I just spent 10 minutes making one. I built mine just like the one in the link, I had a 16 ft. 2X6 to use and some short stuff for the in 11" blocks between. I nailed some plywood under the lift tray block, and added a diagonal plywood piece under for a shelf support, backed the brace with additional strip of plywood. I'm not following your add a pivot handle suggestion. I only had nails, good for the blocks, but screws would be better for the plywood. For very heavy rounds like the one I tested it on, I think a piece of steel pipe on the lifting end, between the 8'- 2X6 would help in the transition of grip from lifting as you would a wheel barrel, to turning to a pushing grip to tip the round into the truck. I built mine 14" across. Would your handle be on the same configuration as the lift shelf, 90 degrees from the main 2X6 lift arms? That may help in initial lifting, but when you need to push it off into the truck, your arms might not be long enough. This is just something simple and quick, that works., but is pretty close to effortless to lift a 400 pound oak round 33 inches up into the back of my truck
