Installation of Vertical Platform Lifts

Many times, especially in older homes, the stairs leading up to the front door can be pretty steep and narrow. This can make it very hard for those suffering from arthritis and other muscular disabilities to enter their own home and near impossible for those with wheel chairs. Vertical Platform Lifts solve this problem by raising the individual to the top of the stairs.

Vertical Platform Lifts are installed parallel to the stairs and depending on the model often very little actual assembly is required. It is imperative, however, that a smooth, level, and unyielding base is used. The base should be able to support the maximum load capacity of the lift and the lift itself. So if the lift itself weighs 250 lbs and has a capacity of 500lbs then the base must be able to support at least 750 lbs. Always air on the side of caution, but usually a solid deck or concrete deck would be a suitable base. It is also important that the travel wall, the wall below the upper entry point of the elevator, is free of protrusions, fairly smooth, and gaps.


If you are getting the lift because you or someone you love is in a wheel chair than you should have an idea of whether you want the lift to provide adjacent access to your stairs or if it should provide straight through access to your stairs. Adjacent access means you would enter the lift on the ground, turn 45 degrees and exit the lift at the top of the stairs. With straight through access you drive your wheelchair strait onto the lift and once lifted drive straight onto the stairs landing. This is also an important consideration if you are planning to use the lift to help carry household supplies and groceries. It is important to mention this when ordering to ensure that you get a compatible model.

Once you have done a little planning and preparation, the actual install is seamless. Generally it can be done in a few hours, but make sure to fully read the instructions provided by the manufacturer and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most manufacturers have certified installers that can come and set up their equipment. The Vertical Platform Lifts often come fully assembled or with minimal assembly required and plug into a regular 110 volt outlet. Generally the base of the lift is secured to the smooth and level foundation. Make sure to consult your manufacturer’s instructions for specific distances, but depending on the lifting height of the lift, it may be necessary to secure it to the building as well as the ground.

A vertical platform lift can provide many years of dependable service and open up whole new worlds to those in wheelchairs or those who are mobility challenged.

Source: www.articlefeeder.com

Types of Wheelchair Lifts

Buying a wheelchair lift can be a daunting task, especially if you are newly disabled or are purchasing a wheelchair lift for a loved one. There are many types of devices that are referred to as wheelchair lifts but most fall into two broad categories; vertical platform lifts or vehicle lifts.

The most elaborate and expensive type of wheelchair lift is the vertical platform lift. You may have seen this type of wheelchair lift at a commercial building or government office. This type of lift allows the wheelchair user to roll on to a platform and activate a lift mechanism by using controls mounted on the frame. A vertical lift can cost several thousand dollars and requires an expert to install. Additional inspections fees may also be associated with the installation of one of these lifts, depending on local codes and ordinances.

If you are planning on buying a vertical lift, be sure to verify the building codes in your area before laying down the cash. It would also be a good idea to bring in a private contractor to verify that you will be able to safely install the wheelchair lift on your existing structure while still complying with local codes.

Another type of wheelchair lift is the vehicle lift. There are literally hundreds of variations of the vehicle lift. Some types are only for vans with side entry. Other types utilize a boom to lift the chair into the rear cargo area of a smaller mini-van or SUV. The type that you require will depend on not only your needs, but on the type of vehicle that you own.

Most vehicle lifts sold today are of the smaller variety that is primarily used for lifting power wheelchairs or mobility scooters into the trunk of a car or the rear of an SUV. These lifts use a boom or swing-arm to lift the device up and over for easy loading. Then boom itself can be motorized or manually operated and will require a special docking device designed to couple with the specific type or brand of power wheelchair or scooter that you are using.

Now that you have a clear understanding of the types of wheelchair lifts on the market you can now begin searching for a distributor that will be able to meet your needs. More and more consumers are finding that, even with large items such as wheelchair lifts, shopping on line can safe you hundreds of dollars. Often the installation or measurement can also be included, since many on line resellers have nationwide networks of installers.

Source: http://shopformobilitychairs.com/article.cfm/id/226371

Internal vs Hitch Mounted Wheelchair Lifts

The ability to take your mobility scooter or electric wheelchair with you when you travel is essential for many of us. This can be the difference between going on a joy ride and running errands and enjoying the outdoors. There are two standard types of wheelchair lifts: hitch mounted, and internal.

For many a hitch mounted wheelchair lift will be the easiest and best route. These are generally very easily installed and are incredibly reliable. With weight capacities from 100 pounds and up it is very easy to find one that will fit your specific needs. These types of lifts are manually operated, use the vehicle battery, or come with their own rechargeable battery pack.

The other main type of scooter and wheelchair lifts are internal lifts. These assist you in getting your electric wheelchair or mobility scooter into the trunk of your SUV, the back of your van, or by the driver or passenger side door of your van. These models can usually support more weight than a hitch mounted system and are either powered by a rechargeable battery pack or a use the vehicles battery.