Wheelchair Lifts: Opening New Doors

If you or someone you love is in a wheelchair or has trouble walking, than it can be very hard to negotiate staircases of any kind. Often, your whole house is handicapped accessible with the exception of the most important part: the front steps. Wheelchair lifts are responsible for guaranteeing that millions of Americans maintain their freedom and independence and retain the ability to enter and exit their home. Wheelchair lifts are very similar to elevators and are often referred to as vertical platform lifts. The term vertical platform lift is actually a very fitting and descriptive name. Wheelchair lifts are in essence a platform that is raised vertically to allow people who cannot climb stairs, or those in wheelchairs, to easily go up and down the stairs. The lift travels the distance from the ground to the top of the stairs vertically at a slow and steady pace.

Wheelchair lifts are capable of lifting over 500 pounds distances of 12 feet or more. 12 feet is actually pretty high for a normal home residence and usually lifts of this distance are found commercially in places such as schools and churches. Many commercial operations will purchase portable units that can be moved without disassembly.

Whether you get a traditional wheelchair lift or one that is portable, it will quickly open up new doors. It can be very hard to not be able to leave your home, or to have to rely on someone to help you down the stairs. These units come with an easy and simple to use keypad, which can be operated by the person using the lift, or by a separate individual.

Quality wheelchair lifts made by a reputable manufacturer will provide many years of service. These units are designed to be weather proof and are very rugged and well built, so they can withstand almost all types of weather conditions. The time is now, regain your independence.

Drive Medical Blue Streak Wheelchair with Flip Back Detachable Desk Arms and Swing-away Foot Rest, Blue, 18"

Product Features

• Flip-back, padded desk length arm
• Comes with a calf strap
• Swingaway footrests
• Solid rubber tires
• Nylon upholstery

Product Description

Blue powder coated frame, black cross brace. Flip back, padded desk length arm. Nylon upholstery is durable, lightweight, attractive and easy to clean. Solid rubber tires mounted on composite wheel provides durability and low maintenance. Comes with push to lock brakes. Comes with calf strap. Swing away footrests with plastic footplates come standard.

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Wheelchair Stair Lifts For Your Home

When people have the use of their legs, running, walking, climbing up stairs, and having access to all parts of their home is something that one does not even think about. But for those who are in a wheelchair, either due to old age or a medical condition, all these activities become practically impossible. While a wheelchair can give you your mobility back, the mobility so achieved is quite restricted. Climbing stairs with your wheelchair, putting the wheelchair into your vehicle, and gaining access to multi-level spaces can be quite a task. But thankfully, with the invention of wheelchair lifts, you can now achieve complete mobility in spite of being in a wheelchair.

A wheelchair lift is a device that lifts a wheelchair onto places that would have otherwise been inaccessible with a wheelchair. Some such places are staircases, raised platforms, vehicles, stages, bleachers, etc. Thus, by using a wheelchair lift, you need not have to depend on someone to help you to lift your wheelchair onto such places.

Electric and Hydraulic Wheelchair Lift Technologies

When it comes to the operating technology behind wheelchair lifts, these devices can be classified into the following two categories:

1. Electric wheelchair lifts: One which runs on electricity. However, these lifts can also be run on batteries so that in the event of there being an interruption in your power supply, you need not be left stranded.
2. Hydraulic wheelchair lifts: These are not powered by electricity but instead make the use of hydraulics motions for the operation of the wheelchair lift. They are usually more expensive than electric models because of the complexities of the hydraulics systems. However, such chair lifts afford a smoother ride than electric powered lifts as they have the ability to absorb and adapt to any speed fluctuations and changes in the level of the surface.

   Types of Wheelchair Lifts

   There are many types available in the markets, depending on what you need to gain access to. These include:

   1. Wheelchair van lifts: Such lifts make it very easy to put your wheelchair into your vehicle. So, if leaving your home was a problem because you couldn’t take your wheelchair with you, a wheelchair van lift will help solve this problem easily and simply!
   2. Wheelchair lifts: Most people in wheelchairs are relegated to the ground floor of their homes as it is very difficult to take their wheelchair up and down long flights of stairs. But with a wheelchair stair lift, you can now have the run of your entire home!

   In addition to these two types of lifts which are the most common, other kinds of include wheelchair platform lifts, portable wheelchair lifts, and vertical Wheelchair lifts.

   Buying A Wheelchair Lift

   When buying a wheelchair lift, it is imperative that you select a quality product so as to get maximum mobility while not compromising on safety. You can ensure this by buying one of the many reputed brands some of which are Ricon, Braun, Ascension, Pollock lifts, etc.

Power Medicial WheelChair Mobility Carrier Rack Ramp

Product Features

• Durable black powder coated finish;Weight of ramp (gate) 16 lbs .easy to lift.
• Heavy duty steel construction;Weight Capacity of Ramp: Up to 400 lbs
• Heavy duty folding hitch makes our carrier more rigid and stronger.
• Folding ramp can also be locked flat when not in use.
• Total length of ramp when expended is 42 1/4 inch;Total weight of carrier 75 Lbs.

Product Description

Heavy duty steel construction - Durable black powder coated finish - Platform dimension : 28 X 48 inch - Total length of ramp when expended is 42 1/4 inch - Total weight of carrier 75 Lbs. - Weight of ramp (gate) 16 lbs .easy to lift. - Weight Capacity of Ramp: Up to 400 lbs - has a 3 inch safety rail - Fits all 2" Receiver, hitch class III or IV - Folding ramp can also be locked flat when not in use. - Heavy duty folding hitch makes our carrier more rigid and stronger. - Folding ramp is easily locked upright with double - heavy duty internal spring loaded pull locks.

400 lb. Capacity Power Scooter and Wheelchair Folding Cargo Carrier Rack

Product Features

• Requires a 2" Class III/IV hitch receiver
• Integrated loading ramp locks into place with (2) spring pull pins
• Large 47" x 28" platform with multiple tie-down points to secure cargo
• Includes an anti-tilt/wobble hitch collar
• Heavy duty black powder coat steel construction with a reinforced mesh deck

Product Description

SC400 Power Scooter Hitch Mounted Medical and Wheelchair Rack is a quick, simple, safe, and affordable means for transporting scooters or wheelchairs. The rack surface is 47" long X 28" wide, providing enough space for most of today's mobility devices. 3" high side rails feature 11 different tie down points for securing the power wheelchair or scooter to the rack. Folds up when not in use, and with a 400 lb capacity, the SC400 can quickly attach to most 2" Class III or IV hitch receivers. Carrier Carrying Capacity: The SC400 carrier is designed to safely carry 400 lbs Hitch Weigh Limit: Most Class III hitches are rated for 500 lbs Most Class IV hitches are rated for 1000 lbs Vehicle Hauling Capacity: Your hauling weight may be limited by your vehicle's capacity to carry a load Will not work with class II or smaller receivers Some vehicles may require air shocks or heavier springs to stiffen up the suspension to prevent sagging Please check with your dealer to find out if your vehicle's carrying capacity NOT recommended for tow-behind trailers including 5th wheel trailers & camping trailers NOT recommended for use with hitch adapters / extensions Maximum scooter or wheelchair width is 27" wide