DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  
  DUS  158 
Second  Edition  
2017-May-dd 
 
 
 Reference number  
DUS 158: 2017  
© UNBS 2017   
  
Wheelbarrows — Specifications  
 DUS 158: 2017  
ii © UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct applicatio n 
© UNBS 2017   
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without prior written 
permission from UNB S. 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to  
The Executive Director  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards  
P.O. Box 6329  
Kampala  
Uganda  
Tel: +256 41 4 333 2 50/1/2/3  
Fax: +256 41 4 286 123  
E-mail: info@unbs.go.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  DUS 158:2017  
© UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
4 Wheelbarrow types  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  2 
5 Materials  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  2 
5.1 Steel sheets  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  2 
5.2 Steel tubes  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  2 
5.3 Steel bars and rods  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............................  2 
5.4 Bolts and nuts  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  2 
5.5 Axles  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  2 
6 Design  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  2 
6.1 Dimensional parameters  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  2 
6.2 Pans  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  3 
6.2.1  Manufacturing requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  3 
6.2.2  Capacity  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  4 
6.2.3  Steel thickness  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 4 
6.2.4  Attachment details  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  4 
6.3 Frames  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  4 
6.3.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  4 
6.3.2  Reinforcement and bracing of the frame  ................................ ................................ ............................  4 
6.3.3  Handles  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  5 
6.4 Wheels, tyres and axle s ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  5 
6.4.1  Disc wheels and tyres  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  5 
6.4.2  Steel wheels  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  6 
7 Welding  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  6 
8 Finish  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  6 
9 Marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......Error! Bookmark not defined.  
10 Performan ce ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  6 
11 Inspection and methods of test  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  7 
11.1  Inspection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
11.2  Capacity test  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  7 
11.3  Determination of lifting force  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
11.4  Durability test (not applicable to wheelbarrows fitted with steel whe els) ................................ ....... 7 
11.4.1  Test rig  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  7 
11.4.2  Test load  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  8 
11.4.3  Test procedur e ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 8 
Annex  A (normative)  Notes to purchasers  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 10 
Annex  B (informative)  Quality verification of wheelbarrows  ................................ ................................ ...... 11 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  12 
 DUS 158: 2017  
iv © UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Trade , Industry and 
Cooperatives established under Cap 327 , of the Law s of Uganda , as amended .  UNBS is mandated to co -
ordinate the elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the N ational Enquiry Point on TBT  Agreement  of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and c onsists of key stakeholders 
including government, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interested parties.  
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council.  
The committee responsible for this document is Technical Committee UNBS/TC 4, [Mechanical Enginee ring 
and Metallurgy] . 
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (US 158:2000), which has been tec hnically revised .  
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  DUS 158: 2017  
 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  1 
 Wheelbarrows — Specifications  
1 Scope   
The draft Uganda standard specifies the requirements for five types of wheelbarrow s of single wheel make 
suitable for domestic, industrial, agricultur al and building -site conditions . 
2 Normative references   
The following referenced documents referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content 
constitutes requirements  of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated 
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
ISO 898-1, Mechanical properties of fasteners made of carbon steel and alloy steel — Part 1: Bolts, screws 
and studs with specified property classes — Coarse thread and fine pitch thread  
3 Terms and definitions   
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.  
3.1  
acceptable  
meets stakeholder expectat ions that are capable of being shown as reasonable or merited . 
3.2  
Frame  
chassis that supports the pan and wheel  
3.3  
Pan 
part of the wheelbarrow that forms the receptacle  
3.4  
Wheel  
circular component that is intended to rotate on an axle bearing  
3.5  
Wheelbarrow  
small hand -propelled vehicle, with one wheel, designed to be pushed and guided by a single person using two 
handles at the rear . 
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:  
— ISO Online br owsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp  DUS 158: 2017  
2 © UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  
 4 Wheelbarrow types  
4.1 Wheelbarrows shall be of one of the following ty pes, as required (see Annex A):  
a) type 1 domestic (light duty);  
b) type 2 industrial/agricultural;  
c) type 3 industrial/agricultural - high bulk carrying capacity (large);  
d) type 4 industrial/agricultural - high bulk carrying capacity ( extra -large ); or  
e) type 5 industrial/civil (suitable for concrete pouring).  
4.2 Wheelbarrows for use in mines, in foundries or in similar situations should be of  types 2 to 5, as 
required (see Annex A).  
5 Materials  
5.1 Steel sheets  
Steel sheets used in the manufacture of wheelbarrows shall be of a low carbon content and shall be suitable 
for drawing or deep drawing, as applicable. The sheets shall be free from cra cks, laminations and surface 
blemishes.  
5.2 Steel tubes  
Steel tubes used in the manufacture of wheelbarrow frames shall comply with the requirements for, grade 
275, of FDUS 1673 . If the tubes are supplied in the annealed condition to facilitate cold bendi ng, the minimum 
tensile strength and minimum yield stress specified in FDUS 1673  shall not apply.  
5.3 Steel bars and rods  
Bars and rods used in the manufacture of wheelbarrows shall be of mild steel  
5.4 Bolts and nuts  
Bolts and nuts used for pan attachme nt shall be of diameter at least 8 mm, shall have mushroom heads with 
square shanks and shall be fitted with the relevant hexagon or square nuts. Other bolts and nuts shall comply 
with the requirements of ISO 898 -1  
5.5 Axles  
Axles shall be manufactured f rom cold -rolled steel.  
6 Design  
6.1 Dimensional parameters  
The dimensions of assembled wheelbarrows shall comply with the requirements given in Table 1.  DUS 158: 2017  
© UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  3 
  
Table 1-Dime nsions of an assembled wheelbarrow in mm  
Type  of 
wheel 
barrow  Width of 
pan 
max. Height of the 
pan lip  
max. Distance  
between  
ends  of 
handles  Height  of 
ends  of 
handles  Distance 
from  wheel  
center  to pan 
Max. Distance 
from  wheel  
center  to 
ends  of 
handles  
min min max min max 
1 760 550 480 560 550 700 225 1 220 
2 760 710 480 560 430 560 265 1 220 
3 800 710 480 560 430 560 265 1 220 
4 1 000 710 480 560 430 560 265 1 220 
5 760 710 480 560 430 560 265 1 200  
 
6.2 Pans  
6.2.1  Manufacturing requirements  
The pan shall be formed either by a solid drawn pressing, or by cut ting and folding, with the joints being seam 
welded. The inside of the pan shall be free from projections and all weld spatter shall have been removed. 
The rim of the pan shall be flat, smooth and free from sharp edges and sharp corners. Except in the foll owing 
cases, the rim shall be rolled over a wire of diameter at least 5.5 mm, to form a bead as shown in Figure 1 (a):  
a) in the case of a pan for a type 1 wheelbarrow, the rim may be curled downwards or folded under as 
shown in Figure 1 (b); and  
b) when a pan o f thickness 3 .0 mm is required (see 5.2.3), the rim shall be formed as shown in Figure 1 
(c). 
 
Figure 1 — Pan rim detail  DUS 158: 2017  
4 © UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  
 6.2.2  Capacity  
When determined in accordance with 1 1.2, the capacity of the pan shall be within the limits g iven in Table 2 
for the relevant type of wheelbarrow.  
Table 2 — Pan capacity and steel thickness  
Type  of 
wheelbarrow  Pan capacity  
L Minimum  steel  
thickness  
mm min max 
1 40 60 1.0 
2 40 60 1.2 
3 90 110 1.6 
4 150 170 1.6 
5 60 70 1.2 
6.2.3  Steel thickness  
The steel thickness of the pan shall comply with the relevant requirement given in Table 2. When so required 
(see Annex A), the steel thickness of pans of wheelbarrows of type 2, type 4 and type 5 shall be 3.0 mm.  
6.2.4  Attach ment details  
6.2.4.1  Pans    
The pan of wheelbarrows of all types shall be firmly attached to the frame by means of bolts and nuts (see 
4.4) that have acceptable locking devices.  
The pan of a type 5 wheelbarrow shall be so pos itioned on the frame that, when determined in accordance 
with 1 0.3, the total lifting force (when equally applied between the handles) does not exceed 400 N.  
6.3 Frames  
6.3.1  General  
6.3.1.1  The frame shall be constructed from round tubing of nominal d iameter of at least  
a) 25 mm and of wall thickness at least 2.5 mm for type 1 wheelbarrows, and  
b) 34 mm and of wall thickness at least 2.0 mm for wheelbarrows of types 2 to 5  
6.3.1.2  The frame, including the handles, shall be formed from a single length of tub ing to provide a 
suitable support for the wheel and the pan. The frame shall have a bow of acceptable size and shape to 
protect the wheel and to act as a pivot when the wheelbarrow is tipped.  
6.3.1.3  The legs may be formed as part of the frame or may consi st of separate lengths of tubing (see 
5.3.1.1) formed into a suitable shape and welded or bolted to the frame.  
6.3.2  Reinforcement and bracing of the frame  
The frame of a type 1 wheelbarrow shall be braced by means of two steel bars of section 30 mm x 6 m m. The 
bracing can be used for the pan attachment (see 5.2.4. ]. For wheelbarrows of types 2 to 5, the reinforcing and 
bracing shall comprise the following:  DUS 158: 2017  
© UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  5 
 a) at least two reinforcing bars or tubes that span the tubes of the frame, to form supports for the  pan. 
Flat bars shall be of width at least 30 mm and of thickness at least 6 mm; tubes shall be of strength at 
least equivalent to that of the flat bars. The reinforcing bars or tubes shall be so welded to the frame 
that the bolt holes for securing the pan  to the frame can be located in them (see Fi gure 2);  
b) two front braces of flat bar of width at least 25 mm and of thickness at least 6 mm (or other section of 
equivalent strength) fitted between the front face of the pan and the bow end of the frame. The br aces 
shall be secured to the frame by the axle -mounting bolts and shall be bolted to the pan. A reinforcing 
bar of similar section to that of the braces shall span the bolt holes on the front face of the pan; and  
c) wearing strips of length approximately 100  mm, formed from flat bar of width at least 25 mm and of 
thickness at least 6 mm, welded to the underside of each leg and also, in the case of a type 5 
wheelbarrow, to the front of the bow end of the frame. Such wearing strips shall be formed to suit the 
contour of the relevant part.  
6.3.3 Handles  
The handles of wheelbarrows shall be closed by means of plastics end -caps.  
6.4 Wheels, tyres and axles  
6.4.1  Disc wheels and tyres  
5.4.1.1  Discs used for disc wheels shall be manufactured from steel of thickness  at least 1.8 mm and 
shall be profiled to match the type of tyre required (see 5.4.1.2). The dimensions of a disc wheel shall be as 
given in Table 3. The wheel shall be fitted with the specified tyre, using bolts and nuts of nominal diameter 8 
mm and that comply with the requirements of ISO 898 -1 (see 5.4.1.1).  
Table 3 — Disc wheel dimensions  
Type  of wheelbarrow  Minimum  
outside  
diameter  Minimum  rim width  at 
periphery  
1 250 45 
2 325 70 
3 325 70 
4 325 70 
5 325 70 
NOTE  These dimen sions are not applicable to wheelbarrows fitted with steel wheels (see 5.4.2)  
6.4.1.2  Disc wheels shall be fitted with tyres of one of the following types, as required (see Annex A):  
a) solid rubber tyre (wheelbarrows of types 1 to 5); or  
b) pneumatic tyre of 2-ply construction (wheelbarrows of types 2 to 5); or  
c) pneumatic tyre of 4 -ply construction (wheelbarrows of types 2 to 5).  
6.4.1.3  If a pneumatic tyre is required, one of the discs shall have a hole of adequate size and with 
rounded edges to accept the in ner-tube valve  stem.  
6.4.1.4  Disc wheels shall be fitted with one of the following types of wheel bearings, as required (see 
Annex A).  
a) self-lubricated sintered metal bearing; or  DUS 158: 2017  
6 © UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  
 b) bearing that has a sealed ball race.  
6.4.1.5  The diameter of the axle shall be as recommended by the manufacturer of the wheel bearing, and 
shall be of sufficient length to ensure its positive clamping to the frame.  
6.4.1.6  Axles shall be so secured to the frame by means of clamps or brackets t hat any axial movement 
is prevented.  
6.4.2  Steel wheels  
6.4.2.1  If so required (see Annex A), wheelbarrows of types 2 to 5 (for use in mines, in foundries and in 
similar situations), shall be fitted with steel wheels.  
6.4.2.2  Steel wheels shall be of wel ded construction throughout.  
6.4.2.3  The rim of a steel wheel shall be of width at least 38 mm, of thickness at least 6 mm and formed 
to a diameter of at least 350 mm.  
6.4.2.4  The hub shall be of length at least 150 mm and shall have a wall thickness of at least 3.0 mm. 
The bore of the hub shall not exceed the diameter  of the axle by more than 0.8 mm.  
6.4.2.5  The axle shall be of diameter 16.0 mm ± 0.5 mm and of sufficient length to ensure its positive 
clamping to the frame.  
6.4.2.6  Axles shall be so secured to the frame by means of clamps or brackets that any axial mov ement 
is prevented.  
7 Welding  
All welds shall be free from irregularities and defects, and shall present a neat appearance . 
8 Finish  
If so required (see Annex A), the pan shall be galvanized. All non-galvanized  parts (with the exception of th e 
wheel bearings) shall be given at least one coat of corrosion resistant and nontoxic  paint. (The parts shall 
have been degreased and cleaned before the paint is applied.) The painted surfaces shall be free from 
corrosion spots and from sags and wrinkles.  
9 Performance  
When a wheelbarrow has been tested in accordance with 10.4: 
a) the tyre shall show no signs of looseness on its rim, or non -uniform wear, flattening, grooves or 
cracks;  
b) the clearance between the wheel bearing and the axle shal l not have increased by more than 0.5 mm 
as a result of the test;  
c) the wheel shall be capable of spinning freely; and  
d) there shall be no sign of failure or looseness of any component part of the wheelbarrow  DUS 158: 2017  
© UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  7 
 10 Inspection and methods of test  
10.1 Inspectio n  
Visually examine and then measure  dimensions of  the wheelbarrow for compliance with those requirements of 
the standard for which tests to assess compliance are not giv en in 1 0.2 to 1 0.4 (inclusive).  
10.2 Capacity test  
Stand the wheelbarrow so that the rim of the pan is horizontal. Fill the pan with water to overflow . Measure, to 
the nearest half -litre, the volume of water in the pan. Check for compliance with 6.2.2. 
10.3 Determination of lifting force  
Load the pan of the wheelbarrow with 105 kg ± 1 kg of sand. Measure the total vertical force (applied equally 
to both handles at a point at least 25 mm from the ends of the handles) required to hold the wheelbarrow with 
the rim horizontal. Check for compliance with 6.2.4.2.  
NOTE  This test is applicable to type 5 wheelbarrows only . 
10.4 Durability test (not applicable to wheelbarrows fitted with steel wheels)   
10.4.1 Test rig  
This is one that  
a) has a t est wheel as shown in Figure 3;  
b) firmly anchors the handles of the wheelbarrow under test to one end of the  test rig, at such a height 
that the lowest point of the legs of the wheelbarrow is 150 mm ± 20 mm above the contact point of the 
test wheel and that the axle of the wheelbarrow wheel is vertically above the axis of the test wheel;  
c) ensures that the wheel o f the wheelbarrow under test rests on the running surface of the test wheel; 
and  
d) includes an electric motor and gearbox combination that enables the test wheel to be driven at a 
speed of 38 r/min ± 2 r/min in the direction shown in Figure 3.  DUS 158: 2017  
8 © UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  
 
 
Figure 2 — Test wheel (modified car wheel rim)  
10.4.2 Test load  
A test load that consists of rounded rocks, the masses of whi ch vary between 3 kg and 16 kg.  
10.4.3 Test procedure  
Carry out  the test in the sequence given in 1 0.4.3.1 to 1 0.4.3.6. 
10.4.3.1  Measurement of pre -test wheel bearing/axle clearance  
Before the test, measure and record the clearance between the wheel bearing and the axle.  
10.4.3.2  Wheelbarrow loading  
Using the test rocks (see 10.4.2), load the pan of the wheelbarrow  under test to the relevant test mass given 
in Table 4.  
Table 4 — Test mass and running time  
Type  of wheelbarrow  Test mass  
kg Running  time 
h 
1 65 2 150 
2 65 2 200 
3 80 2 200 
4 80 2 200 
5 80 2 200 
10.4.3.3  Running time of test  
Run the test rig, with the wheelbarrow under test mounted in position, for the relevant time given in Table 4.  DUS 158: 2017  
© UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  9 
 10.4.3.4  Tyre and wheel integrity  
On completion of the test, check the tyre and wheel for compliance w ith 9 a) and 9 c) respectively.  
10.4.3.5 Measurement of post -test bearing/axle clearance  
After the test, measure and record the clearance between the wheel bearing and the axle. Check for 
compliance with 9 b).  
10.4.3.6  Inspection  
Inspect the wheelbarrow under test for compliance with 9 d). 
11 Marking  
All wheelbarrows shall be legibly and indelibly marked with the following information:  
a) manufacturer's name,  
b) trade name and/ or trademark, and  
c) code or symbol that indicates the type of wheelbarrow.  
In the case of a type 5 wheelbarrow, the cap acity of the pan, to the nearest litre, shall be indicated on an 
outside surface of the pan.  DUS 158: 2017  
10 © UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Notes to purchasers  
The following requirements shall be specified in tender invitations and in each order or contract:  
a) the type of wheelbarrow  (see 4.1 and 4.2);  
b) when relevant for wheelbarrows of types 2, 4 and 5, that the thickness of the pan shall be 3.0 mm 
(see 6.2.3);  
c) for wheelbarrows of types 2 to 5, whether a pneumatic tyre is required and, if so, whether it shall be of 
2-ply or 4 -ply co nstruction (see 6.4.1.2);  
d) the type of wheel bearing required (see 6.4.1.3);  
e) for wheelbarrows of types 2 to 5, whether a steel wheel is required (see 6.4.2.1); and  
f) whether the pan is to be galvanized (see Clause 8).  DUS 158: 2017  
© UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  11 
 Annex  B 
(informative)  
 
Wheelbarrow dimensions  
 DUS 158: 2017  
12 © UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
[1] US 158:2000,  Specification for wheelbarrows  
[2] Agricultural hand tools in emergencies — Guidelines for technical and field officers  
 DUS 158: 2017  
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  13 
 Certification marking  
Products that conform  to Uganda standards may be marked with Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.  
The use of the UNBS Certification Mark is governed by the Standards Act, and the Regulations made 
thereunder. This mark can be  used only by those licensed under the certification mark scheme operated by 
the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and in conjunction with the relevant Uganda Standard. The 
presence of this mark on a product or in relation to a product is an assurance th at the goods comply with the 
requirements of that standard under a system of supervision, control and testing in accordance with the 
certification mark scheme of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. UNBS marked products are 
continually checked by UNBS for conformity to that standard.  
Further particulars of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from the Director, Uganda 
National Bureau of Standards.  
 
 DUS 158: 2017    
 
ICS nn.nnn.nn  
Price based on nn pages  
© UNBS 2017– All rights reserved