Platform Lift

Posts Tagged ‘cost effective solution’

Advances in personal mobility products including scooters and electric wheelchairs have returned convenience, freedom, and independence to many seniors suffering from limited mobility. These advances, because there are now so many quality choices, have also necessitated a thorough review of options and needs to ensure that the eventual purchase of the mobility product results in the best solution for each individual. The following is a review of both personal mobility products including descriptions as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Mobility Scooters:

These scooters allow for low cost mobility without the psychological weight of being confined to a wheelchair. Options include a variety of styles, colors, designs and upgrades and cover the full spectrum of uses from shopping to navigating uneven terrain.   These scooters come in three different model types:

* Three wheel – These models typically offer better handling in tight quarters and more leg room than other options.
* Four wheel – Built for a bearing weight of up to 500 pounds, these scooters offer more stability and heavy duty mobility than the three wheel mobility scooters.
* Compact scooters – For situations where storage or transportation options are limited, these scooters fold down to allow for placement in smaller areas whether in the house, car, or van.     
Steering and control of electric mobility scooters is usually done via handlebars much like those seen on bicycles and work best for owners that are not suffering from upper body mobility issues. Top speeds average around 8 miles per hour, with higher power models usable on roads, uneven terrain, and up steep hills. Another advantage of these scooters is that transporting them requires only a simple trailer which can easily be attached to the back of a car or van.
Personal mobility scooters are an extremely cost-effective solution toward re-building an individual’s mobility, freedom and independence. Scooters, ranging in price from $1,000 for a basic model to $5,000 for one that is fully loaded, are much lower in price than electric powered wheelchairs.

Electric wheelchairs:
Advances in electric wheelchairs have all but eliminated the old perception of the “loaner chairs” available at airports, shopping malls and amusement parks and replaced it with a personal mobility option loaded with high tech features and capabilities. These chairs come with four to six wheels, easy maneuverability, and programmable joysticks for ease of navigation.

Built for individuals with greater mobility issues, these electric wheelchairs offer durability, stability, and a wide array of seat movement options including motorized stand, tilt, support, and recline functions which can be tailored to individual needs.
Three major drawbacks of electric wheelchairs are that they don’t fold down, their considerable weight, and their cost. The weight and non-foldable nature of the chairs severely limits their use with standard cars, lifts and light duty trailers. These chairs function much better in customized vans where four point tie-downs make for a much safer and stable ride. Cost-wise, electric power wheelchairs are the most expensive type of personal mobility vehicle with prices for upgraded electric wheelchairs going up to around $15,000.
Determining the right personal mobility product comes down to an assessment of needs.

Mobility scooters are work best for people who:

* Do not have upper body mobility issues
* Are using the scooter for relatively brief periods of time
* Will need to transport the scooter in a car

Electric power wheelchairs are probably best suited for those who:
* Need joystick based navigation due to upper body mobility issues
* Need posture support
* Will be in the chair for extended periods of time

Time and safety are two important issues for any warehouse business that involves deliveries. This article identifies three pieces of equipment that will make the task of unloading and loading faster, safer and more efficient.

Mobile Yard Ramps

Not every warehouse is large enough to have a permanent docking area. Rear loading vehicles and standard ISO containers can be unloaded using a pallet truck. However this requires the pallets to be arranged inside the container, allowing the pallet truck access. Often the pallets are stacked high with heavy items making them difficult to move manually in a confined space. It can create a safety risk for those involved.

This is why a mobile yard ramp is ideal. As the name suggests it can be easily moved from one location to the next. The ramp is attached to the back of the container or lorry. A forklift can then be used to remove the goods. Because it can be driven into the back of the container/lorry, unloading takes a fraction of the time that it would with a pallet truck and it creates a safer working environment without the need for manual lifting.

Mobile yard ramps can be rented or purchased. Renting is the best short term solution. Purchasing a mobile yard ramp can be the more cost effective in the long term because of the expense of transporting a yard ramp to its location.

A loading bay specialist can provide the best advice and find the most cost effective solution for your requirements.

Dock Levellers

When there is a difference between the level of the trailer being unloaded and the dock, a dock leveller is the perfect solution. Its height can be adjusted to the height of the vehicle trailer, which allows for fast loading and unloading using a forklift or pallet truck.

Made of a sturdy steel construction, dock levellers incorporate an electro-hydraulic system to enable their height to be adjusted with the push of a button.

Scissor Lifts

When not in use scissor lifts, or table lifts, take up little space in a warehouse. But when fully extended they can reach heights of 18.2 metres (depending on the type).

Scissor lifts work by the criss-crossing supports pushing a flat platform upwards when drawn together. Pallets can be loaded onto a scissor lift platform using a forklift or pallet truck to minimise manual lifting. The goods are then raised on the level platform preventing spillage of liquids or damage to fragile items.

Scissor lifts can either be stationary or mobile. Originally designed as an industrial lift they are increasingly seen in operation in the retail and wholesale environment.

Two additions to a scissor lift, that further minimises manual lifting, includes turntables and tilters. Turntables allow the operator to rotate the loads being lifted. This ideal if the scissor lift is being used in restricted spaces. Tilters allow the platform to be positioned at an angle. It is useful for sliding the goods off the lift so the operator does not risk injury by manoeuvring heavy loads.

These three types of loading bay equipment are suitable for small and large sized businesses. They can be purchased ‘off the shelf’ or made bespoke to suit the working environment. Whatever the loading challenge, the task is made a lot simpler by using mobile yard ramps, dock levellers and scissor lifts.

Stairlifts have been a godsend for quite some time for the elderly and disabled who have mobility problems. For those who have trouble getting around the house, stairlifts are a much more practical and cost-effective solution than moving into a bungalow. The other alternative is home adaptations, which can result in the rather sad situation of your relative being confined to the downstairs of their home.

Crowded stairlift market

Thanks to stairlifts, the elderly and disabled can stay in their own home, where all the surroundings are familiar to them, and which is near to their friends and amenities.

So, having decided that a stair lift is the way forward for your relative, which one is right for their circumstances? Well, the UK stairlifts marketplace is a crowded one. Around a dozen major stairlift manufacturers compete for a growing customer base – more and more of us are elderly, but living longer doesn’t mean that we don’t have problems with our knees.

Before you even speak to a stair lift manufacturer or retailer, we advise talking to anyone you know who has bought a stairlift. Ask them about the benefits they’ve experienced and the drawbacks, if any.

Contact as many reputable companies as you can so you can compare their stairlift products and prices. Remember that reliability and safety are the key factors.

When you’re considering stairlifts, don’t be afraid to grill the sales representative. After all, any sales rep worth his salt should know all his products inside and out. You should be able to talk about your particular staircase, physical problems and budget, and expect sensible answers.

Stairlift warranties

Ask for all the information you can get on the company and its stair lifts. Find out how long they’ve been in business. Make sure that they have full insurance. Can they let you see genuine customer testimonials?

What about once the stairlift is installed? How long will the warranty be for? Can you extend it and if so for how long? What’s included? Some companies will give a lifetime guarantee – but it’s only for certain parts. What about service and support? How quickly will they come out if the stairlift breaks down? Do they use their own stairlift engineers or is the service subcontracted, meaning you might have to wait for your lift to be fixed?

You should also research online about the stairlift companies – look for negative (or positive) comments in forums and in the media. You should also stay clear of cold callers selling you stairlifts and try to take each stair lift for a test ride in the showrooms before you make any decisions.
Selecting the correct stairlift will also mean considering the individual needs of the stairlift user and deciding which features will suit best – not just now, but in the future.

Curved or straight stairlift?

Once you’ve decided on a stairlift manufacturer, you’ll need to get your stairs assessed by a company representative. You should be aware that there are two principal types of stairlift ? straight and curved. Straight stairlifts are intended for stairs that have no bends or half-landings. If your stairs are perfectly straight, you’ll find the cost of this kind of stair lift quite reasonable.

If, however, your stairs have any kind of bend, corner or half-landing, you’ll need a curved stairlift. This is much less straightforward. It means that your stairlift will need to be custom-built for your staircase. This, of course, means that you’d better be sure that you need a stairlift, as it can’t go back to the factory. It means that your stairlift will be much more expensive than a straight one.

One slightly cheaper option if you would like to stick to straight stairlifts but have a curved staircase is two or more runs of straight stair lifts with a bridging platform. This does mean having two lifts, which means paying twice. It also means that you or your relative might be faced with more maintenance costs, as you will have the upkeep of two motors. This does, however, mean that you could enter the reconditioned stairlift market, thereby theoretically reducing your costs.

Stairlift sales rep

These days, you’ll also have a home visit from a stair-lift company representative. When the stairlift sales rep calls round at your relative’s, try to arrange for you or another relative or friend to be there, too. It’s going to be important to remember the information and to ask key questions.

The stairlift-company rep should thoroughly assess the staircase and ask pertinent questions about your relative’s needs, including how easy it is for them to get on and off the stairlift. They should be able to provide a quote in writing for the full cost of the stairlift, including installation.
When the sales rep is in your relative’s home, it’s very easy to feel pressurised. They sound very convincing – but that’s their job. Just because you’ve had a stair-lift assessment doesn’t mean you have to buy. Try to talk to as many stairlift companies as possible before making any decisions.

One great solution is to call an independent retailer like UK Stairlifts, who can give you impartial advice about the right stairlift for your relative’s circumstances.

Reconditioned stair lifts

A reconditioned stair lift is another option to consider. Reconditioned stairlifts have been owned by someone else. With a reconditioned stair lift, both the stairlift and rail have been refurbished. They’re practically as good as new, and will usually give your relative many years of good service.

Buying a reconditioned stair lift is a great option. That’s because most of the lift is brand new. You’ll get a new seat, new rail and a reconditioned engine. This new engine should be good for a few years. For those on a budget, a reconditioned stair lift will mean a saving of around one-third on the price of a new stairlift.

Whenever you see a supplier with reconditioned stairlifts for sale, do ask a lot of questions about the stair lift. At UK Stairlifts, we would advise also not to buy a reconditioned stair lift that’s more than 18 months old, to ensure it’s in tip-top shape. Make sure you get a one-year warranty, too.

Hopefully, you’ll have found this brief introduction to buying stairlifts useful. All the main stairlift manufacturers have comprehensive websites. However, for truly impartial advice based around your or your relative’s circumstances, it might be best to approach an independent retailer, such as UK Stairlifts.

Stairlifts have been a godsend for quite some time for the elderly and disabled who have mobility problems. For those who have trouble getting around the house, stairlifts are a much more practical and cost-effective solution than moving into a bungalow. The other alternative is home adaptations, which can result in the rather sad situation of your relative being confined to the downstairs of their home.

Crowded stairlift market

Thanks to stairlifts, the elderly and disabled can stay in their own home, where all the surroundings are familiar to them, and which is near to their friends and amenities.

So, having decided that a stair lift is the way forward for your relative, which one is right for their circumstances? Well, the UK stairlifts marketplace is a crowded one. Around a dozen major stairlift manufacturers compete for a growing customer base – more and more of us are elderly, but living longer doesn’t mean that we don’t have problems with our knees.

Before you even speak to a stair lift manufacturer or retailer, we advise talking to anyone you know who has bought a stairlift. Ask them about the benefits they’ve experienced and the drawbacks, if any.

Contact as many reputable companies as you can so you can compare their stairlift products and prices. Remember that reliability and safety are the key factors.

When you’re considering stairlifts, don’t be afraid to grill the sales representative. After all, any sales rep worth his salt should know all his products inside and out. You should be able to talk about your particular staircase, physical problems and budget, and expect sensible answers.

Stairlift warranties

Ask for all the information you can get on the company and its stair lifts. Find out how long they’ve been in business. Make sure that they have full insurance. Can they let you see genuine customer testimonials?

What about once the stairlift is installed? How long will the warranty be for? Can you extend it and if so for how long? What’s included? Some companies will give a lifetime guarantee – but it’s only for certain parts. What about service and support? How quickly will they come out if the stairlift breaks down? Do they use their own stairlift engineers or is the service subcontracted, meaning you might have to wait for your lift to be fixed?

You should also research online about the stairlift companies – look for negative (or positive) comments in forums and in the media. You should also stay clear of cold callers selling you stairlifts and try to take each stair lift for a test ride in the showrooms before you make any decisions.
Selecting the correct stairlift will also mean considering the individual needs of the stairlift user and deciding which features will suit best – not just now, but in the future.

Curved or straight stairlift?

Once you’ve decided on a stairlift manufacturer, you’ll need to get your stairs assessed by a company representative. You should be aware that there are two principal types of stairlift ? straight and curved. Straight stairlifts are intended for stairs that have no bends or half-landings. If your stairs are perfectly straight, you’ll find the cost of this kind of stair lift quite reasonable.

If, however, your stairs have any kind of bend, corner or half-landing, you’ll need a curved stairlift. This is much less straightforward. It means that your stairlift will need to be custom-built for your staircase. This, of course, means that you’d better be sure that you need a stairlift, as it can’t go back to the factory. It means that your stairlift will be much more expensive than a straight one.

One slightly cheaper option if you would like to stick to straight stairlifts but have a curved staircase is two or more runs of straight stair lifts with a bridging platform. This does mean having two lifts, which means paying twice. It also means that you or your relative might be faced with more maintenance costs, as you will have the upkeep of two motors. This does, however, mean that you could enter the reconditioned stairlift market, thereby theoretically reducing your costs.

Stairlift sales rep

These days, you’ll also have a home visit from a stair-lift company representative. When the stairlift sales rep calls round at your relative’s, try to arrange for you or another relative or friend to be there, too. It’s going to be important to remember the information and to ask key questions.

The stairlift-company rep should thoroughly assess the staircase and ask pertinent questions about your relative’s needs, including how easy it is for them to get on and off the stairlift. They should be able to provide a quote in writing for the full cost of the stairlift, including installation.
When the sales rep is in your relative’s home, it’s very easy to feel pressurised. They sound very convincing – but that’s their job. Just because you’ve had a stair-lift assessment doesn’t mean you have to buy. Try to talk to as many stairlift companies as possible before making any decisions.

One great solution is to call an independent retailer like UK Stairlifts, who can give you impartial advice about the right stairlift for your relative’s circumstances.

Reconditioned stair lifts

A reconditioned stair lift is another option to consider. Reconditioned stairlifts have been owned by someone else. With a reconditioned stair lift, both the stairlift and rail have been refurbished. They’re practically as good as new, and will usually give your relative many years of good service.

Buying a reconditioned stair lift is a great option. That’s because most of the lift is brand new. You’ll get a new seat, new rail and a reconditioned engine. This new engine should be good for a few years. For those on a budget, a reconditioned stair lift will mean a saving of around one-third on the price of a new stairlift.

Whenever you see a supplier with reconditioned stairlifts for sale, do ask a lot of questions about the stair lift. At UK Stairlifts, we would advise also not to buy a reconditioned stair lift that’s more than 18 months old, to ensure it’s in tip-top shape. Make sure you get a one-year warranty, too.

Hopefully, you’ll have found this brief introduction to buying stairlifts useful. All the main stairlift manufacturers have comprehensive websites. However, for truly impartial advice based around your or your relative’s circumstances, it might be best to approach an independent retailer, such as UK Stairlifts.

Stair lift is a device that makes it possible for a handicapped person to use the staircase without any assistance. They are a great way to help you go up and down the stairs having no hassle as it offers you a smoother and comfortable ride.

Stairlift as a general view is an expensive type of machine. Its price can be very costly and acquiring for one will let you think twice. But since stair lift can help your love ones to access the stairs and reach inclined places with less or even no assistance at all, purchasing this machine can be a cost-effective solution.

The price can be determined in different factors. It is important to consider first the different pricing and compare them to come up with a less expensive yet quality stairway lift.

Type

One way to determine the cost of stairlift is through its type. There are various types of stairlift out in the market today. One type of stair lift is the straight stair lift. Straight staircase lift is the most popular type of residential lifting machine. They come along with straight rails fitted in straight stair treads. The cost is cheap ranging from $2000-$4000 including the installation.

Another type of stairlift is the curved ones. Apparently, curved stair lifts are fitted in curved staircases. Compared to straight staircase lift, bended lifts are more expensive and quite complicated when it comes to installation. One reason for this is that the lift has to be custom-fitted to the design of the stair so obtaining reconditioned curved stairlift can be very impossible.

The cost of a curved lift can be as high as $15000 including the installation that is why others prefer to get along with two separate straight stair lift rather than opting for a curved lift.

Wheelchair platform lift as it sounds is a type of lift that are use to support wheelchair bound person to ascend and descend inclined surfaces. It is commonly used at public and commercial buildings as well as private house buildings. Its price can range from $3900-$7000 depending on the configurations.

Condition

If you want a cheaper stair lift, you can go with used ones. Pre-owned stairlifts are very much helpful when it comes to cost. Their price can range from $500-$2000 including the installation cost. However, careful decision should be made if you are really to buy a reconditioned stair lift. There are some
cases that replacing some of used parts can cost you as what a new one does.

Manufacturer

Stairlift manufacturer also affects the price of the product. Remember that the more popular the manufacturer the costlier the stairlift unit. But there are firms that offer pricing deduction and suggestions, which can help you, come up with a more affordable lift.

The above pricing factors can help you determine and compare stairlift cost, aiding you to come up with a less expensive stair lift. Other factors include the additional features and characteristics and technology built within the machine. More quality features means costly. Company services can also affect the stair lift pricing.