A typical battery powered mobility scooter is designed to be used by those who have difficulty walking. There are a few different types with various capabilities. The main difference between the types is the number of wheels. They will either have three wheels or four. They can be quite expensive to purchase new but there are always good secondhand ones available to buy and usually they are in pretty good condition since a mobility scooter does not often do that many miles each trip.
The three wheeled mobility scooters are very maneuverable but if they are used carelessly they can have a tendency to tip and even tip right over when making sudden turns or dropping off the edge of a step or kerbstone. The four wheeled mobility scooters tend to be a bit more stable but they still need to be used sensibly and careless use can cause accidents or damage.
Heavier people will need to get a more heavy duty scooter which reduces the ability to use a lightweight scooter that can placed in the trunk of a car. Another thing about the lighter weight scooters is they are not really designed to be able to travel miles and miles without recharging the battery. The larger scooters are more able to travel a distance but they are bigger and heaver which restricts the opportunity to transport them easily. It may be worth investing in a smaller, lightweight scooter for transporting to another location and using for short distances and get a larger scooter for using from home.
It is important to consider storage requirements when purchasing a mobility scooter. Where would you be able to keep it safe and secure? The smaller lightweight machines may be able to sit in your entry hallway but the larger machines might require you to adapt your home to cope with storing them. Your home may require that you install some ramps to enable you to drive right into your property if you plan to store it indoors. It is unlikely you will be able to lift it over any obstructions so ensure there is a clear path to the place you will park it.
Some scooters can be partially dismantled for easier storage but realistically it is unlikely you will want to do this on a regular basis Some of the smaller scooters can almost fold flat to be stored in a closet but most of the weight will be in the battery pack and the frame may be less substantial and rugged
Remember that you will need to recharge the battery so wherever you store your mobility chair you will need access to mains electricity. You need to be able to leave the machine plugged in for long enough to fully charge the battery pack and keep it charged when not in use.
One final point to remember is that if you plan on transporting a mobility scooter in a vehicle and it is one of the heavier models you will need ramps to drive up to get it into the truck you use for transport. When you park the vehicle you must remember to leave enough space to lay out the ramps and drive the mobility scooter out and finally, remember you need to be able to fit the ramps inside your vehicle to take them wherever you go.
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Hello ya’ll,
I have owned several scooters from several brands, I have learned the pro’s and con’s of different companies. One thing stands true though, the independance and freedom owning one of these provides is a blessing. I use mine to travel to the markets, work (4 miles away) yard work etc. I have polio and can limp short distances so I do not need one in my home. I have found the last scooter I will buy. I wish they were more readily available as they are new to the American market but, Landlex mobility scooters are AMAZING. I saw the super Gazelle at the 2010 Abilities Expo in Los angeles. I can not believe the product. In every detail, for all ages this thing is beautiful. I have had such bad bad luck with Pride, I am so disapointed with the lack of qualiy from pride whom dominates our market. I began with an early model legend, moved up to the new legend and then after the same noumerous problems they said for real durability i need to upgrade o their PMV Hurricane model, so I did and what do ya know the same problems again and again. I am ready to move on to a new and hopefully better product. Again I think I found it in the Landlex. If you are in the market for a scooter I suggest you check them out on the web at http://www.landlex.com.