Hoists for a Manual Wheelchair
A hoist for a manual wheelchair can be useful for people who have difficulty lifting a folding manual wheelchair into the boot of a car.
Hoists for manual wheelchairs are normally fitted into a corner of the car boot and have a swinging arm. Some models have a two part system where the swinging arm is stored flat on the boot floor when not in use. When required for use, it slides onto the motor unit. Other models have the swinging arm permanently fitted. Some companies will fit a hoist inside the vehicle to lift the wheelchair into the back seat area.
Hoists are electrically operated via a switch. In some models, this is
mounted on the vehicle, on other models the hoist is controlled via a control pad connected by cable to the motor unit, allowing movement of the control pad.
To use the hoist, operate the control switch to lower the cord to a convenient height for attaching the hook to the wheelchair. Depending on your boot size, you may need to remove foot plates and the back rest prior to using the hoist.
Once the hook is attached to the wheelchair, operate the switch to raise the wheelchair to the required height to clear the boot sill.
When it is at the correct height, swing the arm over the boot space to position the hoist ready for lowering the wheelchair into the boot.
Operate the switch to lower the wheelchair into the boot.
When lowered, remove the hook and lift the swinging arm off the motor unit if you have a two piece hoist. You can now close the boot.
You will need to contact hoist manufacturers to find out if their hoist can be fitted to your make and model of vehicle. Prior to the purchase of a hoist it is a good idea to check whether your wheelchair will need to have foot plates removed or the back rest folded, and to consider how easy this may be for you. If you are purchasing a new vehicle, it is important to make sure that the boot area is large enough to accommodate the size of your wheelchair plus hoist.
Points to consider…
• Hoists cannot be fitted to all makes and models of vehicle
• Fitting the hoist will require drilling through the floor pan of the boot which may affect the warranty on new cars; check with your dealer and the hoist manufacturer.
• Stowing the wheelchair in the boot along with the hoist motor unit and swinging arm may leave little room for shopping etc.
• When you change vehicle, it may be possible to transfer your hoist from your old vehicle to your new vehicle; check with the hoist manufacturer.
• If it is very windy you may need to steady the wheelchair as it rises to prevent it knocking against the car body and causing damage.
• It is a good idea to contact the hoist manufacturer to arrange a demonstration of the hoist prior to purchase. You can also have a trial to see how easy you find the process.
• For safety reasons, it is important to secure your wheelchair in the boot of your vehicle.
• An upright wheelchair stowed in the boot may obstruct rearward vision
• The fitting of a hoist in the boot area may affect the accessibility of the spare wheel if stored in the boot.
• This type of hoist is not suitable for rigid frame wheelchairs.
June 2006