This heavy duty vacuum is not as heavy duty as it appears. The handle on this vacuum looks like chrome plated plastic, but it may be metal, since I don't want to break it to see. It allows for good suction and the wheels appear sturdy. The biggest complaint we have with it is that it doesn't have any brushes on it. It picks up loose stuff but doesn't brush and loosen the dirt or anything else that may be hugging the pool sides and bottom. My last cheap manual vacuum from Lowes had brushes and did a much better job. Unfortunately, Lowes manual vacuums didn't have brushes on them the last time I checked.