Whether you’re doing some light yard work or doing a full-scale landscaping project, you need the right equipment for the job. A lot of the time, that equipment is something that you can use to haul material back and forth, especially when it’s too much to carry with your bare hands.
Let’s be honest, a cart can save us a lot of time and energy. Which means that you can get more done in less time.
This is why professionals use dump carts for lawn maintenance. These are simple cart attachments that you can hook up to a lawn or garden tractor. You can load them with the necessary tools for the job or even excess debris that you need to load and off-load.
Finding the best dump carts for lawn tractors can be tricky, though. To help you, we have studied the market to help you find the best dump cart for you.
We’ll also be showing you how you can properly choose your dump carts from hundreds of brands out there.
Best Dump Carts for Lawn Tractors
Best Overall: Gorilla Carts Poly Garden
“This may be one of the most affordable yet premium dump carts out there”
Most Popular: Polar Trailer Clam LG7
“perfectly suitable for those small or moderate-level jobs in your lawn”
Best Premium Choice: Bannon Utility Trailer
“a professional-grade dump cart for anyone who wants their large-scale projects taken care of”
Best Budget Choice: Agri-Fab 45-0101 750
“ideal for carrying large quantities of fine material like sand”
Best for Large Loads: MotoAlliance Impact ATV/UTV
“With a rugged build to boot, it will last many projects to come over the years”
Good Alternative: Strongway Steel ATV Trailer
“It has a load bearing capacity of 1200 lbs”
Best Overall: Gorilla Carts Poly Garden
- Extremely cost-effective
- Great load capacity for the price range
- Feature-rich design
- Attaching the cart to the trailer could be better
Good For:
The Gorilla Carts Poly Garden is an amazing option for those buyers who like to be thorough with their purchases. It offers great features and functionality at a not-so-high price. Apart from a few nit-picky issues, there’s not that much wrong with it. This cements the cart as a top-notch buying choice.
Gorilla Carts has a star-studded reputation of its own. It is a cart company that focuses solely on making dump carts for landscaping, yard work, and lawn care needs. This not only gives it an edge in cart manufacturing, but it can also fine-tune its products to specifically fit the needs of lawn workers.
What’s more, the cart features a 2-in-1 convertible handle. Here, you can choose to either to pull the soft padded handle by hand or hook it up to your tractor. To add to that comfort, the cart has a redesigned frame to make ground clearance and maneuverability a breeze.
The most impressive thing about this cart is its load size. Despite having an entry-level price tag, this dump cart is easily capable of handling loads up to 800 lbs. It does this thanks to its 10-inch pneumatic wheels and its durable poly bed.
Not only does it stand up to heavy loads, but it is also durable against the elements thanks to its rust-proof coating. On the off chance something does go wrong, you have a 1-year manufacturer warranty to fall back on, so there’s no problem here at all.
Most Popular: Polar Trailer Clam LG7
- Easy to maneuver
- Solid and durable build
- Easy tipper switch for quick dumping
- The carrying capacity for loads is small
Good For:
If you are someone who wants a durable and working dump cart without any major issues, this might be it. The small load carrying capability does mean it is suited for smaller projects, but this also helps make it a nifty and easy-to-handle dump cart. For that reason alone, this dump cart can be a winner in anyone’s book.
Polar Trailer is a name that pops up every now and then. It is a company that exclusively makes trailers, so you can expect it to know its craft well by now. Additionally, it is owned by Clam Outdoors, which is another great company for making outdoor equipment. As a result, you have a solid manufacturer that knows how to make well-built trailers for outdoor situations.
The Clam LG7 does not seem that big of a trailer on paper, but it’s got all the right makings of a trailer that gets the job done well. It has a load size of 7 cubic feet along with a load bearing capacity of 600 lbs. This makes it perfectly suitable for those small or moderate-level jobs in your lawn.
The frame for this dump cart is made from steel that has been powder coated. What this means is that you are getting a solid cart that will not rust or scratch as easily. The cart’s tub is made out of heavy-duty polyethylene, which is light and durable. It is a good fit for small jobs where you want your cart’s weight to be a little lighter.
Best Premium Choice: Bannon Utility Trailer
- Tons of versatility in the design
- Extremely high load carrying capacity
- Sturdy construction
- Can be a bit pricey for some
Good For:
The Bannon Utility Trailer fits those who need the best possible cart for their projects and do not mind running through money. With such a well-rounded cart, it’s hard to find fault except for the price. That said, if you can afford it, there’s no good reason to pass up this dump cart.
Bannon is a well-known name in the construction trade. They produce high-grade equipment for industrial and commercial needs. It is usually the go-to brand for anyone in this field who wants to get their work done well and quickly. Apart from carts, they make things like pallet jacks, floor fans, and blower hoses. If you want to get anything done right, they are your best bet.
The Bannon Utility Trailer is a professional-grade dump cart for anyone who wants their large-scale projects taken care of. It has a fairly big load bearing capacity of 1600 lbs., which will be able to bear a ton of equipment or haul. This is combined with an impressive carrying volume of 24 cubic feet, which means you can essentially get your work done in fewer trips.
The dump cart is constructed from a sturdy steel frame. The side panels have been flared to add as much capacity as possible. You also have the option of completely removing the side panels from the cart for a more flatbed style. The tailgate even folds down easily to double as a nice ramp for loading purposes. If you are still not impressed, the dual action hitch makes it easy to lift and align your cart’s hitch to your vehicle in a matter of seconds.
Best Budget Choice: Agri-Fab 45-0101 750
- Good value for money
- Scratch-resistant powder coating
- 3-year warranty
- Axles could be better
Good For:
This dump cart is a surefire buy for the more budget-conscious lawn worker. It may fall a little short here and there, but it is by all accounts a fantastic dump cart for most purposes. The US-made construction is something to be marveled at and the 3-year warranty will give you peace of mind for a long time.
Agri-Fab is a company that has its fair share of reputation in the lawn care world. It has made products specifically to help with lawn care and landscaping.
The Agri-Fab 45-0101 750 is among the dump carts that provide better value for money. It is economically priced, so you never have to worry about going over budget on a project. What’s more, Agri-Fab offers slight discounts on orders of more than one cart. You can buy them in packs of 2, 3, or even 4 carts for a slight cut. This is great especially if you are looking to use multiple carts for your work.
The cart is able to handle a bunch of different jobs with ease. Whether you are hauling dirt, rocks, or potted plants, this cart makes it that much simpler. It has a bed size of 32.5” W x 49” L x 12” H, which makes it more than adequate for hauling a bunch of different materials.
The Agri-Fab 45-0101 750 has a solid construction with a closed design. This is ideal for carrying large quantities of fine material like sand. Instead of leaking from the sides like a cart with railings, this dump cart manages to keep everything inside. Its sides and bed are made of steel with a powder-coated finish, which helps it withstand years of use without fail.
Best for Large Loads: MotoAlliance Impact ATV/UTV
- Solid construction
- High load bearing capacities
- Large volume for carrying materials
- Tilt latch does not work well
- Tough to put together
Good For:
This cart is a good purchase for those looking to haul large loads. It has enough capacity to carry just about any mid-sized workload for any lawn projects. With a rugged build to boot, it will last many projects to come over the years.
MotoAlliance has a long-standing reputation as a trailer company. It has made all kinds of equipment, mounts, and accessories. Its product line consists of everything from winches to cab heaters and snowplows to LED lights, windshields, and replacement parts for major brands. It’s safe to say that it can be trusted with its products.
The MotoAlliance Impact is a fantastic dump cart that works well for just about any job. It promises a strong build with a large capacity that you can use to carry anything you want. This makes it suitable for extensive lawn work.
Construction-wise, there’s a lot to say about the MotoAlliance Impact. It has a solid steel frame that is built to carry loads around with ease. The side rails come with a removable mesh that you can use for transporting soil and other debris that normally leaks through. The tailgate also has its own mesh that is equally good for keeping things from falling out while you haul them.
The floor of the dump cart is made from solid steel and has raised bumps on it. This prevents your load from slipping off the floor while you are carrying it. The tires are built to last as well, and there’s about 11 inches of ground clearance with the cart. This makes it a solid, well-rounded cart.
Good Alternative: Strongway Steel ATV Trailer
- Decent load capacity
- Solid build quality (if QC did their job)
- Handy quick dumping feature
- Quality control is not up to the standards set by big brands
Good For:
If you want to take care of the job quickly without spending too much time or money, this might be the cart for you. It is suitable for a variety of projects and provides good functionality. You might have to be a little careful with the quality of the unit you get, but after that, it’s all smooth sailing.
Strongway may not be a name you might have come across often. It makes a variety of products for household and general lifestyle purposes. You can get different types of equipment from Strongway, ranging from service floor jacks, sprinklers and sprayers to lamps, cabling, tripods, air curtains, bins, and other miscellaneous products.
The Strongway Steel ATV Trailer is a heavy-duty dump cart that can easily take care of fairly large loads. It has a load bearing capacity of 1200 lbs., which is pretty suitable for sophisticated tasks.
You also do not have to put much effort into putting in and dumping out all that load in this cart. The cart has a removable tailgate, which simplifies the whole process and cuts down on the loading time by a lot.
To help you out even further, there is a foot pedal on the cart that dumps the load when hitched up. This makes it a near instant process for off-loading.
The sides for this dump cart are removable, but they require you to undo pins that attach it to the bottom plate. This might be a bit of a hassle for some. Otherwise, the robust steel construction of the dump cart speaks volumes for its durability. In fact, this cart is not only rust-proof but also UV-resistant thanks to the superior powder coating. You are guaranteed to get a pretty good mileage from this thing.
How to Choose the Best Dump Cart for Lawn Tractors
Choosing a dump cart for yourself can be an understandingly difficult process. You don’t just have to be able to differentiate between so many carts. You also have to be able to tell if your decision is the right one. Below, you will find some basic criteria that you can use to choose your ideal cart.
Capacity and Material
A dump cart’s main purpose is to transport materials, which is obvious, but it is important to know just what materials you plan to transport and how much.
Larger capacity dump carts will let you transport larger quantities of your material, while smaller capacities might be a bit limited. This may not be a problem with something soft or fine like sand or grass, but when it comes to solids like large rocks, it can be a problem. No matter how you stack them, they won’t squeeze in perfectly and you might have to sacrifice some space. Plus, making multiple trips will mean inefficiency and a lot of wasted effort.
Thus, before you head out to make your purchase, make sure you plan according to your haul. Know exactly what you will be putting in the cart and how much of it will be dumped per trip.
Material of the Dump Cart
Of course, when it comes to transporting loads back and forth, you need something that is reliable. There is no point in buying a dump cart that only delivers a handful of the time before breaking down or becoming useless. You need something that can stand the test of time, and that’s where its construction comes in.
Different dump carts will be made out of different materials depending on the make and model. Materials are usually chosen depending on the type of haul you want the cart for. They also affect the overall cost of the cart.
Here are some of the common materials and their advantages:
Metal
Metal used to be one of the most common materials for making dump carts, but we are now seeing a lot of manufacturers taking a different approach.
Metal carts tend to be more resilient to hits, scrapes, and bumps against their surfaces. This alone makes them highly suitable for transporting materials like stone, clay, and heavy tools. You can be sure that your metal cart is not going to break if it hits something or falls off from a height.
The disadvantage is that metal carts have a lot of weight of their own. This can add more strain while pulling them. Moreover, it does not make sense to use them for lighter materials like grass. They are also more prone to rusting.
Plastic
Plastic is widely being adopted as a dump cart material. It is cheap, versatile, and easy to manufacture.
Plastic carts are much lighter when compared to metal. In most cases, they are just as or more durable than metal carts. This makes them suitable for just about any type of material. What’s more, they are also waterproof and virtually indestructible against natural elements.
The downside for plastic is that it is not as impact resistant as metal. Hence, it is possible to have your cart damaged with a hard-enough hit. It also tends to be susceptible to UV damage.
Mobility
Mobility is extremely crucial when it comes to dump carts. There’s no point in getting a cart that can’t turn around properly after it has been loaded.
Bad mobility can result in things like your cart getting tipped over, spilling your load, or getting unhitched from your vehicle entirely. It will also affect how easily you can take it round to your dumping site without having to stop every now and then.
When looking out for dump carts, make sure to factor in mobility. You can do this by looking at the material, size, and quality of the cart’s wheels as well the swivel of its hitch. It is important to get this right, especially if your lawn or job site has tight turns or spaces that you would need to get through.
Conclusion
Finding the best dump carts for lawn tractors may seem hard, but it is not as tough as it seems. At the end of the day, make sure you keep the purpose of the dump cart in mind. If you stick to why you want to use it and what you want to use it for, you should be able to find something worthwhile.