Among many useful tools and items used in gardening, there are those that play an essential part in the everyday landscaping routine. Things like hoes and rakes are indispensable for busy cottage life, just like a hammer and nails are for carpentry. The same applies to dump carts that help you around tirelessly. They prevent you from non-essential physical work and save a lot of time that can be used otherwise.
Now, the question “Which is the best cart for lawn tractor?” emerges inevitably. Throughout my many-year experience with tending gardens and lawns, I’ve encountered a variety of products. There have been good and efficient carts, as well as disastrous and highly uncomfortable prototypes. To save you from going through the same misfortunes as I have before, I’ve come up with a list of appliances to your disposal.
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7 Best Dump Carts to Optimize Your Garden Maintenance
[wpsm_box type=”blue” float=”none” textalign=”left”]- BEST DUMP CART FOR LAWN TRACTOR: GORILLA YARD DUMP CART
- MOST SECURE TRACTOR SUPPLY DUMP CART: AGRI-FAB MAX DUMP CART
- BEST ATV DUMP TRAILER ASSISTANT: CRAFTSMAN POLY DUMP CART
- BEST WELDED DUMP CART: MOTOALLIANCE CART AND CARGO TRAILER
- SUPERB LAWN MOWER DUMP CART: AGRI-FAB 650-POUND
- BEST LAWN TRAILER: POLAR LAWN AND GARDEN TRAILER
- STEEL DUMP CART: OHIO STEEL PRO
To set the ball rolling, it’s important to remember that depending on the scale of your property, vegetation, frequency of gardening maintenance, you might prefer one product to another. That’s completely fine by me since this list is meant to encourage you to look better and more closely to what you’re about to buy. So, let’s see what’s the best lawn cart for you and your hobby.
1. Gorilla Yard Dump Cart — the Best Dump Cart for Lawn Tractor 4.7/5
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The Gorilla Dump Cart is truly the cherry on the top of my gardening routine. So, a few years back I was browsing the market for a strong and light dump cart that I needed. After two unlucky purchases that would break down within a month of use, I stumbled upon this one. And I’ve been using it ever since; therefore, I can claim that it’s the best garden cart I’ve managed to find so far. Here’s why.
First, the product comes in parts that the buyer has to assemble by themselves. The instructions and the process are so easy that it takes up to an hour to put it together and make it ready for a full-blown use.
Second, the cart is designed to be heavy-duty and carry over 1,000 pounds of solid materials, like rocks, bricks, wood logs, metal rods, etc. The surface is covered with hard plastic and is very resistant to blunt and sharp damages. The cart doesn’t dent easily under the pressure of its haul and remains steady thanks to the strong rubber wheels. Moreover, the hardened plastic can withstand temperature changes of all sorts, it doesn’t overheat during summer and is not corrupted by rust during humid and cold seasons.
Third, if you take a look at the cart’s outer structure, it’s very noticeable that the product has an in-built fast-unload function. Equipped with a two-mode handle, unloading and loading are made very easy and usually don’t require any physical support from the user. You can either push it forward or just tow it behind, and you don’t need to worry about flipping it over or losing control, because wheels and modes make the cart extremely maneuverable.
Also, the manufacturer has produced a whole line of such tractors that come in different sizes and materials. The GOR6PS item is a combination of the best qualities of the whole line that blends comfort and versatility.
- Lightweight and rather movable;
- Rust and humidity-proof;
- Strong and steady handle;
- Spacious and deep; can take in bulky materials;
- The base is hardened with steel;
- Stable wheels that prevent the cart from flipping over and get over any rocky or grassy areas;
- One-year warranty services.
- Might be hard to wash out dirt from the wheels.
2. Agri-Fab Max Dump Cart — the Most Secure Tractor Supply Dump Cart 4.1/5
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The Agri-Fab 45-0101 is a great option for hauling large-scale commodities and handling bulk materials, like sand, pebble, fertilizers, or even grain. The reason for this is that the bed is very secure and supported by steel safety caps. As a result, all the sides are clenched firmly without any gaps. This ensures the complete integrity of a commodity. Moreover, the whole cart skeleton is sufficiently stabilized which prevents wobbling and the possibility of spilling or tossing the haul.
Another interesting feature of this lawn trailer is its pneumatic moving mechanism. The metal core of the wheel wrapped in coarse rubber provides balance and steadiness while towing. The mechanism is meant to run easily over small and medium obstacles that happen to be on its way. When using the cart, there’s no bouncy feeling, like your trailer is about to jump up, but a clean and smooth ride.
Besides the stability and comfort of use, there’s a nice foot-release function. By this function, the user can unload any haul simply by applying a little pressure to the in-built foot lever located below the handle.
The coat of the surface is very resistant to scratching and light damages. Having utilized high-quality anti-damage and anti-rust paint, the manufacturer has made sure that the cart stays protected in all seasons. This makes it perfect for hauling in the rain, snow, or considerable heat.
As an addition, the cart is insured with a three-year limited warranty that secures your money. As you can have the product repaired or even completely replaced should there be any manufacturing deficiencies, I think the company deserves your trust.
I know this because of my cousin, who owns a medium-sized farm nearby. He’s got to distribute fodder to the cattle and move around bulky materials for his new barn construction site. Considering his feedback, the product is a great fit for all kinds of supply handling.
- Secured and reinforced with steel constructions;
- Almost completely weatherproof;
- Gap- and hole-free;
- It doesn’t lose any haul on your way;
- Tough and strong rubber wheels; no more flat tires;
- Equipped with a hitch;
- Large and spacious dimensions;
- Excellent customer service.
- Quite hefty.
3. Craftsman Poly Dump Cart — the Best ATV Dump Trailer Assistant 4.2/5
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I’ve chosen this cart as one of the best dump trailers because it’s very versatile and has perks that other products of this category normally lack. The assembly is very simple, it is done in a matter of placing a few screws and finding the right spots for the wheels and tailgate.
First, let’s talk about the dimensions. This product option is much smaller than others and cannot haul a great deal of commodity. However, this might be the biggest pro. Due to its optimized proportions, the trailer serves as a maneuverable, easy-to-use 2-wheeled compliment to the property of any size. It moves freely among premises and between cultivated rows without bumping or trumping. Furthermore, the storage place for this fella doesn’t have to be roomy. It can be easily and comfortably parked in the barn, garage, or simply put away in a corner of the chicken coop.
Second, it’s meant to be suitable for most hitch locks. Specifically engineered to be an add-on to medium-scale tractors, the product has a very adjustable handle, which makes it perfect for towing mowed grass, fodder, etc., especially if you intend to match it with a grass mower. Also, it’s equipped with an easy-to-remove tailgate. This function can be very useful for fitting in large loads that can easily get stuck in the gate.
Third, thanks to the dimensions and ultralight materials, the trailer is definitely made for people who are in search of a one-person garden tractor trailer. While working on your garden or lawn maintenance, you won’t need any assistance with moving the trailer from the storage, connecting it to the tractor or grass mower. All these actions become facile and easily accomplished with a single pair of hands.
I’ve got one for myself and use it mainly for household chores which involve moving firewood or regular backyard cleaning. Thus, I can say from my first-hand experience that if you’re concerned with minor and medium-size hauling activities, then you will find this product as effective as it gets.
- Sturdy and very durable;
- Perfect for medium commodities;
- Covered with rust-resistant powder;
- Pneumonic wheels with a strong metal core;
- Very light and can be handled by a single person;
- Has a comfortable tailgate;
- Before unpacking, the box is tightly compressed and fits into a regular car trunk.
- Doesn’t have an assembly instruction.
4. MotoAlliance Cart and Cargo Trailer — the Best Welded Dump Cart for Lawn Tractor 4.3/5
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Maintaining households can be an expensive and time-consuming trade that demands a lot of essential chores to be done. The MotoAlliance Trailer is the best choice for people who have a medium-size and large property to tend to.
The manufacturer has been successfully elaborating and offering gardening utilities on the market for the past 15 years. There’s a lot to tell but, the product’s main perk is the capacity that very few household dump carts can face off against. Being able to carry loads up to 1,600 pounds, the add-on has a volume of over 14 cubic feet. By these measures, it becomes a very helpful tool in moving grand hauls both inside and outside the property.
The initial package contains the garden trailer, two hardened wheels, a hitch lock, and other hardware to put together. As you start assembling the parts, you’ll see that it might take quite some time, but the process becomes easier thanks to clear, illustrated instructions.
Now, since the trailer is meant to be heavy-duty, the construction is designed using hard metals, like steel which is embedded into the outer side frames and the bed (floor) of the product to make it more durable. This enables the user to be secure when putting rough or sharp-edged materials that, normally, would scratch the surface and leave a trace for good. Based on anti-rust powder, the coat is extremely resilient to a variety of damages and atmospheric conditions, which keeps the paint fresh at all costs.
Among many beneficial features, the rugged rails that make up the armature reduce the whole construction’s weight and are designed to last longer than simple integrated plates. Moreover, they are equipped with additional two-feet frames that create upward space for excessively long loads.
Firmly welded axles and wheels are also an advantage as they provide stability and overall trailer balance. As my neighbor, who’s an eager fan of the product, has once told me, there’s no more flipping over or diving in for the trailer, it remains calm and smooth during a car ride.
Below the trailer’s mainframe, there is an in-built lever for dumping. It’s activated with simple foot pressure, after which a haul slides down carefully on the ground. The process is facilitated with slight dents on the trailer’s bed that make tilting through the tailgate easier than before.
- Firmly welded and sturdy;
- More capacious than most trailers of these dimensions;
- Easily runs over large impediments;
- Doesn’t wobble during a car/tractor ride;
- Pneumatic tires;
- Perfect for hauling bulk materials.
- Tiresome to assemble;
- Not suitable for small tractors.
5. Agri-Fab 650-Pound — a Superb Lawn Mower Dump Cart 4.3/5
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Agri-Fab is a gardening and cultivation products manufacturer that’s been entrusted with numerous households all over the world. This polymer dump cart for lawn tractor is a great accessory for simplifying anyone’s lawn and garden maintenance.
The main mechanism of the cart’s operation is towing. Equipped with a conjunct steel bar, the cart is easily joined with a lawn mower or a regular tractor without any friction. Due to its well-calibrated axles, the appliance aligns perfectly with any vehicle and isn’t tossed around while moving. Made of high-quality plastic and lightweight materials just like for cars, the user can manually drag it from and to a storing place, no help is needed.
As my experience tells me, sometimes all the parts of a garden dump cart are manually screwed together which makes it more susceptible to sudden movements or jumping. But, unlike many similar products, this trailer is completely molded and integrated making it more durable and shock-resistant.
Yes, the proportions of the product are more limited than those of a heavy-duty attachment, and it can haul around 700 pounds of bulk and solid materials. However, this might be a great advantage, especially if it’s used for local and around-the-house clean-ups. It doesn’t get stuck in wet soil because it’s light-weight; it doesn’t bump into the vegetation on your way to the shed; it doesn’t leave any hard-pressed wheel traces on freshly mowed grass, etc.
Though the main body is made of polypropylene, the frame itself is hardened with sturdy and unbendable steel. Therefore, the user shouldn’t worry if they stumble upon a boulder or a metal rod – the construction will survive effortlessly.
What I really like in the Agri-Fab unit is that it’s aimed at working smart, not hard. The reinforced plastic floor is designed to hold the tilt of an acute angle (approx. 60 degrees) which results in fast and well-controlled dumping. Whenever I need to move mulch to the plants, I always make sure to put a cover on the cart’s bed. In this case, when the haul is dumped, it doesn’t get stuck to the plastic, and I don’t need to clean it later, but it slides down slowly on the ground.
Also, there’s been a Agri-Fab garden cart review claiming that the strong rubber wheels are well-patterned but flat enough to avoid getting dirt between the gaps.
- Ultralight;
- Very efficient for moving voluminous loads;
- Coated in scratch-protective paint;
- Matchable with all kinds of tractors;
- Enhanced dumping mechanism;
- Very easy to assemble;
- Great for small and medium farms and land lots.
- Rather expensive.
6. Polar Trailer Lawn and Garden Trailer — the Best Lawn Trailer You Didn’t Know You Needed 4.4/5
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The Polar Trailer is one kind of a piece of durable equipment. Unlike other metal-infused carts, this product relies mostly on its poly components and its strong and flexible functions. Plastic has proven very effective for resisting harsh weather conditions. It neither overheats in the sun nor cracks from frost.
The trailer is all about landscaping and free movement around the property. Thanks to the tough and bouncy wheels, the appliance easily makes its way through any kind of vegetation regardless of its density. It’s, indeed, a heavy-duty dump cart for lawn tractor that can haul around 1000 pounds of pure weight.
Perfect for being loaded with firewood, rocks, sand, or even fertilizers, the product is supported with hardy molded ball bearings for a smoother ride. Such a technology prevents metal corrosion and reliefs the user from the necessity to cover the bearings with an excessive amount of grease.
The weight of a commodity is distributed evenly throughout steel rods that keep the floor uplifted, excluding any chance of breeches or cracks at the bottom. Though it’s not provided with lights, it can easily withstand a rushy off-road 10-mph ride.
It’s interesting to know that the producer has released a line of trailers that vary in size and capacity. However, all of them are united by their highly functional tipping lever. Located near the hitch pin, it comes in handy when you need to unload the whole tub with only one motion.
I’ve seen it at its best on my friend’s farm, and it was very impressive. The trailer would slide calmly on the grass, while the lawnmower it was attached to was swirling and springing all over the place.
Another noticeable feature is that the trailer is compatible with almost any gardening vehicle. As long as a tractor has a hitch, the cart’s hitch pin will fit properly and won’t fall out during use.
- Weather-proof;
- Covered with anti-corrosion materials;
- Comfortable and easy to use;
- Compatible with any hitch-equipped tractors;
- Compact and neat;
- Doesn’t need additional mending after the assembly;
- Made to last for years.
- Has a limited coloring range;
- Isn’t recommended for vehicles except for tractors or lawnmowers.
7. Ohio Steel Pro — Steel Dump Cart for Lawn Tractor 4.5/5
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As a leading item in the Top 100 Best Garden Utilities, the Ohio Steel Tractor can compete with other poly carts. If you look at the trailer, you’ll see a well-contrived design that enables its many-purpose use.
First, due to its cutting-edge high-quality core materials, the product doesn’t succumb easily to dents and major damages. It’s known to withstand both direct hits after throwing a large boulder onto the floor and accidental shovel or hoe slashes.
Second, the top part of the tub is specifically curved outwards. Thanks to this trick, the cart’s edges are very unlikely to chip or crack when putting large-sized loads. Furthermore, the tub is intentionally trapeze-shaped. As the weight of a haul concentrates on the narrow bottom, it spreads its pressure equally over the axles and, subsequently, over the wheels. This helps the cart amplify its loading capacity, which is a little shy of 1,300 pounds.
Third, I’m amazed by the trailer’s ability to pivot properly. Many garden carts might have a flexible swivel system but, sometimes, their movement is unclear, as if it were obstructed by the bearings’ rust or general rubber stiffness. But not this one. When maneuvering, the steel support under the floor straightens parallelly to the wheel making the movement very dexterous, like that of an actual car.
I haven’t had a chance to try it out myself but I’ve heard definitely more than one positive carry on dump trailer review for this product from people I used to work with. All of them have assured me that a product of such quality and a multitude of functions is an indispensable tool for maintaining a whole farm or a small backyard.
- Resilient and durable;
- Has a high hauling capacity;
- Very maneuverable;
- Extremely easy to put together;
- Has a comfortable valve for checking pressure and inflating;
- Hybrid hitch system.
- Takes up a lot of space;
- Quite pricey.
FAQ on Dump Carts for Lawn Tractors
What Is the Importance of a Dump Cart?
A dump cart is an essential utility that various household owners prefer to use for their regular property maintenance. Along with many other appliances, such as lawnmowers, tractors, manual and automatic trailers, a cart fits perfectly in any landscaping routine.
The feature that usually makes up a good dump cart is, of course, dumping. Most products are equipped with in-built manual or automatic release mechanisms. By applying a little pressure to, most likely, a lever situated below the hitch rod, the bed flips downwards at an acute angle and dumps the haul.
The variety in the use of the product varies drastically depending on the type of property one possesses. For instance, farmers normally take along this unit to ensure the fast and comfortable transportation of fodder to domestic animals all over the site. Freed from the burden of carrying the food in bare hands or, more importantly, needlessly burning expensive vehicle fuel, people are assisted in moving large amounts of commodities easily.
On the other hand, this utility is frequently applied when moving gardening and lawn materials. Wood logs, pebble, mulch, fertilizers, etc., are placed onto the cart to distribute them quickly or remove them from the property. Moreover, the appliance is suitable for helping construction site workers and builders with large and heavy objects.
How to Maintain a Garden Dump Cart?
Taking care of all your gardening appliances is a very important part of any work process. Though a dump cart, like any other tool, requires a caring hand, it’s simpler to keep up with its needs than with other household things.
Cleaning and maintaining a trailer generally comes in two ways, i.e. pre-use maintenance and after-use maintenance.
Pre-use maintenance normally includes the following steps. First, you need to make sure that the bed of your cart is intact and doesn’t have any major damages from previous uses. Also, in order to avoid unnecessary cleaning, you can always cover the floor with a thin plastic sheet. This way, you’re able to remove any dirt or particles simply by taking out the cover.
Second, get a general overlook of your utility. Pay close attention to the wheels since they might need some greasing up. See if the hitch pin is there. I wouldn’t recommend losing it because it can be quite pricey to replace the part.
The after-use routine normally consists of the same steps. However, it’s crucial to give your utility thorough cleaning. Generally, places that get extremely dirty are the bed, the wheels, and the axles. Apply water and cleaning supplies to all the parts. Get all the dirt from the cart’s joining mechanisms as they might dry up and impede the proper movement of the appliance. Moreover, the wheel pattern gaps can be filled up with soil, so you need to take care of that as well.
Which Type of Dump Cart Is Better for My Lawn Tractor?
Well, it’s very individual. First, it’s important to establish the exact kind and line of your tractor. This can be found either on the bumper or in the manual.
Second, make sure that your tractor has a hitch. A lot of old lawn vehicle models don’t actually have it, thus making it incompatible with carts, unlike modern products that have an already provided joining mechanism.
They have an in-built hitch lock to match with most tractors and lawnmowers. A large number of those are generally hybrid, meaning that its hitch pin is suitable for all kinds of tractors, mowers, ATVs, etc. However, you should always check compatibility guides and purchase reviews to rest assured that your newly-bought item is exactly matchable with your vehicle.
How to Choose the Best Dump Cart for Lawn Tractor?
Choosing a certain lawn tractor cart is usually determined by what you’re going to need it for. There are two main types of a trailer, i.e. a manual cart and an attachment cart.
The manual one serves as an effective moving utility that is equipped with a handle to be dragged by. We use it generally for a small-size property, like a backyard lawn or a garden. It’s perfect for small-scale commodities, like bulk materials, firewood, fertilizers, etc.
On the other hand, an attachable trailer is good for distributing and moving large hauls that would be difficult to deal with with a single pair of hands.
Of course, it’s difficult to find out how good a product is without actually trying it first. Here, I would recommend you to always look up verified purchase reviews on your likely-to-be trailer. If this doesn’t work for you well enough, then search for online guides and blogs of people who have already had something to do with the product. Anyway, that’s what I normally do, and it has never let me down yet.
The Bottom Line
I love my gardening routine, for it brings me joy and energy I might lack sometimes. Having comfortable, reliable, and more importantly, good-quality utilities that come in handy regularly is the basis of that joy.
A dump cart is not just an accessory to your tractor but a necessity. Whether you need a very movable and ultralight product or a large-scale bed for bulky and space-consuming materials, a trailer will always come in handy.
I highly recommend choosing products for your gardening routine according to your own needs and circumstances. After all, they’re going to be your support and companions for long years to come.
Now, this has been my perspective on trailers. I do hope you’ve got something useful for yourself and, maybe, you’ve already decided on what appliance to buy. Nevertheless, what is your experience with lawn tractor carts? Which types do you prefer: poly or steel products? Or, have you found any alternative? I’d love to hear from you, so feel free to comment below. Take care!
I am curious as to which Gorilla cart you are reviewing and recommending. You list the 1200# cart, but the attached video (which was helpful for sure!) is for the 1500# cart. Now I am assuming you mean the 1200# cart as that is the one that the link to Amazon is for but I wanted to ensure that the 1200#/6cuft cart was in fact the one you are recommending before I pull that trigger and purchase.
I have been researching for a while and very much appreciate your review and suggestions. And for me, I think the 1200# would be better as it looks like the 1500# cart is quite large and could be a storage issue. But again just wanted to ensure which you meant as your top choice.
Appreciate your time!
Regards, Anthony
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for your comment about my post, I’m glad you find the information I share useful. The Gorilla Cart GOR10-16 dump cart is my personal favorite — and it is mentioned as my top choice at the beginning of this post. I’ve been using it for over a year now, and, I must tell you, it’s the best yard cart I’ve tried so far (and I’ve tried many carts, a lot of them wear out real fast…) This one, however, is well-built, well-designed, and exceptionally sturdy. The thing is made to carry about 1,500 pounds of solid materials and is reliably dent-resistant.
To be honest, all of the above can be said about the Gorilla 1,200-pound capacity dump cart, too. It’s durable, maneuverable, and super easy to use, and it requires some storage space when not in use as well. The final choice depends on what you want to do with your cart.
If the job you need the Gorilla cart for is small, the 1,200-pound version is perfect. I, however, often require towing the cart to my tractor or even car, and that’s when the 1,500-pound version becomes an absolute winner. With bigger tires that can hold considerably more weight, this cart lets you choose between hand-pulling and driving. Top item for fieldwork or mowing something further than your yard.
The price difference is not big, and I wouldn’t say that storage is an issue if you already have some space reserved for a new cart. I hope this helps. You’re more than welcome to let me know your opinion on the cart you choose to buy once you run it through its paces. Looking forward to hearing from you.