Mobility Info - Canada
All Terrain Scooters
While great strides have been made in improving wheelchair access in urban areas - with dropped kerbs, ramps, lifts and the like – it is still difficult for wheelchair users to gain access to our countryside, beaches, forests and farms. For this reason a number of all-terrain chairs have been developed that go where other wheelchairs do not - over grass, sand, gravel and ice, through muddy puddles and up and down slopes.
Most of these chairs are electrically powered but there are some manual models for those with good upper body strength and other models that can be pushed by a helper. They are ideal for people who live in the countryside yet are useful for anyone who goes on walks or trips to the beach, or who needs one to get around the golf course. All-terrain wheelchairs tend to be quite bulky, with large wheels, to cope with uneven ground and accommodate bigger, longer-lasting batteries. Their size makes them generally unsuitable for use around the house, so they should be seen more as an addition to, rather than a replacement for, an everyday use wheelchair.
Although all-terrain chairs vary greatly in appearance and capabilities, there are features typical to most of them, such as:
- light, non-corrosive stainless steel frames
- fat, pneumatic tyres for shock absorption and castor wheels for tight turns
- adjustable seating, footrests and armrests
- improved suspension and comfortable seats
- the versatility to be customised and have optional accessories fitted. This includes interchangeable wheels for different surfaces, seat adaptations and storage options
- some can be dismantled into smaller components
A popular range of all-terrain wheelchairs is the Fieldmaster series. The Fieldmaster 224 (www.fieldmaster224.co.uk) is a versatile rear-wheel-drive powerchair combining comfort and manoeuvrability. It can be tailored to suit the user’s style and medical needs. The front castors convert to a driven front wheel axle in minutes, giving off-road 4x4 capability. Its safety features include large tyres on light, strong alloy wheels, a roll cage built into the seat and a brake on every motor. It offers great control on gradients; when going downhill, the user has the facility to tilt the seat backwards to remain level and when going uphill, the seat can slide forwards so the chair cannot tip backwards.
The Fieldmaster Junior, for younger users, has a smaller seat with an adjustable headrest, but uses the same chassis as the adult version. As a result, when the child outgrows the Junior model, the child seat can be replaced with an adult seat, removing the necessity to acquire a completely new wheelchair. The joystick can be moved to a bracket behind the seat for attendant control, or a second joystick can be fitted. The Fieldmaster Junior even comes with the option of a satellite tracking device, enabling the parent or carer to locate the child to within 10 metres.
The Fieldmaster Pure is a dedicated 4x4 powerchair, as opposed to the 224 that has the dual street/off road identity thanks to the front wheel conversion. Featuring adjustable arm and leg rests, it is waterproof and can be hosed down to clean.
A rather different animal is the Rural Pursuit Vehicle 4x4 (www.rpv4x4.com) with its flexible design and responsive control system. Designed by two Staffordshire farmers, it is naturally ideal for use on farmland and for pursuits such as fishing, shooting and nature watching.
The user’s own wheelchair is used as the seat, avoiding the need to transfer. The wheelchair reverses onto the RPV4x4 via a hydraulic front platform/access ramp and is securely locked into position; the maximum carrying capacity is 300kg. The vehicle can then be controlled a number of ways – by a joystick located on an arm that can be adjusted to the most comfortable position; via a head-operated chin control; or with a mouth-operated sip and puff air device.
The chassis pivots horizontally and in the middle for a 70 degrees steering range and good balance over uneven ground. The low centre of gravity affords extra safety while the low ground pressure allows the machine to travel over very soft ground. Power comes from a 13hp Honda engine with hydraulic motors mounted at each wheel and the vehicle also features a maintenance-free 12v battery. The RPV4x4 can be accessorized with lighting and storage solutions as well as tow hooks, bars and brackets that can take a trailer, snow plough or ground roller.
There are some all-terrain wheelchairs on the market that are especially suited to use on the beach, although they’re not limited to the sand. The De-Bug (www.beachwheelchair.com) is an all-terrain chair with large front tyres and smaller (but still quite big) rear tyres, giving it the appearance of a moon buggy. The weight capacity is 350lbs and the wheelchair’s width a mere 33.5 inches. The De-Bug features a rear suspension system, lap belt and removable armrests. In addition, it incorporates a recliner/tilt-in-space mechanism. Optional extras include a custom headrest, cushion, chest strap and holders for a fishing rod, a drink or a made-to-measure beach umbrella. Quick release pins allow the beach wheels to be swapped for thinner wheels for use around the pool, making the De-Bug a great choice for holidays.
Similarly, the Landeez all-terrain and beach wheelchair (www.landeez.com) is ideal for trips to the countryside and coast. Its marine-grade stainless steel frame is strong and corrosion resistant while its soft plastic pneumatic tyres allow it to roll easily over sand, snow and gravel. This also makes it easy to push and turn through 360 degrees. As with the De-Bug, the wheels are interchangeable for street or pool wheels and the armrests and leg rests are adjustable.
One of the major selling points of the Landeez is the fact that it can be disassembled in seconds into small components for ease of transportation, with the help of quick release pins. The whole chair can then be placed in a travel bag and weighs only 37lbs. Despite its light weight, it is still strong enough to carry a load of 425lbs. The water resistant nylon seating is removable and washable.
