Skottkärra

Skottkärra is the Swedish word for wheelbarrow. A wheelbarrow is a small hand-propelled vehicle, usually with just one wheel, designed to be pushed and guided by a single person using handles at the rear. They are commonly used for carrying loads too heavy or bulky to be carried by hand. The basic design consists of a tray or bucket, a single wheel at the front, two handles at the rear, and two legs to support the vehicle when it is not in motion.

The invention of the wheelbarrow is often attributed to China, with evidence suggesting their use as early as the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). However, the single-wheeled design also appeared in Europe around the 12th century. Early European wheelbarrows typically had a larger wheel positioned further back, closer to the handles, which shifted more weight onto the operator. The modern design, with the wheel placed at the front of the load-bearing tray, became prevalent later.

Skottkärra are constructed from various materials, including wood, metal, and plastic. The tray capacity can vary significantly depending on the intended use, from small garden models to larger construction versions. They are essential tools in gardening, construction, agriculture, and many other manual labor tasks. The lever action provided by the handles and the wheel allows a person to move significantly heavier loads than they could otherwise manage.