Three Things To Consider When Purchasing A Platform Lift
- If you are in the market for a platform lift, you should know that there is more to think about than just how the lift will get you in and out of the van. You’ll need to think about space necessities, mode of operation and your passengers as well. Below we’ve listed three main concerns that everyone who is considering buying a platform lift should think about.
- The first point to consider for the wheelchair lift is the comfort level of your passengers. If you need the rear of the van to be free so that people can board and exit your vehicle, then you should look for a wheelchair lift that won’t take up a lot of space. Some lifts for wheelchairs mount to the floor of the van, and they would make it difficult for passengers to climb in and out, but others mount to the bottom of the van.
- Your next consideration should be the switches that operate the lift, and whether or not you will be able to operate them. Look for one that is easily accessed by you, and can be controlled with ease. Some people have different abilities to use their hands, feet or other muscles. If possible, look for lift controls that you will be able to manipulate or modify and then use. In addition to the power switch, you should have a manual crank or some other mechanism in the power lift in case of a power shortage.
- Finally, you’ll need to look closely at the platform's edges. These edges will make is impossible for the wheel chair to slide off of the platform when it's lifting. Some edges are higher than others and, depending on your wheelchair, could make it very difficult to get on and off of the wheelchair van lift. In addition, you should look for handrails to hold onto while you get in and off of the wheeled chair lift.