Selecting a Power Wheelchair
- Designed for portability and to work in compact or crowded spaces like apartments, cruise ships, stores, etc..
- Disassembled by removing the seat, battery pack and base
- Components are relatively lightweight
- Some lifting involved when moving the heaviest piece
- Folding scooters are very portable easily fitting into vehicle trucks or cargo areas
- Very sturdy and durable, built for everyday use
- Designed with many extra features including faster speeds, longer battery ranges, higher weight capacities and higher ground clearances
- Easy to maneuver and can be used indoor and outdoor
- Available in all drive types; rear-wheel, front-wheel and mid-wheel
- May require a vehicle lift to transport
- Designed for higher weight capacities (300 lbs. to 650 lbs.)
- Very sturdy and durable, built for everyday use
- Available in all drive types; rear-wheel, front-wheel and mid-wheel
- Most models do not disassemble, vehicle lift is required to transport
Drive-Wheel Differences
- Some of the most stable chairs on the market
- Weight is distributed to the back of the chair
- Highest top speeds available
- Have the largest turning radius
- Going up very step hills can cause the chair to lean back on the anit-tip tubes
- The Drive-Wheels are in front of the seat
- Ideal for uneven terrain and up and down hills
- Can climb over small obstacles
- Slower top speeds
- Because most of the chair is behind you it is important to be aware of what is behind you at all times
- The Drive-Wheels are essentially under you
- Center of gravity is just about even with the center of the drive-wheels
- Ideal for maneuvering in small, tight places
- Not ideal for varied or uneven terrain that has steep transitions