The invention of a South Cariboo resident has swept across the globe, with orders coming in from dealers established across Europe and in Asia.
Bryant Hollins of Hollins Industries invented the Easy-Motor-Toter, a cart for moving outboard motors easily.
Initially marketed locally, his handy creation is now being sold in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Russia, England, Ireland and Japan, and he has a patent pending.
Anyone who can lift their own small- to medium-sized boat motor can clamp it onto the cart, and the pneumatic tires then allow easy wheeling over rough ground, Hollins says. He adds this means the motor can be easily moved from a parked vehicle to a boat on the shore, or even into the water.
Smaller wheels on the handles facilitate rolling the whole unit onto a pickup truck box, trailer or into the back of virtually any vehicle with a larger cargo space.
Hollins’ innovative design really took off after he discussed it with Pierre Dion of Exeter Forest & Marine in 100 Mile House, who was his first dealer/customer and ordered 10 units in his initial purchase.
“I approached Pierre originally, and he [said] that this might be a good product for him.
“He was the one who suggested we put the wheels on the handlebars to make it easier to roll it, and that became an integral part of the design.”
The Toter is designed for boat motors up to 15- or 20-hp, or approximately 120 pounds, Hollins explains.
“We tested it in the shop up to 3,000 pounds, using the crane scale and loading it down … to test it for rigidity.”
Dion says he thinks the Easy-Motor-Toter is “really slick.”
“The most important thing about this is that, for the people handling engines over 85 pounds, well, this is effortless.
“So, even my wife could actually wheel them over to a boat or something like that, and doesn’t have to lift it up.”
He adds another “really unique” feature is that the Toter’s position leaves no concerns about engine oil getting into the motor itself, making it difficult to start later.
This can be problematic, especially when loading a four-stroke engine horizontally into the back of a vehicle, Dion explains.
“This takes care of all that, it’s sitting at the proper angle, and it’s stored. You don’t damage the engine when it’s in the back of your truck.”
He adds the product “does well” for sales in 100 Mile.
Hollins says the Toter also securely stores the motor in an upright position and is easily moved around in the yard, shed or garage when not in use.
“The tires are narrow enough to go through a standard door, so you can put it inside your house in the basement.
“Even if a tire goes flat, it will still stand up. It’s all these things you have to think about, when you build something and send it around the world.”
His commissioned representative in Sweden, Mattias Brundell, takes care of the Eurasian orders, while Hollins markets in North America.
The inventor notes he came up with the idea after buying a Zodiac with a 15-hp motor from Dion a few years ago, when he was in his mid-sixties.
“After handling it a couple of times, I decided it was too heavy, so this was the result. I’m 69 now, so it’s getting heavier.”
Dion adds the people he sees purchasing Toters are typically in their late-thirties or older.
“Once we get into that age group, I think people are maybe more conscious with safety, and [things] like that.
“Because carrying an engine like this, you can always twist an ankle, or whatever. It’s just a safer way to do it.”
The motor carrier is also making a splash in the United States, with dealer inquiries from Florida and other states leading Hollins to expect it will be one of his biggest markets.
Originally manufactured at the Hollins Industries plant at 94 Mile, he notes that due to the world market demand the bulk of orders are now made in China.
Locally-made units are still available, however, from Hollins at 250-395-2250 or at Exeter Forest & Marine, at a cost of about $200.
For more information, visit the website at www.easy-motor-toter.com or e-mail hollins@easy-motor-toter.com.
