Click the above image to see Springbarrow in action
More Links
Springbarrow Story
FAQs
Springbarrow® is the World's one and only lightweight, heavy duty, self-propelled wheelbarrow. Springbarrow® uses no motors, or engines, and requires no fuel, charging or maintenance.
Our unique patented "spring drive mechanism" can virtually double your pushing power over short distances, and it's always ready when you need it. Just wind it quickly with the foot crank, and away you go. You won't believe how hard this machine can pull! And when you don't need it, you won't even know it's there. Your Springbarrow® also works just like any other standard, heavy duty wheelbarrow.
Springbarrow® is made to the highest quality standards, right here in the USA, using top quality wheelbarrows from a trusted American made source. You cannot find a better wheelbarrow in the world. These wheelbarrows come to Albany, Oregon where we turn them into Springbarrows®, using American manufactured parts, and American ingenuity and know how, creating American jobs!
Sure a Springbarrow® is more expensive than your typical foreign built wheelbarrow, but you will see and feel the quality. And this is no disposable wheelbarrow. We back it with parts replacement, and a one year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. We have Springbarrows® that have been in use for over 5 continuous years of testing, without failures of any kind, so we can make that pledge.
So stop pushing that old wheelbarrow, and get the machine that will do most of the work for you. It's not a wheelbarrow, it's a Springbarrow®
“The Springbarrow® Story.”
Like most new inventions, Springbarrow® began with an “ a ha!” moment.
Nick C. Benton, MD, a surgeon and sometimes do-it-yourselfer, with a finicky low back, was again struggling to move a wheelbarrow load, up a particularly challenging, but unavoidable slope in his yard. He needed some help to get it done. At that moment it dawned on him that perhaps a “spring mechanism,” could be fashioned in a manner which could be wound-up, in advance of the slope, that would provide some extra pulling power. It seemed simple enough.
Dr. Benton wrote that thought down later in the day, and tucked it away. For over five years, he would think about the concept, especially as he continued to struggle with that same slope in his yard. Finally, he enlisted the engineering expertise of Michael L. Gray, who built a working prototype using a child’s bicycle as a platform. This allowed for gearing options for testing the pulling power, and the feasibility of attaching it to a wheeled device, where extra pulling power, for a limited distance, could offer superior benefit.
Their combined efforts ultimately led to the creation of the Springbarrow®, as well as other applications of the technology currently under development. It also led to two US patents, #6,820,880 and #7,234,710.
Finally, after years of testing under real life conditions around the house and farm, and on the construction site, the Springbarrow® is available for purchase, by the public, starting in January 2010.
FAQ’s - back to top
Can I have one Shipped to my home?
Yes, Shipping costs will vary according to location and will be determined at the time the order is placed.
Will they be widely available?
Supply will be limited in the beginning. At start-up, all Springbarrows® will be essentially hand made in Albany, Oregon. Production is very limited, and we must be careful to safeguard “quality.” As sales increase, we will expand production, to meet demand as best we can, without compromising quality. We do not anticipate high volume production from outside of the US.
Can I get a Springbarrow® from anywhere else?
Absolutely not! We are the only legal source in the United States, for the Springbarrow®. Anything else, is not a Springbarrow®, and would violate US Patent, and Trademark laws.
Does it weigh a lot more?
The spring drive mechanism adds approximately 15 extra pounds to the weight of the wheelbarrow alone. Since the extra weight is low under the tub, and close to the wheel, it adds virtually nothing to the weight that the user would feel as they lift at the handles. The added benefits of the spring drive mechanism overwhelmingly make up for the minor additional weight.
Can I over-wind the spring and break it?
Any tool can be broken of course. The spring can be over-wound and broken purposely, but this would not be easily done. In testing, springs that were purposely over-wound did not break, but they were deformed, and this will result in a shorter lifespan, but it will continue to function in an essentially normal manner. The spring will not deform if used to recommended standards. Spring deformity will void the warranty on the spring mechanism, but in such a situation, a new spring cartridge can be easily installed, and it’s as good as new.
Is the spring mechanism dangerous?
Not if used as recommended. Although very powerful, the spring is contained in the tubular driveshaft, and it winds and unwinds only 4 full rotations. Compared to any motorized device, or even a bicycle, the Springbarrow® is very safe.
How far will it pull each time it is wound?
The spring drive mechanism is geared to pull approximately 30 feet, with each full winding, which is recommended at 12 compressions, and takes less than 15 seconds. Our extensive research has determined that the vast majority of common wheelbarrow uses are adequately assisted with this gearing strategy.
Do you have to be very strong to wind it?
Winding the spring requires average strength for a man or woman. A small child could not wind it effectively. Generally speaking, a normal functioning right leg/hip are required. Winding with the left leg is possible, but more difficult as the crank is only on the right side of the Springbarrow® as viewed by the user from behind.
Is the foot crank the only way to wind it?
No. The spring can also be rewound by backing-up. This is perfect for moving a load of materials up your steep driveway from where it was dumped in the street. On your way back to the pile, just turn around at the top of the driveway and back down to the pile, set the brake, refill the Springbarrow®, release the brake, and it’s back up the driveway you go. It is conceivable that you could reuse the same spring energy all day long, but you can rewind anytime you need more help. Note the Springbarrow® should not be wound by backing more than approximately 30 feet, to prevent over-winding.
Will I be able to move a heavier load?
Springbarrow® will help you move a load past obstacles that would otherwise force you take a much
smaller load. It does not give you more lifting strength. However ,even if you move loads within your strength ability, over a smooth, unobstructed, level surface, you will still see a significant advantage as it gets your load moving immediately, without all of the straining of the initial push. Gaining inertia with a wheelbarrow load, is the greatest challenge, and that also is when spills and injuries are most likely to occur. Users are always encouraged to know their strength limits, and load accordingly.
Does the Springbarrow® have a brake?
Yes, Springbarrow® does have a simple lockable brake that is very helpful in many different situations. It is a safety feature, and also allows you to store spring energy when there is no load in the tub. Many of our Springbarrow® test users have commented on the utility of the brake. Although there are other wheelbarrows with brakes of various kinds, none of them is a Springbarrow®, and therefore, none of them will actually do anything to help you move your load. Beware of imitators!