Enjoy Your Dump! The 9 Best Dump Carts for Lawn Tractors on the Market

Maintaining a garden or any green space on your property can be hard work – and you’ll need all the help you can get.

Particularly if you have a larger area to cover.

And the most backbreaking chores usually involve having to haul materials, soil, tools, or yard waste from one spot to another.

This is where the best dump carts for lawn tractors can come in handy – the perfect step up from trying to push a wheelbarrow back and forth all day.

Let’s take a look at what’s currently available, so you can have a good dump, and keep your land organized all year round.

The 9 Best Dump Carts for Garden Tractors 2024

John Deere Tow-Behind Poly Utility Cart

Homedepot.com

Our first option should come as no surprise, really, given the fact that it’s made by John Deere – the iconic farming and agriculture machine brand.

They know a thing or two about heavy-duty equipment, and this tow-behind dump cart offers a 17 cubic feet load with a 1000 lbs weight capacity.

Designed to haul everything from firewood to dirt, materials to tools, and pretty much anything else you need, the large tires provide excellent shock absorption and protect your lawn from damage.

Compression-molded for superior strength, it’s built to last and can genuinely take a beating – no matter the job.

And you can check out this article for more John Deere products as they go up against Cub Cadet and Husqvarna in a head-to-head lawn tractor battle.

Pros

Cons

Gorilla Carts GOR10-16 Poly Dump Cart

At first glance, you might think that this poly-bed dump cart is only suitable for pulling by hand – and has no place in a lawn tractor article.

Not so – say Gorilla Carts – the popular manufacturer of quality garden utility trailers that are taking over the duties of the humble wheelbarrow.

This is their super heavy-duty dump cart, capable of a whopping 1500 lbs worth of capacity, with 10 cubic feet of heaped space to load it into.

Best of all, it has a convertible handle, so you can haul it yourself, or attach it to your lawn tractor or other garden machines. There’s a very good chance I’m going to buy one before I’ve even finished this article.

Pros

Cons

Craftsman CMX-GZ-BF-71-24489 Poly Dump Cart

I’ve got a lot of time for Craftsman products – considering I own a few – and so I had no qualms about including this excellent lawn tractor dump cart from the South Carolina-based company.

This is a compact option, capable of carrying up to 10 cubic feet of materials, with a load capacity of 550 lbs. Made with a durable one-piece, poly bed, it’s rust-proof and easy-to-maintain for year-round use.

The 14-inch pneumatic tires can handle any terrain, while the dump-handle is easy-release for time-saving convenience. And the universal hitch will attach to any lawn tractor – so you can be sure it will be compatible with your setup.

Pros

Cons

Ohio Steel Professional Grade Swivel Dump Cart

Homedepot.com

Whether you’re an avid home gardener, farming enthusiast, or you like to get out onto the trails, this versatile professional-grade dump cart has you covered.

Suitable for tractors, ATVs, UTVs, and other vehicles, the innovative hitch design is compatible with whatever you’re driving.

It has a huge 15 cubic feet capacity, with a maximum weight load of 1250 lbs, and the ingenious foot-pedal-activated swivel system allows you to dump a load anywhere within a 100-degree radius.

The cart sits high on 16-inch, commercial-grade ATV wheels with roller bearings, and you have 12-inches of ground clearance with the undercarriage.

It converts from a ball to pin hitch in seconds, and can tackle the most uneven terrain with its super-heavy-duty design.

Pros

Cons

Polar TA 1200 Tandem Trailer

Homedepot.com

Made with a high-density polyethylene body, this Polar tandem trailer can take a huge load capacity of up to 15 cubic feet.

Rated to withstand 1200 lbs as its maximum load weight, with this beast you’ll be able to shift just about anything.

Designed specifically for heavy-duty haulage, the high-impact body won’t rust, corrode, or deteriorate, while the pass-through axle offers unbeatable ground clearance for any terrain.

The tilt and pivot frame allows you to offload your haul anywhere you choose, and it even comes with a tandem walking arm and extra set of tires for use on the highly-rated all-steel frame.

Probably one of the best dump carts for zero turn mowers, you can also check out this review for some of the best commercial ZTMs for those real heavy-duty lawn care jobs.

Pros

Cons

Haul Master Trailer Cart

Here we have a no-frills, compact trailer cart that’s offered at an affordable price point. Designed to haul up to 10 cubic feet of load, it has a 600 lbs weight capacity, and is ideal for transporting yard waste, gravel, fertilizer, and more.

The tilting bed is easy-to-empty, with a quick-release lever that makes depositing the load simple and effective – no matter where you need it.

Large tires just under 16-inches are more than suitable for handling most backyard terrain, and the trailer is ideal for anyone with small to medium-sized gardens to help keep on top of your annual maintenance schedule.

Pros

Cons

AllfitHD Poly Swivel Dump Cart

Homedepot.com

Next up, we have this highly-rated and well-reviewed poly swivel dump cart from AllfitHD. Capable of handling up to 15 cubic feet of heaped material, with a generous 1000 lbs weight capacity, this is surely all you need for your property maintenance needs.

Featuring a foot-pedal dumping mechanism, the cart can swivel through 105-degrees to offer the most convenience when depositing its load, while the 16-inch tires will handle any terrain with ease.

Compatible with most lawn tractors and ATVs (anything with a rear hitch pin) this is a versatile piece of equipment that is tough, durable, and ready to go to work.

Pros

Cons

Husqvarna Steel Swivel Dump Cart

Much like John Deere, Swedish company Husqvarna will need little introduction when it comes to power tools and equipment.

This is their take on a tractor dump cart, and all-steel option that can handle an impressive 16 cubic feet of heaped load, and a 1250 lbs weight capacity.

Made with that all-important powder-coated finish in Husqvarna’s iconic orange livery, it won’t rust or corrode any time soon.

With a 13-gauge steel hitch and 14-gauge steel undercarriage, this is built to last, and even features a locking, swing-out tailgate to use as a workstation.

Pros

Cons

Agri-Fab 45-0101 Utility Tow Behind Dump Cart

We finish with this versatile tow-behind dump cart from Agri-Fab, designed to be compatible with all lawn tractors and ride-on mowers.

Capable of hauling 12 cubic feet of heaped material, and with a 750 lbs maximum weight capacity, it’s just the ticket for anyone who needs a moderately-sized dump cart for their property.

A foot-lever dumping mechanism is installed for convenience, and the all-steel bed and frame is powder-coated for rust and scratch-resistance.

The universal hitch attaches with ease to any brand of tractor, and the 16-inch pneumatic tires are perfect for handling rough terrain.

Aside from all that, it’s one of the most highly-rated lawn tractor dump carts out there.

Pros

Cons

How to Choose the Best Dump Cart for Your Lawn Tractor

Below, you’ll find a handy guide to help you choose the right dump cart for your needs.

Let’s explore the features you should be looking out for.

Why Use a Lawn Tractor Dump Cart?

It’s probably a good idea to think about why you might need a dump cart in the first place.

Of all the garden and farming equipment you can own, a dump cart is arguably the most versatile.

There are hundreds of practical uses for these things, but in the end, the main goal is to simply make life a bit easier.

For example, at the moment, I’m entrenched in a landscaping battle with my backyard, and I’ve been trying to get away with using a second-hand wheelbarrow that can only take four cubic feet of load.

I might as well be knocking my head on a brick wall.

A dump cart – particularly with a large capacity, will be able to haul dirt, sand, compost, topsoil, building materials, tools, firewood, rocks, and just about anything else you need to shift from one place to another.

And it would be over in half the time it usually takes to get the job done.

Aside from that, you can also use one for pulling equipment and materials out on the trails, deer and other game if you’re a hunter, or even trees and bushes when you’re planting new vegetation.

And they beat the hell out of using a backbreaking wheelbarrow – which is a good enough reason for me to be in the market for one.

I wish I’d been able to read my own article before I started the work. #facepalm.

Do I Need a Lawn Tractor?

Most of the products in this review are designed to be pulled by a lawn tractor – with one or two exceptions that can also be pulled by hand.

Check out this article on the different types of lawnmower to see if you should be using a lawn tractor or ride-on mower on your property.

And if you do already have a good lawn tractor, why not check out this review on the best lawn-sweepers on the market?

Perfect for helping you keep your lawn clear of debris and in tip-top condition after a big mowing session.

Type of Load

While you’re mulling over the benefits of using a dump cart, you should also be thinking about what you need to carry in it.

Whatever it is will likely have an effect on the rest of your dump cart choices – including size and weight capacity.

It will also impact your choice on what the cart is made from – read on for more information.

However, we must stress that it is not recommended to use dump carts for carrying people.

Of course, we all know it happens, we all know it’s going to happen, but we just want to get that disclaimer out of the way.

Who are we to suggest other ways of entertaining your screaming grandchildren?

Size

Once you’ve decided that a dump cart is a pretty-much essential piece of yard equipment, its overall size is likely your next important consideration.

Obviously, the larger the cart, the more you’re able to carry.

Under the specifications for each cart, you’ll be able to find out its measurements – and how much it can take in heaped cubic feet.

For lawn tractor dump carts, this is commonly somewhere between 10-25 cubic feet, with most coming in around the 15 cubic feet mark.

A word of caution here, though, as not every manufacturer is entirely honest with how much their trailers can take. Numbers can often be inflated.

Always check the reviews and make sure if a cart says 10 cubic feet – it can carry 10 cubic feet.

Weight Capacity

Now you have the size of the cart figured out, how much weight it can take is your next port of call.

In order to decide this, you should first consider what you’re actually planning on using it for.

Have you been felling trees? Do you need to shift piles of dirt? Perhaps landscaping materials from your local builder’s merchant?

I would always err on the side of caution here and choose the cart with the heaviest weight capacity possible (relative to its size).

You want that extra peace of mind, and not everyone has the time or the will to stand calculating weight estimates in the middle of a job.

Either way, just make sure you never overload your dump cart. The last thing you want is it collapsing on your prized lawn under the weight of a mountain of landscaping stone.

Mobility/Hitch System

A lawn tractor dump cart should be as mobile as possible, with an easy-to-attach hitch system that is universally compatible with any vehicle.

Pin and ball trailer mounts are the two most common, but lawn tractor carts tend to use the pin system as a rule of thumb.

However, you can purchase extra hardware to switch between the two should it ever be necessary, and some trailers come with the option to use both.

Materials

When it comes to what lawn tractor dump carts are made from, you’ve got a choice of two materials, or a combination of each.

Polyethylene and/or steel.

The most common combination is the body of the cart is made from high-strength, heavy-duty polyethylene, while the undercarriage and trailer hitch is made from gauged steel.

All-steel carts are also an option, and steel will always be powder-coated for anti-corrosion properties, and to keep rust away for as long as possible.

So, which do you choose?

Steel will be more durable, is easier to dump, and can withstand colder temperatures without cracking.

However, it is still prone to rust over time, it can dent and scratch easily, and you will need to paint it occasionally – unless you don’t care about its overall appearance and upkeep.

Plastic requires less maintenance, and is more lightweight than steel, which makes it easier to move by hand if required.

However, plastic isn’t the best when it comes to dumping the load as it is often prone to retaining some material in the process.

It can also split in winter, and/or when hauling certain materials.

In the end, it will come down to the who, what, where, when, and how you’re using it – and your own personal preference.

Ground Clearance and Tires

Ground clearance refers to how high off the ground the undercarriage sits. The higher the ground clearance, the more the cart will be suitable for handling tricky, uneven terrain.

If this sounds like something you need, look for dump carts that have a “pass through” ground clearance – which is basically room enough for someone to slide under.

This can also be useful for any maintenance that may be required, but note you should never do this when the trailer is full.

Additionally, a dump cart is only as good as the tires it rides on.

Pneumatic tires are the preferred option, and you should take into consideration their size when it comes to handling your type of terrain.

Dumping Mechanism/Tailgate

If you’re using your tractor dump cart for hauling dirt, wood chips, soil, compost, sand, or other such material, the dumping mechanism will likely be important to you.

Check to see how this actually works on your cart of choice – and how easy it is to operate.

Is it by hand, is it foot operated, or can you use both? Is it safe and practical?

Some carts have a swivel dumping system, where you can rotate the body of the cart to dump it anywhere within a certain number of degrees.

This can be very useful for tight spaces, or anywhere you just want the extra freedom and maneuverability it provides.

And consider if you want your cart to have a tailgate or not. Most poly carts will have a fixed, molded rear, but steel carts usually have a tailgate which can also double as a work surface.

Check to see if the tailgate is fixed or removable – depending on what’s important to your needs.

Assembly

At the end of a hard day of graft, when I realized too late that I should have used a dump cart, I had zero energy to put one together.

As such, ease-of-assembly was an important factor in choosing the right dump cart at that particular moment of time.

But nobody likes spending too long setting up equipment, so make sure the option you go with has clear instructions, and won’t take all day to get it up and running.

And some products even offer a video guide – which is perfect for anyone who prefers a visual, step-by-step reference.

Remember though – not everyone approaches this step in the same way, or is as capable of reading and following instructions as others.

And that’s perfectly fine – just so long as you take your own assembly skill and experience into account when reading reviews and making a purchase.

Cost

Budget is always a consideration when it comes to choosing the right product, and as you can see there’s an extensive variety of price tags with these dump carts.

Always purchase a product you can afford and that you’re actually going to use. It’s better for you – and it’s better for the environment.

Summary

Yard work can be the most backbreaking experience a human can have – especially if you’re not using the right tools to do it.

(I still don’t think my spine is in the right position – so I’m as guilty as anyone.)

The best dump carts for lawn tractors can make a huge difference when it comes to property maintenance, and the general care of your yard and gardens.

Let me know which model you’ve gone for and why.

Happy dumping!