When To Replace Wheelchair Parts

Wheelchairs are the perfect solution to those with limited mobility or the inability to move on their own. They give freedom to the user and allow them to get around on their own when they might not have other wise been able to do that. They come in a wide range of styles and are available to meet the users needs. They are constructed for people of every size, shape and age. Wheelchairs provide the features that their users need to make their life a full one.

While wheelchairs are definitely the answer to many mobility problems, wheelchair parts are often subject to wear and tear. Many of the parts that are on a wheelchair commonly become worn and may even break.

Batteries are often an item that runs out and needs to be replaced. In some cases, the parts themselves will have individual batteries that are not chargeable. These simply need to be replaced with the correct size of battery when they run out. Other batteries are designed to be charged up on a regular basis. Over time, these batteries may get shorter and shorter charge lives. It is always a good idea to read the manual to make sure you get the most out of the life of your battery by following the battery care instructions. Should your battery begin to have a shorter charge life then it can be replaced.

Other wheelchair parts are also commonly worn and can be carefully replaced. On board battery, chargers commonly become faulty and need to be replaced. The parts of a joystick may become worn and need to be replaced to keep it working optimally. As with many vehicles drive belts, tires and tubes, bearings, and casters will all need to be replaced at some point in time. Then there is the comfort aspect of the wheelchair that is likely to become worn out. These include footrests, leg rests, hand rims, armrests and calf pads. Each of these can be replaced as they become worn.

More important wheelchair parts that may need fixing and replacing from time to time include electric motors, gearboxes and breaks. Often these parts have to be done by a professional to make sure that they are done well and are safe for use. In addition to the wheelchair parts that may need fixing or repairing there are a number of accessories that may need to be taken care of regularly. These can include cushions, baskets and other on board storage, footrest pads and padded footplates.

Taking good care of your wheelchair’s parts is the first step in taking good care of the wheelchair. General maintenance, regular tune-ups, and regular upkeep as well as fixing problems right away will go a long way in keeping a wheelchair working well. As with all major purchases and vehicles care and maintenance will keep it working well and as it should allowing the wheelchair to continue to work for the user long into the future.

Through constant wear and tear due to regular use, there are many different wheelchair parts which need replacement over time. Motorized wheel chairs have many more parts which may need servicing or replacement, excluding the batteries. The parts available for purchase include armrests, back upholstery, seat upholstery, foot rests, anti-trippers, bearing, brakes, calf pads, tires, tubes, wheels and other wheelchair accessories.

The separate parts of the wheelchair can be purchased individually, if your chair breaks or wears out, it will frequently be easy to fix by replacing a part, a much less expensive alternative to replacing the whole wheelchair. Always keep a record of the make and model number of your wheelchair to refer to when making a purchase. If you don’t know where it is, you may be able to find this information on the leg brace under the seat of your current wheelchair.

If you can easily replace part you are looking for, online shopping is a good option. There are various reputed manufacturers such as Jazzy, Quickie, and 1-800-Wheelchairs which provide parts. It is always advisable to order the parts from the manufacturer of your wheelchair to avoid any ambiguity or product mismatching. In the event you will be unable to replace the part on the wheelchair yourself, contact your wheelchair dealer or manufacturer and inquire about how they generally handle repairs and parts replacement.

To prolong the life of the wheelchair and to maintain its safety and comfort features it is always advisable to go in for periodic checks and replace any part which has become worn. Wheels should be inspected regularly for cracks or buckles. Replacement of rear wheels can cost anything from $150 to $600, depending on the size, quality and type of material you select. The caster wheel part (front wheel) wears off more quickly than the rear wheel part. Replacing them costs a lot less sometimes as little as $25. Rotate the wheels of the wheelchair and see if they are free moving. The ball bearing of the wheel might have to be changed if movement is restricted.

These days, finding wheelchair office furniture for the home or business can be difficult or easy, depending on how you think about it. Low-seated roll-out keyboard trays can make it hard to find proper clearance and an ergonomic set-up for a wheelchair user. However, mix and match modular furniture can ensure that you get a great variety of features at the spacing and height that you desire.

When looking for wheelchair office furniture, you’ll want to find something with an adjustable-height desktop surface to provide you with enough clearance for your chair to roll under. You may want to consider a two-level desk surface, so your keyboard can rest at a level as low as possible so you can type comfortably, but your monitor will be on a higher plane, closer to eye level.

As another alternative, you could consider a wall-mount for a flat-screen monitor, which would make a small adjustable-height table all you would need, to give you space for your mouse and keyboard.

When looking for wheelchair office furniture, a wrap-around, L-shaped desk can be very useful for giving you maximum access to papers and tools, without the need to lean far to the side. Avoid desks with high-level shelving which will be hard to reach from a low seat.

Quickie is one of America’s leading wheelchair manufacturers and produces a wide range of wheelchairs to cater to the different needs of people with a disability. Quickie wheelchair parts are also widely available to make sure your wheelchair stays fit and functional through its long working life.

In addition to wheelchairs that meet the typical demands, Quickie also manufactures wheelchairs for users with more specific needs. These include pediatric wheelchairs, positioning chairs, power wheelchairs, rigid wheelchairs and sports wheelchairs. Quickie wheelchair parts are available through various authorized dealers as well as on Internet. The company is reputed for its customer service and quality of products, therefore it would be a good idea to consider the products it offers when shopping for a wheelchair.

The human body keeps on changing in size over time and this could affect the comfort of wheelchair. For example if you gain weight you might feel stifled in your wheelchair’s original upholstery seat.

To ensure proper fit, Quickie offers the True-Fit Program, a one-time parts replacement program that the original owner of the wheelchair may take advantage of within the first 3 years of owning the Quickie wheelchair. On account of a change in size you may request the change-out of many wheelchair parts, including the seat sling, back upholstery, footplates, hangers, back tubes, frame and cross-brace at no extra cost. However, an upgrade to the Heavy Duty Package is not covered. Heavy Duty wheelchairs are a specific range of chairs that are designed for larger people. These chairs have more robust frames that are capable of supporting greater weights without causing structural problems to the wheelchair.

Quickie wheelchairs incorporate the latest in technology to give the user utmost performance. It has designed special wheelchairs for sporting purposes. For example in tennis the direction of the wheelchairs has to be changed suddenly. This puts the player in danger of tripping over. The company has developed a special center of gravity adjustment system, which give these chairs the ultimate in stability and safety. Speaking of facts, Quickie 3D-Tennis wheelchair has been used to win more tennis championships than any other wheeled chair.

There is no doubt that Quickie wheelchairs are among the best and with their special wheelchair parts-replacement program, it’s hard to go wrong with an investment in a Quickie wheelchair.

Wheelchair tires play a very crucial role in the overall riding comfort your wheel chair provides. These tires are made of a gray rubber designed not to leave scuff marks on floors. They possess shock absorbent properties but unfortunately, they wear quickly, puncture easily, and are quite expensive. Black tires similar to bicycle tires, were once the standard for the wheelchair industry but are no longer used as they mark flooring surfaces too readily. The life span of tires for wheelchairs depends on their usage. For a heavy user, the tires might have to be replaced once every 6 months, but usually they last about 1 year. At present these wheel chair tires could cost almost $100 each.

There are two options of tires available for wheelchairs: Pneumatic tires and airless tires. The Pneumatic variety of tires, like bicycle tires, have inflatable tubes in them so they offer a more cushioned ride and can negotiate obstacles better. The disadvantage is, they can be easily punctured by piece of glass lying on the street. Riding on a flat tire can cause damage to the rim of the wheel.

On the other hand, solid rubber airless tires for your wheelchair make for a rougher ride but your tires will never go flat. A recent type of hybrid tire makes use of rubber inserts. In this tire design, the insert is placed inside a pneumatic tire as an alternative to an inflatable tube. The tire doesn’t need to be pumped up with air. But the downside is that chair won’t roll as easily.

To prolong the life of the wheelchair tires it is necessary to make periodic maintenance checks. Keep the tires inflated at the recommended tire pressure provided by the manufacturer. Keeping the tires inflated will increase tire life, decrease rolling resistance, and keep the wheel locks effective. When the tread on the surface of your tires wears out, replace the tires promptly.