Those who work with wheelbarrows even if only occasionally, know that moving loads about in this way can be hard work and even cause injury.

This applies particularly when the full barrow is first lifted off the deck (when the back may be used more than the legs) and also when tipping material out of the barrow by lifting the handles high as shown.

My invention is therefore a small lever device, inspired by the centre stands which racing motorcycles use.

This would allow the user to flip the lever down from its storage position, above the rear end of the barrow, onto the ground and stand on the plate, thus raising the handles so as to be reached more easily without bending one’s back (and making best use of body weight).

Such an approach would enable older or less physically able people an extra measure of independence when gardening, for example.

Then, when emptying the barrow, it could be stepped on again, fully, as shown. This would drive the roller forward and lock the barrow safely in position so that the hands could be repositioned to allow the whole system to be thrust forward.

This would be retro-fittable to a wide range of standard barrows and could be manufactured inexpensively from moulded, recycled plastics.