Residential Vertical Platform Lifts

A vertical platform lift is basically a personal elevator. A platform is utilized that raises and lowers vertically the distance of a set of stairs, or areas of different elevations. In residential settings they are frequently used as a means of traversing those often narrow and treacherous porch steps. This is why you frequently hear them referred to as porch lifts. Regardless of what you call them, they are responsible for helping people from all over the world maintain the same quality of life that they are, and have been, accustomed to.

If you are thinking of purchasing a residential porch lift, there are several factors that should be considered. It is important to first consider the distance that must be spanned. Since a porch lift travels vertically, it is important that there is a suitable landing that can be used at the top of the stairs. It is also important to consider who will be using the vertical platform lift. This is in order to find one that will have the proper weight capacity. Include the weight of any mobility devices that will be used on the vertical platform lift when calculating your weight requirements. This includes mobility scooters, wheelchairs, and electric power chairs. Many people like to use the vertical platform lift with their loved one or their ward, so it is important to include the weight of all people who will be on the porch lift at any given time.

The distance that the porch lift can travel vertically varies by make and model. AmeriGlide, a leading manufacturer of home medical equipment, makes several different models of vertical platform lifts. They are an industry leader and make both residential and commercial platform lifts. One model that is very popular is the AmeriGlide Hercules. The Hercules can support up to 750 pounds, is weather proof, and features an auto-folding ramp. One of the reasons it is so popular is that it comes fully assembled. Installation pretty much involves putting the unit where you want it and securing it to the ground. It has a lifting height of 28 inches, which can be upgraded up to 72 inches.

Another popular model, also manufactured by AmeriGlide, is the Atlas Vertical Platform Lift. It supports 550 pounds and has a lifting height of 96 inches, which can be upgraded to 144 inches. It is weather proof and extremely well made, with a manual override available in case there is a power outage. This unit, in part because of its high standard lifting height and its dependability, is one of the most trusted and used vertical platform lift available today. It can be configured for straight through access, in which the occupant rides straight on and then straight off with out turning or it can be used in an adjacent access configuration.

A vertical platform lift can greatly increase mobility and allow you to retain your independence. For many it opens doors that were otherwise unreachable, both mentally and of course physically. Their modern look is a positive addition to most homes they are designed to work without fail in rain, snow, hail, sleet, and Sundays.

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Vehicle Lifts for Manual Wheelchairs

An often overlooked type of wheelchair lift is those for manual wheelchairs. A manual wheelchair, depending on the model, can generally fit in the trunk or backseat of a car. It can actually be much more convenient to purchase a hitch mounted wheelchair lift. This may seem like overkill, but there are some definite advantages.

By using a hitch mounted wheelchair lift for your manual wheelchair you greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to get your wheelchair out and also to put it up. The other major advantage it eliminates the need to lift your wheelchair off of the ground and into the trunk. Even though the wheelchairs do not weigh anywhere near as much as a mobility scooter or a power chair, they can still weigh in excess of 50 pounds. In addition they are often bulky and clumsy to maneuver.


One very popular model is the Tiny Tote 100. It mounts easily to class I, II, and III hitches and can support up to 100 pounds. It features a simple to use handle, and is very affordable.

Vehicle Wheelchair Lifts

There are several types of wheelchair lifts that help people with mobility related problems retain their independence. Vertical Platform Lifts, or Porch Lifts as they are sometimes called, are mounted on the ground or floor of a building to help people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters access areas of varying elevation. These types of lifts lift both the mobility vehicle and its driver.

Another type of wheelchair lift is the vehicle lift. Vehicle lifts make the transportation of your mobility scooter or power wheelchair possible. Vehicle wheelchair lifts are either mounted internally or externally. External vehicle lifts are usually attached to the hitch and are very simple and straightforward to install. Internal vehicle wheelchair lifts are a little more complicated to install because they mount either in the trunk or the body portion of vans.

One popular manufacturer of vehicle wheelchair lifts is AmeriGlide. They manufacture several different types, but one of their most well received models is the Backpacker Plus. The Backpacker Plus is an internal lift and supports up to 325 pounds. It is a drive on, drive off model, which means to load your mobility scooter or power chair you drive it onto the platform, strap it down, and then lift it up. When it comes time to unload you can drive straight off so you do not have to worry about backing your mobility device off the platform.

Vertical Platform Lifts: The Safe Stair Elevator

For those in a wheelchair one of the most difficult things to do can be to enter and exit our home. Often times the front stairs are much steeper and narrower than the inside steps and this can make it harder or impractical to build a ramp to enter your home. For others it puts too much strain on the body to use a ramp and usually a stair lift won't work with a wheelchair. There is a solution and that solution is vertical platform lifts.

Vertical platform lifts are often referred to as wheelchair lifts. They are in essence an elevator, usually installed outdoors, that raises the individual on a small reinforced steel platform. Most residential units utilize an electric motor to lift the unit using a very efficient gear system called a worm gear. Usually very little maintenance is required, but it is important to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Vertical platform lifts are generally designed to be permanent fixtures in that they should be bolted to a sturdy base made out of concrete or lumber. There are some exceptions to this however. Some units are available that are portable and can be moved very easily and require little installation or setup. The unit is on wheels, but can be securely bolted to a base if they are not going to be moved or depending on the lifting height. These types of units are great for churches, schools, and restaurants.

With certain units it is possible to create a temporary base. This is ideal if you need to quickly set up your new vertical platform lift or if you are about to move to a new home and do not want to install your new vertical platform lift twice. It is imperative that you consult your manufacturer’s installation instructions to see if your unit is compatible with this type of installation, but a temporary installation can be done on certain units by burying two pieces of rough cut lumber in 2 inches of sand or gravel so that the top of the boards are level with the ground. The distances and measurements of the boards will be provided by your manufacturer if this type of installation is possible with your vertical platform lift. Most units should also be secured to the side of the stairs or house if they are lifting a distance greater than 52 inches.

Whether you are purchasing a new vertical platform lift for your self or for a friend or family member it is imperative that you honestly access the expected weight load. If you are going to be using the wheel chair lift with two people than access the max weight that of the heaviest people that could be on the lift at any given time as well as the weight of the wheelchair. Generally most lifts will support at least 500lbs and it is possible to upgrade the lifts so that they hold more weight.

A vertical platform lift is a great investment and can let you establish a normal everyday routine.

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