It is *not* always easier to pull a heavy object than to push it .
It depends on the direction of the application of the force with respect to the friction or opposing force . If you are pushing down , like in case of hand cart , the vertical component of the applied force is wasted in increasing friction . If you pull the vertical component effectively reduces the weight of the object and thus the friction . So in this case pulling is easier than pushing because the point of application of force is above that of deployment of the effect .
Do observe the ants . They are very small creatures , so everything they transport is generally much larger than their size . So they have to apply the force from down to up . You will see ants always push large objects and do not pull them . In *their* case the vertical component of push effectively reduces the friction .
Beetles also push on objects uphill .
See the two examples below . The vegetable cart is being pushed , while the loaded hand cart is being pulled . Notice the difference in the height at which the force is being applied and the height of the wheels of the respective carts .
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