A soft wheelbarrow tire makes loads harder to control and can damage the rim. Checking pressure and the valve before each heavy job takes only a minute and helps reveal a slow leak before the tire fails in use.
Inspect the tire and rim
Remove dirt from the tread and sidewalls. Look for cracks, bulges, embedded objects, a bent rim, and a valve stem that moves when touched. Do not inflate a tire with a damaged sidewall or a loose rim without replacing or repairing it.
Find the correct pressure
Use the pressure printed on the tire or specified by the wheelbarrow manufacturer. Do not substitute the maximum pressure from a different tire. A small tire gauge is more reliable than judging firmness by hand.
Inflate gradually
Use a hand pump or regulated compressor with the correct valve adapter. Add air in short bursts and check the gauge repeatedly. Keep fingers clear of the bead and stop if the tire begins to bulge or the valve leaks.
Test under load
Spin the wheel and confirm it turns without wobble. Roll the empty barrow, then add a light load and check steering before hauling heavier material. Recheck pressure after storage and temperature changes.
A tire that loses air repeatedly may have a puncture, damaged valve, or bead leak. Repair or replace it before the wheelbarrow is used on a slope.