I bought my Jackson M6T22 wheelbarrow 3 years ago. Since then, it has moved about 6 tons of material. Mulch. Gravel. Soil. Firewood. Concrete. Pavers. Compost. It has been rained on, left outside accidentally, overloaded, and generally abused. It still works like the day I assembled it.
If you are considering the Jackson, this review covers what matters after years of real use – not just the specs from a product page.
What You Get for $110
The Jackson M6T22 is a 6-cubic-foot steel wheelbarrow. The tray is one piece of seamless steel – no bolts, no welds, no crevices. The steel is 16-gauge, which is thicker than most competitors. The undercarriage (the frame that holds the tray and wheel) is heavy-gauge steel with a rust-resistant powder coat. The handles are 60-inch hardwood. The wheel is a 16-inch pneumatic tire with a ball-bearing hub.
Rated capacity is 6 cubic feet or about 300 pounds. In practice, I have loaded it closer to 400 pounds of wet soil and the tray and frame handled it. Would I recommend doing that regularly? No. But the Jackson tolerates occasional overloading better than budget wheelbarrows.
Assembly Experience
The Jackson arrives partially assembled. You need to bolt the undercarriage to the tray, attach the wheel, and bolt on the handles. It takes about 45 minutes with basic tools (wrenches and a socket set help). The instructions are adequate but not great. If you have assembled anything before, you will figure it out.
The bolts are Grade 5 – strong and rust-resistant. All the holes line up correctly. This is not a cheap import where you spend 20 minutes forcing misaligned parts together. The manufacturing tolerances are tight.
One tip: do not overtighten the bolts into the wood handles. Snug them up and check them after the first few uses. Overtightening can split the hardwood.
The Seamless Steel Tray
The tray is the standout feature. It is stamped from a single sheet of 16-gauge steel. No seams. No welds. No bolts through the bottom. This matters for two reasons: durability and cleanability.
A welded tray can crack at the welds over time. A seamed tray can separate. The Jackson’s one-piece tray eliminates those failure points. It also means there are no crevices for wet material to get stuck in. When I dump a load of wet soil, the tray empties completely. A quick rinse with the hose and it is clean.
After 3 years, my tray has scratches and some paint wear inside from abrasive materials (gravel and concrete are rough on paint). But there is zero rust-through. The steel gauge is thick enough that surface scratches do not become structural problems. I touched up a few deep scratches with spray paint to prevent rust and the tray still looks good.
The tray is painted with a blue enamel finish that is tougher than the basic paint on budget barrows. It chips if you drop rocks on it but it does not peel or flake on its own.
Handles and Ergonomics
The handles are 60-inch hardwood with a slight contour that fits your hands. They are not padded but they do not need to be – hardwood has a natural shock absorption that metal or plastic handles lack. After an hour of hauling, my hands feel fine. No blisters.
The handle length gives you good leverage. At 5’10”, the handles sit at a comfortable height for me. If you are very tall (6’4″+) or very short (under 5’4″), the fixed handle height might not be ideal. There is no adjustment.
The handle grips are the bare wood. You can add aftermarket foam grips if you prefer cushioning. I have left mine bare and they have developed a patina that actually improves grip.
The Wheel – Pneumatic Tire Performance
The 16-inch pneumatic tire with a ball-bearing hub is one of the best features. The tire is 4-ply rated – thicker than the 2-ply tires on cheap wheelbarrows. It holds air well. I inflate mine about twice per season. The ball bearings make a noticeable difference when the barrow is heavily loaded – it rolls with less effort than a bushing hub.
The tire handles rough terrain well. I roll this barrow over grass, gravel, tree roots, and uneven ground. The pneumatic tire absorbs bumps that would jolt a flat-free tire and spill your load. The large diameter (16 inches) rolls over obstacles that would stop a smaller wheel.
The downside: pneumatic tires can go flat. A thorn, a nail, or just age can puncture the inner tube. I keep a spare inner tube ($8) and a small bike pump in my shed. Changing a tube takes about 15 minutes and is covered in my wheelbarrow tire replacement guide.
Durability After 3 Years
Here is the honest condition report after 3 years of heavy use:
- Tray: Scratched but no rust-through. Paint is worn in high-abrasion areas. Still solid.
- Undercarriage: No rust. The powder coat is intact. Bolts are tight.
- Handles: Slight weathering but no cracks or splinters. Still solid.
- Wheel: On my second inner tube (first one punctured by a thorn). The tire tread is about 60% worn.
- Bearings: Still smooth. I oil them once per year.
At this rate, I expect the Jackson to last another 10 to 15 years with basic maintenance. The replaceable parts (tire, tube, handles) mean I can refresh worn components without buying a whole new wheelbarrow.
What I Do Not Like
The weight. The Jackson weighs about 45 pounds empty. That is 10 pounds more than a poly-tray wheelbarrow. When you are already tired from yard work, maneuvering an empty 45-pound barrow feels heavy.
The price. At $110, it is $40 more than the True Temper KP6 (a decent competitor). For a homeowner who uses a wheelbarrow 5 times per year, the Jackson might be overkill. The True Temper does the same job for less money.
The tire requires air. This is a necessary tradeoff for the smooth ride of pneumatic tires but it is still a minor hassle. You need to own a pump and remember to check the tire pressure.
No flat-free option from Jackson. If you want a flat-free tire on a Jackson-quality barrow, you have to buy the wheelbarrow and then replace the wheel assembly yourself. Jackson sells the barrow; you do the modification.
Jackson M6T22 vs True Temper KP6
| Feature | Jackson M6T22 | True Temper KP6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$110 | ~$70 |
| Tray | 16-gauge seamless steel | Thinner-gauge seamless steel |
| Capacity | 6 cu ft / 300 lbs | 6 cu ft / 300 lbs |
| Wheel | 16″ pneumatic with bearings | 16″ pneumatic |
| Handles | 60″ hardwood | 60″ hardwood |
| Made In | USA | China/import |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | Limited lifetime |
The Jackson is better built. The steel is thicker. The bearings are better. The paint is tougher. Whether those differences are worth $40 depends on how much you use your wheelbarrow. For weekly use, the Jackson pays for itself in longevity. For monthly use, the True Temper is probably the smarter buy.
Who Should Buy the Jackson M6T22
Buy the Jackson if you use a wheelbarrow every week during the growing season. Buy it if you haul heavy, abrasive materials (gravel, concrete, rocks). Buy it if you want a tool that will last 15 to 20 years. Buy it if you prefer to support American manufacturing.
Skip the Jackson if you use a wheelbarrow a few times per year. A $70 barrow will serve you fine. Skip it if you want something lightweight. The 45-pound empty weight is noticeable. Skip it if you never want to deal with an inner tube – get a flat-free wheel assembly instead.
My Verdict
The Jackson M6T22 is the best traditional wheelbarrow I have used. The seamless steel tray, ball-bearing wheel, and thick-gauge steel justify the price. After 3 years of hard use, mine shows cosmetic wear but zero structural issues. I expect another decade of service.
Is it the best choice for everyone? No. The price and weight rule it out for casual users. But if you are serious about gardening and want a wheelbarrow that will outlast your mortgage, the Jackson is the one.
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Jackson M6T22 really made in the USA?
Yes. Jackson has manufactured wheelbarrows in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania since 1890. The company is now owned by The AMES Companies but the Harrisburg factory still produces the Jackson line.
Can I replace the wooden handles?
Yes. Jackson sells replacement handle kits. Any standard 60-inch wheelbarrow handle set should fit. The handles are attached with bolts – replacement takes about 20 minutes.
Does the Jackson come with a flat-free tire option?
No. The M6T22 comes with a pneumatic tire only. If you want flat-free, buy the wheelbarrow and then purchase a flat-free wheel assembly separately. The axle diameter is standard so most 16-inch flat-free wheels will fit.
How do I prevent the steel tray from rusting?
Store the wheelbarrow indoors or upside-down so water does not pool. Touch up any deep scratches with spray paint. A yearly coat of paste wax on the inside of the tray adds extra protection. Do not leave wet material (soil, compost) sitting in the tray for days.
Is assembly difficult?
Moderate difficulty. You need basic hand tools. The instructions are adequate. Expect about 45 minutes for assembly. Two people make it easier but one person can do it. The bolts are good quality and holes align properly.
