KennardsHire is rolling out a power hand truck nationwide after a successful trial period of the product.

Construction products company Makinex designed the truck to solve a problem that was occurring within the rental industry.

Being able to pick up small plant machinery like generators, plate compactors and compressors, and load them into a variety of customer vehicles such as vans, station wagons and utes with just one person, and without putting strain on the operator’s back, is of uppermost importance within the industry.

Over the past year Kennards Hire has seen first hand how popular the Makinex Powered Hand Truck (PHT) is with its staff resulting in an improvement in measured safety. 12 months ago it undertook a trial of the PHT in 10 stores, after seeing the benefit to its staff and customers it has now gone nationwide.

“I was involved with the trial Kennard’s conducted on the PHT (Onelift) last year during my time at the Alexandria branch. Since we received the new model a few months back I have noticed the unit has improved features as we can now lift an extra 20kg,” says Kennards Hire branch manager James Alessi.

“We use the PHT regularly around the branch lifting brick saws, generators and other small equipment. I used to wake up sore in the mornings with back pain from all the lifting of equipment and I don’t seem to have that problem anymore.”

The PHT is a quick and easy alternative to using a forklift or tailgate loader and can be used anywhere – in workshops, warehouses, factories, depots and hire and rental yards.