Best Wagons & Dump Carts for Tractors & Yard Work

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So, you’re looking for a good dump cart for your riding lawn mower or maybe you’re looking for a good wagon for yard work.

In this article, I’ll share my own experience, and will recommend a dump cart, which I’m already using for a few months, and I’m quite happy with it.

Best Dump Cart for Yard Work

Comparison of Top 3 Dump Carts

best value for money

Gorilla Dump Cart (Our Choice)

1200 lbs capacity

Patented dump feature

2-In-1 convertible handle

Tough & durable

4 wheels

PERSONAL TAKE: I recommend this dump cart because it gives the best value for money, dumping is super easy in it, it’s more stable than others, and with a 2-in-1 convertible handle, you can use it as a wagon or trailer (your choice). I’m using it, and it’s working great.

Best USA Made

Craftsman Dump Cart

350 lbs capacity

Easy dump feature

Universal fit hitch

Made in the USA

2 wheels

PERSONAL TAKE: If you want to buy stuff made in the USA, go for this dump cart. It has 2 wheels, so it is not as stable as a Gorilla cart, but it’ll work great with your lawn tractor.

best premium

Agri-Fab Tow Behind Cart

750 lbs capacity

Steel bed construction

Easy dump feature

Universal fit hitch

2 wheels

PERSONAL TAKE: If you want to buy the most durable dump cart, and sturdy dump cart, this is the best option. It’s made of steel, and the easy dumping feature makes it a good buy. You can connect it to your lawn tractor, and use it the way you like.

A few months back, I purchased Gorilla Poly Dump Cart, and I can’t tell you how impressed I’m with it.

It has a 2-in-1 convertible handle which means, you can use it as a wagon, and when you need it as a dump cart or trailer, just rotate the handle, and connect it to your riding mower. It’s super easy.

I purchased it as a dump cart, but soon, I started using it for various other purposes. Now, I use it more as a garden wagon and carry things in it than a trailer.

best dump cart for lawn tractor

The upper body is made of plastic which is supported by a steel frame. Now, I know what you’re thinking. You must be thinking that it’s made of plastic, so it can’t hold much weight.

I was also thinking that. But, I was wrong. I was amazed by its quality, and how durable it is.

My Gorilla Cart has a capacity of 1200 lbs (approximately 540 kg) which is a lot. I have used it for carrying mulch bags, garden tools, bricks, logs, groceries, and kids (yes, kids ride in it for fun).

wagons for lawn mower

We throw bricks in it, and sometimes, kids jump in the cart, and it’s still working perfectly fine.

Check this video, and see how this dump cart performs in various tests. Take a look, at how easily you can move it, and unloading is super easy.

In the past, I have used wheelbarrows, and working with them is really difficult because you can’t put a lot of weight on them. If you put a lot of weight, then pushing becomes a nightmare. However, it has 4 wheels, so, it’s quite easy to move. Even, my 7-year-old son can do it.

The dump feature is really good, and probably that’s the reason why a lot of people buy it. They developed a unique way of easy unloading, and now, that’s their patented dump feature.

It has a small turning radius, and I really love my Gorilla Cart. When I buy a cart full of groceries, I use my Gorilla cart to take the carries inside my house. The turning radius is beyond 90 degrees, so, I can just turn it in any direction which is very helpful in turning it inside the house. It’s more like a zero-turn mower.

Another great feature is custom side support pockets. If you want to increase the capacity, then you can build wooden walls, and attach them to the side support pockets. This way, you can easily increase the capacity.

Check this video on how to increase its capacity by building side walls. To save you time, the video will start at 5.38 minutes. However, feel free to watch the whole video if you want.

So, overall, I am very happy with the purchase. Once you buy this dump cart, I’m sure, you’ll start using it in a lot of other places than just yard work.

Few Recommendations Based on Size

I use this Gorilla 1200 lbs (549 kg) Dump Cart. It’s perfect for my use, and I use it with my zero-turn riding mower.

If you need a small and sturdy dump cart, then you should go with Gorilla 600 lbs (270 kg) Dump Cart. But, you can’t attach it to your lawn mower. You can use it as a wheelbarrow or a wagon. If you use a small walk-behind or push mower, then you can buy it. My cousin uses this Gorilla 600 lbs Cart for many purposes like moving animal feed, groceries, dirt, and other yard work.

If you need a little more capacity, you should buy Gorilla 800 lbs (360 kg) Dump Cart. It has a 2-in-1 easy-to-use handle, so you can use it as a wagon/wheelbarrow, and attach it to your lawn mower if needed. If you have a small yard, but thinking about buying a ride-on mower, then you can buy this dump cart. However, if this is the case, buying a 1200 lbs cart (which I own – this one) makes more sense because the 1200 lbs cart costs just a couple of more dollars, and you’ll get an extra 400 lbs capacity.

If you want a big yard, or want high capacity, I would recommend Gorilla 1500 lbs (675 kg) Cart. With its 2-in-1 handle, you can easily connect it to your zero-turn mower or lawn tractor.

I also want to mention Gorilla GOR1400-COM Cart. This 1400 lbs (630 kg) capacity cart has removal sides, so you can use it to move big objects like wood logs. It also has a convertible 2-in-1 handle. You can also use it as a trailer.

Other Good Dump Carts for Lawn Mowers

Dump cart for lawn tractors

Craftsman 10-cu ft Poly Dump Cart

It’s your classic, two-wheeled wagon just short from a wheelbarrow. This design is iconic enough for it to be used by many brands.

But it’s Craftsman’s time to shine, so let’s talk more about that, shall we?

As another dump cart for lawn tractor made out of plastic, rust, and corrosion are non-existent when it comes to this, so that’s one problem off the list!

Another issue you can tic off is maneuvering, as the Craftsman features pneumatic tires that can go on either smooth or rough surfaces combined with the ribbed design that makes it roll across your yard as gentle as a summer breeze.

As for assembling, this has a minimal amount of parts for you to consider, which should give you up to thirty minutes to fix up then you’re ready to go!

In exchange, despite having the same material as the Gorilla, the Craftsman can only handle 550 pounds in its capacity. So that roughly makes it half the weight from Gorilla.

On the bright side, though, Craftsman features a universal fit hitch that can connect it to many lawn tractors out there, with a foot lever making life easier for your back, so you don’t have to bend over just to unload!

Precision 10 Cu Ft Steel Dump Cart

Aptly branded as “Precision” Products, this dump cart’s design is pretty straight-to-the-point.

It’s more or less what you’ll expect to see from an average wagon.

Because of this, it’s probably to be expected how easy to use this is, the assembling even more so. At a glance, you can quickly tell it has few assembly parts to pay more mind to, just like the one from Craftsman.

Pneumatic wheels move this wagon around for that easy maneuvering, whether across smooth marble or, of course, gritty rocks.

And carrying all of that load around is a steel bed supported by a steel axle guaranteed for its solidness.

The same can’t be said for the bed itself, though.

Yes, it’s made of steel, but it’s not as solid as you’d expect. Meaning, it’ll inevitably sport dents if you load it up with a ton of rocks.

So, if you’re looking for something “precise” to fulfill your needs, this Precision Product is the way to go.

Just be mindful of what you’ll be loading it with, and be careful in keeping it from bumping into anything!

Agri-Fab 750-Pound Max Utility Tow Behind Cart

Another lawn cart for ride on mowers made of steel, Agri-Fab, pushes it even further by topping it off with a powder-coat paint finish that guarantees a longer product life.

This results in quality scratch resistance, perfect for whatever chore you have out in the yard. Be it carrying lumber or pebbles.

However, keep in mind that, despite its steel bed, this can only handle the capacity of 750 pounds.

Pneumatic wheels carry this wagon around to enhance that mobility you’ve been looking for, even across rough terrain.

What’s more, these wheels have bearings that feature grease zerks for quick and clean maintenance. And it doesn’t hurt that this helps prolong Agri-Fab’s lifetime even more.

In line with ease, this features an easy-release foot lever for you to push your foot onto instead of going through the trouble of ducking to tip your cart over!

Besides that, a hitch is equipped as its attaching system meant for universal use so that you can connect this to most of the lawn tractors out there in just a few bolts and screws!

Speaking of bolts, you’ll probably notice that, in assembling, the ones from the body might not line up with the chassis, so keep a lookout for that.

Ohio Steel Pro Grade Hybrid Tractor/ATV Cart

This matches the bill for the complete opposite of the dump cart spectrum with the Gorilla at the other end.

Why is that?

Well, you’ll notice that you can put up your dividers or side rails on the Ohio Steel just like Gorilla. Besides that, you can even swivel this up to a hundred degrees for easy maneuvering.

However, its differences are stark and obvious.

Mainly, this dump trailer only has two wheels compared to Gorilla’s four. Now that I think about it, you can probably consider this as the wagon version of the Gorilla.

On a lighter note, though, while Gorilla only has the capacity of 1,200 pounds, the Ohio Steel has half a hundred added onto that count, making it capable of holding 1,250 pounds!

However, you should be aware of its wheels.

More precisely, its bearings, or its lack of one.

Without any wheel bearings, this makes it not ideal for long periods. So if you’re eying this one, then you better have a backup at the ready in case the Ohio Steel needs a break.

But if you still think this dump trailer could work with you, then it’s recommended you have liters of grease set aside to keep it smooth sailing behind your lawnmower.

Now that I mentioned it, your lawnmower should have a unique braking system to stop at a dime, or else you’ll be dragging a dead weight behind you and ruin the dump cart.

How to Choose Dump Carts for Law Mowers

Move to the Left, Move to the Right

Many older carts out there used their great sizes to hold a much bigger load. But it’s also due to this size that they tend to be awkward to maneuver.

As the dump carts in the selection are more aptly called utility carts, their size should complement any lawn tractors in the market.

However, despite roughly having similar measurements, the ease from which they handle their load is a must!

Since only you can tell where exactly you’ll be using the dump cart of your choosing, its frame should be built sturdy while allowing smooth swivels for it to turn whichever direction your chosen lawn mower’s driving towards.

Many dump carts are ideal for this feature: namely, Gorilla and Ohio Steel.

However, while you could swivel the Ohio Steel around, it still has its downsides that can affect its mobility, especially if you usually take a long time out in the yard.

In that case, the Gorilla would be perfect to drive around with your lawnmower due to its four helpful wheels!

Load ‘Em Up!

It is called a “dump cart” for a reason.

So it should be evident that dumping your materials in would mean it needs to hold up quite the weight.

Dirt, soil, rocks, wood; your ideal dump cart should adapt well to whatever you’re loading it up without breaking under its weight.

Having a steel frame would help accommodate any amount you’ll give it. Within its weight limit, of course.

Since steel is known for its durability, it has a capacity of over a thousand pounds, as you can see from the Gorilla and Ohio Steel.

But this does come with disadvantages.

If you’re exposing this wagon to the wonders of nature, then you’ll find the steel affected by rust or corrosions. 

Unless you have it painted by a powder-coat finish to keep that from frequently happening, like the one from Agri-Fab.

On the other hand, high-quality plastic is free from any issues, except it can only hold a weight below a thousand pounds.

But as long as the plastic has a solid steel frame supporting it (the best example would be from Gorilla), then it can hold up to a thousand pounds, no problem!

So, depending on whatever you’re planning to do with your lawnmower, will you be risking the price of greater load-bearing, or do you want to keep your dump cart using maintenance as minimal as possible?

Hook, Line, and Sinker

As your dump cart will work side-by-side with your lawnmower, you need to keep an eye out for its attaching mechanism.

Since most of the dump carts in the selection kept a wheelbarrow-style as their aesthetic, you have them attached to your lawn tractor by using their hitch.

Then, to tip the cart over for its contents, it should have a foot release to make it quick and easy.

But what if your lawn mower’s not available? Or even your lawn tractor?

Maybe because of a broken part, so it’s out of commission in the meantime, but work doesn’t stop, so now you’re stuck with loads of materials to move around.

You can’t do that while dragging your dump cart behind you. That’s bound to be exhausting! And you have to bend a bit to keep everything inside the bed because it only has two wheels, so that’s double the exhaustion!

That’s why having a four-wheeled dump cart is very handy, and the best example of that is the Gorilla.

Because of its four wheels, they can keep the cart stable without needing you to hold it up by the hitch.

It’s also worth mentioning that, instead of merely having a hitch, the Gorilla uses a convertible 2-in-1 handle that you can use to pull along by hand without needing to duck AND adjust it for towing!

Very thoughtful!

Final Thoughts

As summer arrives, combined with what’s happening now in 2022, you have all the time in the world stuck in the home.

What better time to fix your yard up than now?

Once you find the best dump cart for your lawn tractor, the entire experience can be considered pleasant because it makes it easier for you to go back and forth loading up your materials!

What’s more, you can even use your dump cart on some odd jobs for groundskeeping if you’re looking for some extra cash. I bet your client’s going to commend your efficiency for a job well done!

Therefore, you should be thorough in choosing your potential dump cart. Learn to have foresight in your plans to pin down which one will make a great pair with your tractor or mower.

About Tom Reynolds

My name is Tom Reynolds, and I like lawn mowing. When I was a kid, I used to help my dad in cutting grass using a reel mower, now, I have my own 6 different lawn mowers. Keeping my lawn healthy and beautiful gives me satisfaction, and I still enjoy working in my lawn.