4. **One wheel or more.** One wheel turns and tips easily; two or more carry the weight, so you steer a heavy load instead of balancing it. 5. **Tray capacity.** With mulch the tray's volume sets the number of trips, so a bigger tray saves trips; with stone and concrete the weight limit usually comes first. 6. **Empty weight.** A lighter barrow or cart is easier to lift, push and hang up, which matters most with light, bulky loads such as mulch. ## The picks in detail ### 1. Best overall for concrete and gravel: Marathon 70002 **Marathon 70002 Ultimate Wheelbarrow.** The only single-wheel pick with a published maximum load, 500 lb, on a 6 cu ft steel tray with steel handles and a flat-free tire. That rating is what you plan trips around: a 6 cu ft tray of loose stone weighs 544–588 lb, so a 500 lb load is about 5.1 cu ft of stone, or the concrete from at most 6 bags of 80 lb mix. Ranked on: published maximum load, tray material, tire, tray capacity. - Capacity: 6 cu ft - Max load: 500 lb - Tray material: Steel - Tray size: 26 × 38 in - Handles: Steel - Wheels: One - Tires: Flat-free - Weight: 53 lb Specs from [Marathon Ultimate Wheelbarrow (70002) product page](https://www.marathonind.com/Ultimate-Contractor-Wheelbarrow-P174C18.aspx) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 2. Best steel tub for mixing concrete: Gorilla Carts GS-6 **Gorilla Carts GS-6 6 cu ft Steel Wheelbarrow.** A 6 cu ft steel tub with steel handles and a 16 in flat-free tire, and Gorilla lists concrete work among its uses. It ranks below the Marathon only because Gorilla publishes no maximum load, so you judge each load yourself. A 2-wheel conversion kit is sold separately. Ranked on: tray material, tire, tray capacity. - Capacity: 6 cu ft - Tray material: Steel - Tray size: 37.6 × 25.4 × 16 in - Handles: Steel - Wheels: 1 (2-wheel conversion kit sold separately) - Tires: 16 in flat-free - Weight: 47 lb Specs from [Gorilla 6 cu. ft. Heavy Duty Steel Tub Wheelbarrow (GS-6) product page](https://gorillamade.com/product/gs-6/) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 3. Best two-wheel wheelbarrow for mulch and big loads: Gorilla Carts GPX-8D **Gorilla Carts GPX-8D 8 cu ft Poly Dual-Wheel Wheelbarrow.** Two 16 in pneumatic wheels carry the load, so you steer it rather than balance it, and the 8 cu ft poly tub is the biggest tray here, so it takes the fewest loads of mulch: 4 per cubic yard. It converts to a single wheel. There is no published maximum load, and a full 8 cu ft tub of loose stone weighs 726–784 lb, so fill it partway with stone. Ranked on: one wheel or more, tray capacity, tire. - Capacity: 8 cu ft - Tray material: Poly - Tray size: 38.74 × 32 × 20 in - Handles: Steel - Wheels: 2 (converts to a single wheel) - Tires: 16 in pneumatic - Weight: 54.2 lb Specs from [Gorilla 8 cu. ft. Pro Grade Poly Dual Wheel Wheelbarrow (GPX-8D) product page](https://gorillamade.com/product/gpx-8d/) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 4. Best dump cart for mulch and bulky loads: Gorilla Carts 7GCG-NF **Gorilla Carts 7GCG-NF 7 cu ft Poly Yard Dump Cart.** A four-wheel dump cart with a 7 cu ft poly bed, a 1,200 lb max load and 13 in flat-free tires, pulled by hand or towed behind a lawn tractor, and its bed tips to unload. With mulch the bed sets the trips, 4 loads per cubic yard; with stone it fills before it reaches its max load, since 7 cu ft of loose stone weighs 635–686 lb. It ranks below the wheelbarrows because a cart can't tip forward into a form or go up a plank. Ranked on: published maximum load, tray capacity, one wheel or more, tire. - Capacity: 7 cu ft - Max load: 1,200 lb - Tray material: Poly dump bed - Tray size: 39.5 × 27 in - Frame: Powder-coated steel - Wheels: 4 - Tires: 13 in flat-free - Weight: 54.25 lb - Handle: 2-in-1: pull by hand or tow behind a lawn tractor or ATV Specs from [Gorilla 7 Cu. Ft. Heavy Duty Poly Yard Dump Cart (7GCG-NF) product page](https://gorillamade.com/product/7gcg-nf/) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 5. Best small dump cart for garden beds: Gorilla Carts GOR4PS **Gorilla Carts GOR4PS 600 lb Poly Garden Dump Cart.** A 4-wheel dump cart with a 600 lb max load: you pull it instead of lifting handles, then tip the 4 cu ft poly bed to unload. With stone its bed fills before it reaches that load, since 4 cu ft of loose stone weighs 363–392 lb; with mulch it takes 7 loads per cubic yard. Its 10 in pneumatic tires suit lawns and paths more than a rough job site. Ranked on: published maximum load, one wheel or more. - Capacity: 4 cu ft - Max load: 600 lb - Tray material: Poly dump bed - Tray size: 36 × 20 in - Frame: Powder-coated steel - Wheels: 4 - Tires: 10 in pneumatic - Weight: 31.5 lb Specs from [Gorilla 600 lb. Poly Garden Dump Cart (GOR4PS) product page](https://gorillamade.com/product/gor4ps-gor4ps-c/) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 6. Best lightweight wheelbarrow for mulch: Marathon Yard Rover **Marathon Yard Rover Dual-Wheel Wheelbarrow.** At 29 lb the lightest pick here: a 5 cu ft tray on two wheels with a published 300 lb max load. With mulch it takes 6 loads per cubic yard. With stone the max load comes first, since a 5 cu ft tray of loose stone weighs 454–490 lb. Marathon publishes no tray material for it, and its manual covers both an air-tire and a flat-free version, so check both on the listing. Ranked on: published maximum load, one wheel or more, tray capacity, empty weight. - Capacity: 5 cu ft - Max load: 300 lb - Tray size: 27.5 × 36 in - Wheels: 2 - Weight: 29 lb Specs from [Marathon Yard Rover product page](https://www.marathonind.com/Green-Wheelbarrow-P175C18.aspx), [Marathon Yard Rover Assembly Instructions (PDF)](https://www.marathonind.com/Assets/file/Web_YardRover_AssemblyInstructions.pdf) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 7. Best for small loads and other yard jobs: WORX WG050 **WORX WG050 Aerocart 8-in-1 Wheelbarrow and Yard Cart.** A 41 lb steel cart on two flat-free wheels with a published 300 lb max load, which also works as a yard cart and dolly. Its tray holds about 3 cu ft, and 3 cu ft of loose stone already weighs 272–294 lb, so it suits bags and small loads rather than a driveway's worth of gravel or a slab's concrete; with mulch it takes 9 loads per cubic yard. Ranked on: published maximum load, one wheel or more, tire, tray capacity, empty weight. - Capacity: About 3 cu ft - Max load: 300 lb - Tray material: Steel - Wheels: Two - Tires: Flat-free - Weight: 41 lb - Modes: 8-in-1: wheelbarrow, yard cart, dolly and more - Warranty: 3 years Specs from [WORX Aerocart 8-in-1 Yard Cart / Wheelbarrow / Dolly (WG050) product page](https://www.worx.com/en-us/worxus/aerocart-8-in-1-yard-cart-wheelbarrow-dolly-wg050) (checked 2026-10-06). ## Spec comparison **Published specs of each pick** | Pick | Capacity | Max load | Tray material | Wheels | Tires | Weight | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. Marathon 70002 | 6 cu ft | 500 lb | Steel | One | Flat-free | 53 lb | | 2. Gorilla Carts GS-6 | 6 cu ft | Not published | Steel | 1 (2-wheel conversion kit sold separately) | 16 in flat-free | 47 lb | | 3. Gorilla Carts GPX-8D | 8 cu ft | Not published | Poly | 2 (converts to a single wheel) | 16 in pneumatic | 54.2 lb | | 4. Gorilla Carts 7GCG-NF | 7 cu ft | 1,200 lb | Poly dump bed | 4 | 13 in flat-free | 54.25 lb | | 5. Gorilla Carts GOR4PS | 4 cu ft | 600 lb | Poly dump bed | 4 | 10 in pneumatic | 31.5 lb | | 6. Marathon Yard Rover | 5 cu ft | 300 lb | Not published | 2 | Not published | 29 lb | | 7. WORX WG050 | About 3 cu ft | 300 lb | Steel | Two | Flat-free | 41 lb | “Not published” means the maker's page or manual does not state it. ## Figures behind the picks Computed with this site's calculators; the page shows the working. - Loose ¾ in base stone, per cubic foot: 90.7–98.0 lb - An 8 cu ft tray of loose stone: 726–784 lb - A 7 cu ft bed of loose stone: 635–686 lb - A 6 cu ft tray of loose stone: 544–588 lb - A 5 cu ft tray of loose stone: 454–490 lb - A 4 cu ft bed of loose stone: 363–392 lb - A 3 cu ft tray of loose stone: 272–294 lb - A 6 cu ft tray of concrete, dry mix weight alone: at least 800 lb - Most loose stone in a 500 lb load: 5.1 cu ft - Most concrete in a 500 lb load, dry mix weight alone: 6 bags of 80 lb mix (3.6 cu ft) - Loads per compacted cubic yard of stone at 500 lb: 8 - Gravel pad 40 × 10 ft, 4 in deep, 10% allowance: 5.43 cu yd, about 9.78 tons (19,556 lb) - Loads to move that pad's stone: Marathon 70002: 40; Gorilla Carts GOR4PS: 54; WORX WG050: 72; Gorilla Carts 7GCG-NF: 31; Marathon Yard Rover: 66 - Concrete slab 10 × 10 ft, 4 in thick, 10% allowance: 62 bags of 80 lb mix; at least 11 loads of 500 lb - Loads per cubic yard of mulch, each a tray filled to its rated capacity: 8 cu ft: 4; 7 cu ft: 4; 6 cu ft: 5; 5 cu ft: 6; 4 cu ft: 7; about 3 cu ft: 9 - Mulch bed 20 × 10 ft, 3 in deep, 5% allowance: 1.94 cu yd needed; a 2 cu yd bulk order is 54 cu ft - Loads to move that bed's mulch: Marathon 70002: 9; Gorilla Carts GS-6: 9; Gorilla Carts GPX-8D: 7; Gorilla Carts 7GCG-NF: 8; Gorilla Carts GOR4PS: 14; Marathon Yard Rover: 11; WORX WG050: 18 ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does a wheelbarrow full of gravel weigh? A 6 cu ft tray of loose crushed stone weighs about 544–588 lb, using Wisconsin DOT's measured weight for ¾ in base stone (1.80 tons per compacted cubic yard, 36% to 47% bulkier when loose). Wet or denser stone weighs more, so check your supplier's figure. ### How many wheelbarrow loads are in a cubic yard of gravel or mulch? For crushed stone, about 8 loads of 500 lb for each compacted cubic yard, because that yard weighs about 3,600 lb. Mulch is counted by volume: a cubic yard is 27 cu ft, so it takes 4 loads in an 8 cu ft tub, 5 in a 6 cu ft tray and 6 in a 5 cu ft tray, each filled to its rated capacity. ### How much concrete can I mix or carry in a wheelbarrow? By weight, a 500 lb load holds the concrete from at most 6 bags of 80 lb mix (3.6 cu ft), counting the dry mix alone; the water adds more. A full 6 cu ft tray of concrete would weigh at least 800 lb. ### Is a steel or poly wheelbarrow better for concrete, gravel or mulch? Steel for concrete and crushed stone: both are heavy and abrasive, and wet concrete is shoveled and scraped out of the tray. For mulch, a big poly tub or dump cart fits better, because with mulch the tray's volume, not its strength, sets the number of trips; Gorilla's GPX-8D tub and 7GCG-NF cart are both poly. ### Are two-wheel wheelbarrows better for heavy loads? Two wheels carry the weight, so you steer the load instead of balancing it, which helps with stone. One wheel turns tighter and tips more easily to dump. The Gorilla GPX-8D converts between the two, a kit adds a second wheel to the GS-6, and Marathon's two-wheel Yard Rover weighs 29 lb for lighter loads such as mulch. ### Did you test these wheelbarrows? No. They are ranked on each manufacturer's published specs for moving concrete, crushed stone and mulch, and every spec on this page links to the maker's own page or manual. The load figures are computed with this site's gravel, concrete and mulch calculators. ## Related calculators and guides ### Calculators - [Gravel Calculator](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/gravel-calculator/) — Gravel, crushed rock, or landscape rock volume in cubic yards and meters, with an optional weight from your supplier's density. - [Concrete Calculator](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/concrete-calculator/) — Slab volume in cubic feet, cubic yards, and cubic meters, with ready-mix order size and bag counts for documented products. - [Mulch Calculator](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/mulch-calculator/) — Mulch volume in cubic yards for any bed, plus a whole-bag count for the bag size you are buying. ### Guides - [How Much Does a Cubic Yard of Gravel Weigh?](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-much-does-a-yard-of-gravel-weigh/) — Tons per cubic yard for crushed aggregate, loose versus compacted, and how to convert a volume into an order by weight. - [Concrete Bag Yields by Bag Size](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/concrete-bag-yields/) — Published cubic-foot yields for bagged concrete mixes, with bags per cubic foot, cubic yard, and cubic meter. - [How to Pour a Concrete Slab](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-to-pour-a-concrete-slab/) — Plan, form, mix, place, finish, joint, and cure a slab, following the manufacturer's published method. - [How to mulch garden beds: depth, timing, and types](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-to-mulch-garden-beds/) — Extension-backed mulch depths, timing, materials, and tree-ring technique, with a worked example for buying bags. - [What Is a Cubic Yard?](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/cubic-yards-explained/) — What a cubic yard is, how to convert area × depth into yards, and how much ground one yard covers. - [How to Plan a Bulk Material Delivery](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/planning-material-delivery/) — Rounding to supplier increments, questions to ask, and a checklist before bulk material arrives. ## Sources - [Weight-Volume Relationships and Conversion Factors for Soils and Aggregates of Wisconsin (WHRP G22-05 final report, December 2023)](https://wisconsindot.gov/documents2/research/0092-22-05-final-report.pdf) — Wisconsin Department of Transportation (Wisconsin Highway Research Program). Used for: Compacted 1.50–1.98 tons/yd³; compacted→loose expansion 27–60%. Table E2: Dense Graded Base ¾ in 1.80–1.86 (36–47%); 1¼ in 1.79–1.98 (34–52%); 3 in 1.78–1.87 (34–45%); Breaker Run 1.82–1.87 (27–30%); Select Crushed Material 1.77–1.81 (27–29%); Backfill Structure 1.50–1.72 (35–48%); Backfill Granular 1.62–1.66 (38–52%). Checked 2026-10-05. - [QUIKRETE Concrete Mix (No. 1101) product data sheet](https://www.quikrete.com/pdfs/data_sheet-concrete%20mix%201101.pdf) — QUIKRETE Companies. Used for: 40 lb = 0.30 ft³; 60 lb = 0.45 ft³; 80 lb = 0.60 ft³; 90 lb = 0.675 ft³ (regional). Checked 2026-10-03. **Estimate only.** Results are planning estimates computed from the numbers you enter. They are not engineering, structural, or code advice. Confirm quantities, product yields, and installation requirements with your supplier, the product label, and your local building authority before you order or build.