Nearly everyone assumes steel products are sturdier than plastic ones. For instance, a steel ruler outlasts a plastic one, and a steel cup is tougher than a plastic counterpart. But is that always true? In October 2020, TUFX conducted a series of highly destructive tests. The goal? To visually demonstrate once and for all which is stronger: a plastic wheelbarrow tray or a steel one. We pitted two models against each other: our PX120, widely regarded as the best contractor wheelbarrow, and a standard wheelbarrow with a steel tray.

The tests were rigorous. We dropped stones of varying sizes from the same height to observe their impact on the trays, then observe the state of the tray body after it was impacted. We also dropped both wheelbarrows from equal heights to check their post-impact condition. In both above tests, the plastic tray maintained excellent condition without any issues whatsoever, whereas the steel tray showed varying degrees of deformation.

But the most shocking moment came during the wheel loader compression test. When the same amount of deformation was induced and the loader’s pressure was released, the PX120’s plastic tray instantly went back to its original shape, as if nothing had happened. The metal tray, however, remained permanently warped.

The plastic tray isn’t just stronger; it boasts a key advantage steel can’t match - recoverability. It barely deforms, and even under extreme pressure that causes temporary distortion, it effortlessly rebounds to its original form thanks to its inherent elasticity. The PX120 is not only the Best Contractor Wheelbarrow on the market today, it is also the best poly wheelbarrow you will find on the market.