The Building Blocks For Outdoor Mobility Scooters

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Mobility scooters are designed to assist those who have difficulty walking with the tasks and opportunities associated with daily living. They can be designed for indoor or outdoor use, with some models being middle of the road and designed to accommodate both indoor and outdoor use. However, there are particular construction and user needs that have to be met in order for a mobility scooter to perform outdoors at optimum levels. A good portion of what is necessary for mobility scooters to be more effective and comfortable for the rider outdoors lies within the construction and design of the base unit.
Base units are the bodies of mobility scooters and are often referred to as a platform or base plate. Typically, base units consist of a frame constructed of aluminum, steel or composite materials with a composite or fiberglass floor to support the seat, feet, battery and tiller, also known as the steering column. Base units also include the mobility scooter’s drive train. The mobility scooter’s maneuverability and its suitability for indoor or outdoor use in large part depends upon the characteristics of the base unit such as its turning radius, the size of its wheelbase, its ground clearance, and its overall dimensions.

It is important to evaluate the base for safety features, including its overall stability.  A scooter should not tip easily during sharp turns or while climbing a curb. Anti-tip wheels should be included as part of the frame to help support and stabilize the scooter. Most rear wheel drive mobility scooters are intended to negotiate more rugged terrain and are usually equipped with rear anti-tips to support the scooter on hills.

The drive train is a critical part of the base unit and provides either front or rear wheel drive for the mobility scooter.  Front-wheel drive is usually found on smaller scooters designed primarily to be used indoors or outdoors on flat, paved surfaces.  The motor of the front wheel drive scooter is located over the front wheels and drives only those wheels.  Because of the motor and wheel configuration, front wheel drive mobility scooters usually do not have chains or belts and are powered by smaller motors. The front wheels pull the weight of the rider and the scooter making them less capable of handling steep inclines, climbing curbs and managing rough terrain.

Rear wheel drive mobility scooters are powered by motors connected to the rear axle, either via a chain, a belt, a transaxle unit, or a combination of these components.  Because the mobility scooter is driven by the rear wheels, they push the combined weight of the unit and the rider, rather than pull it like the front wheel drive models.  The combined weight of the rider, the motor, and the batteries over the rear wheels, generally create better traction than that is usually provided by front-wheel drive models.  The increased traction combined with the more powerful motors used on rear-wheel drive scooters results in better climbing ability.  Rear-wheel-drive scooters also have a greater maximum speed, a longer traveling range between battery charges, and a larger rider weight capacity.  These mobility scooters have a wider wheel base and a greater overall length, making some models less maneuverable and unsuitable for indoor use. 

Mobility Scooters Make For Easy Travel

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Mobility scooters make short distance travel easier for someone in need of assistance. Independent travel and daily life become a little easier and enjoyable for the elderly or people with a condition that makes it difficult for them to walk or who may tire easily when walking. For people in need, this motorized scooter not only makes travel easy, it decreases their reliance on others and promotes the continuation of an independent lifestyle. These people may be suffering from the typical symptoms that affect the ability to walk due to the natural process of aging or from a variety of conditions that can make walking challenging and uncomfortable including Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophy.  As long as the rider has some ability to walk a few steps and has adequate upper body strength and dexterity to operate and control the scooter, a mobility scooter can make all kinds of limited travel easy for those once limited to wheelchairs or dependent upon others.

Although manual chairs or walkers also assist those who have difficulty walking, they also put a lot of strain on the upper body, especially the arms and shoulders. Not only can this strain can be eliminated with a mobility scooter, but the individual is much less likely to fall down from a scooter or fall off the seat of the scooter.

Some of the activities those who use a mobility scooter may once again enjoy, even with their afflictions, are exploring shopping malls, department stores, and grocery stores. By alleviating the physical exertion required to walk, a mobility scooter enables the rider to advance through stores and shops without tiring and with the ability to steer their own course. A nice walk down the main street of a village or down a walkway at the park with family and friends need not be missed with the help of a mobility scooter. Sometimes just getting around the house can be difficult, and a mobility scooter can be a valuable source of independence. Those who have difficulty walking but still perform work from a desk at home will find that a mobility scooter serves well as a stationary seat that swivels from side to front to easily accommodate and transport the rider to and from desks, file cabinets and office equipment without absorbing the physical strength needed to walk.

In addition, mobility scooters make travel easy for themselves! The majority of mobility scooters can be disassembled into a few component parts and be stowed easily in the trunk of a car. This makes the mobility scooter especially helpful for outings with friends and family. Breaking down the scooter is not difficult and quite manageable if approached by one or two people with average physical strength and agility.  Mobility scooters can be gasoline powered, but you will find the majority are powered by electricity. Electric mobility scooters will either have one or two batteries. These batteries sit onboard the base platform, which also supports the feet and the seat. The batteries are charged with a standard charger using a standard electrical outlet, making recharging easy-and continued travel enjoyable!

What Are Standing Mobility Scooters?

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By looking at the phrase mobility scooters, many people are able to conclude that the device is an apparatus which is able to move the individual from one location to another, with limited, if any, strain and stress on the body of the individual.  Upon consideration, many people may then go on to realize that they have been able to observe these apparatuses in their every day life, even if they did not realize it at the time.

There are many stores that will offer mobility scooters with baskets attached in order to make shopping at the store easier for individuals that would need that type of support and help.  However, the new phrase that is standing mobility scooters may cause some individuals to pause and reflect on what this could be.  The words standing and mobility would initially seem to contradict themselves, which could be confusing for someone to come to terms with when they are trying to come up with an acceptable conclusion as to what this device could be.  In the end, however, individuals will understand that the words do not contradict each other, but rather that each of the terms refers to something more specific about the scooter in general, and that they in fact merely go on to help describe the scooter in more detail.  The attention to detail helps individuals to more accurately and easily locate and research the types of scooters that would be most applicable to them and their situation.

While some mobility scooters will move the individual from one place to another while they are seated on the scooter, standing mobility scooters provide the same function, but with the individual in a different position.  Instead of sitting, these scooters allow the individual to stand up on them and be transported in this manner and fashion.

There are actually many reasons as to why this type of scooter may be considered to be more attractive to the individual as opposed to the different types of mobility scooters that can be provided to individuals.  Some people do not need to be seated which they move about.  For example, an individual with one broken foot may be able to benefit from using a mobility scooter, but these can be expensive and help the individual to put on some weight as a result of not being as active.  Instead, a standing mobility scooter may be used, enabling the individual to stand up and be more comfortable, but still move around much faster than if they had been on crutches.  In most cases, they are also much less expensive since they are smaller.  In contrast, an individual with two broken feet would not be able to use a standing mobility scooter, simply because then they would have to put pressure on their feet which cannot safely be done when the bones in the feet are broken.  The individual with two broken feet would then be limited to the mobility scooter that allows them to sit down on the scooter and still be moved from one location to another location.

Electric Mobility Scooters And What To Look For

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Electric mobility scooters are designed to assist those who have physical conditions that make walking difficult enjoy the sense of independence and freedom that comes from mobility. When selecting the appropriate make and model of an electric scooter the individual rider’s overall physical condition and personal preferences need to be considered in relation to the basic construction of the scooter.

The basic construction should combine a backrest, seat and foot support to provide a comfortable and stable seating base.  This enables riders to expend their energy on the essential activities, such as operating the vehicle and accomplishing tasks from within the mobility scooter rather than wasting effort trying to maintain a comfortable, upright position. The seat unit should have an anatomically contoured seat base and backrest and be wide enough to accommodate outdoor clothing if necessary. However, it should not be so wide that the user is forced to sit asymmetrically to feel properly supported.  If the seat is too narrow it will become uncomfortable and increase the risk of pressure sores.

Try to choose an electric mobility scooter that has a seat and backrest which can be adjusted to meet individual comfort levels. Additionally, a seat with fold up armrests adds to the comfort of the rider, make transferring on and off the seat easier and will reduce the amount of physical strain on the upper body. A stable seating posture is essential in order to manage the vehicle’s controls which are located on the tiller, or steering column and handlebars.

The tiller is the control and steering mechanism for the mobility scooter and has the controls to drive the scooter forward or in reverse, as well as steering the front wheels. Some tillers feature height and angle adjustability to ensure that the rider can comfortably reach the tiller and therefore has maximum control over the scooter. A console, centrally located on the tiller, has the supplementary controls for lights, indicators, horn and to power the unit on and off. Two hands are typically required to manage the tiller steering component of an electric mobility scooter. Some models can be controlled by only one hand if the model is equipped with one level for acceleration that switches for forward and reverse mode, however operating supplementary controls at the same time as steering can be difficult.

If the intended rider is interested in an electric mobility scooter that will travel as well as provide travel you will want to investigate transportable electric mobility scooters. Transportable mobility scooters can be dismantled for transport and storage. On larger scooters or those intended for rugged outdoor use, you may want to check the weight of the largest individual piece in order to be properly prepared to disassemble as individual components can still be quite heavy. Although a convenient feature, when you consider transporting a mobility scooter you will have to keep in mind that transporting the scooter will require it to be broken down before the next destination, assembled upon arrival, disassembled upon return and once again assembled for use at home. This may not seem very convenient, but when it comes to being able to join family and friends on a special outing or having to choose to not participate due to physical limitations, the break down and set up of the mobility scooter is a more than worthwhile small chore in comparison to the benefits it brings to the rider and their ability to interact independently with family and friends.

Mobility Scooters That Make It In The Fast Lane

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Mobility scooters have made a tremendously positive impact on the ability of those with physical challenges to perform their daily activities and participate in social events.  Although mobility scooters are intended to be of physical assistance and are not manufactured or designed essentially for speed, many experienced riders already know and enjoy the benefits they receive from their mobility scooter, but they may wish they could move just a little bit quicker. There are a few mobility scooters that are faster than others. Fast mobility scooters might be appreciated by those who use their scooter to run local errands or for those who visit parks, golf courses, playgrounds and other outdoor attractions where a good amount of territory is generally covered at a moderate pace throughout the course of the visit.  A fast mobility scooter will allow the user to keep up with friends and family and enjoy many of the same sites.

When we are considering fast as it relates to electric mobility scooters, it is important to note that electric mobility scooters range in power and speed from approximately 5 mph to about 13 mph. The faster models are generally intended for outdoor use as opposed to indoor use, where traveling speed is usually not a very high concern.

As a general guideline, rear wheel drive mobility scooters will tend to be faster than front wheel drive models. Front wheel drive models tend to have a less powerful motor providing power to the front wheel or wheels which pull the rider and the scooter. Whereas a rear wheel drive mobility scooter is driven by the rear wheels which push, as opposed to pull, the combined weight of the scooter and the rider. This motor and wheel configuration also permits the use of a larger motor and therefore distributes more power.

Pride Mobility Products Corporation knows a little bit about speed. This fast growing company was founded in 1986 and has taken the fast track to over $76 million in annual sales! Their brand name is almost synonymous with mobility scooters. Pride Mobility produces a wide variety of mobility scooters that can be used on just about any terrain. Amongst those who have purchased Pride’s brand of mobility scooters are the elderly and disabled including well known celebrities like scientist Stephen Hawking and actor Verne Troyer of ‘Austin Powers’ fame.

Pride Mobility offers a fast mobility scooter introduced as the Wrangler PMV. For approximately $3500 you can be traveling at 10 mph. The Wrangler is a rugged mobility scooter intended for outdoor use. Thirteen inch deep tread tires help to make the Wrangler reliable and fast even on the roughest terrain.  It uses two 100AH batteries and has two motors for ultimate traction. The seven inch ground clearance will help to ensure that you don’t get stuck in a tough spot. The rugged construction of the Pride Mobility Wrangler line of mobility scooters does not compromise the comfort and convenience that are incorporated into all of Pride’s designs. The Wrangler comes standard with a high back seat that is available in your choice of size and color and with flip back arm rests and a head rest for comfort. For those who still enjoy golfing but not the travel on the course, additional options available for the Wrangler include a golf bag holder that will turn your mobility scooter into the ultimate golf cart making the Wrangler a fast, convenient and personalized way to get to the 18th hole!

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Medical Mobility Scooters: An Introduction

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A mobility scooter is similar to an electric scooter or motor scooter in function and construction. However, additional power wheelchair type features and options make mobility scooters an excellent form of transportation for anyone who has good arm strength and upper body balance but needs occasional assistance.

Elderly people, and those who have progressive conditions that challenge their ability to walk, appreciate and benefit from the aid and convenience of a mobility scooter. Users of the mobility scooter can usually walk to some degree, but have greater difficulty with slopes and longer distances.

The first mobility scooter was built in 1968 by a Mr. Alan Thieme in Bridgeport, Michigan. Mr. Thieme created this front wheel drive scooter to assist a family member with multiple sclerosis regain some of their independent mobility.

The basic components of today’s mobility scooters are two rear wheels with a seat above them, a flat area upon which to put the feet that also holds the seat and power source, and a steering column with handlebars to steer either one or two front wheels. There are gasoline powered mobility scooters, though the majority of those manufactured are electric. The more popular electric mobility scooter runs with one or two batteries on-board the scooter. If you need more power to overcome steep hills and slopes, you will be better served with two batteries which will deliver more power than one. These batteries are charged with a standard charger that connects to a typical electrical outlet.

The steering column, located centrally at the front of the scooter, is referred to as the tiller. The tiller controls forward, reverse and speed controls with finger controls, a thumb paddle or a switch. Mobility scooters are available in front wheel drive or rear wheel drive. In general, front wheel drive mobility scooters will accommodate a rider up to 250 lbs. and are more convenient for indoor use due to their smaller size.  Rear wheel drive mobility scooters can be used indoors and outdoors and will accommodate a weight of up to 350 lbs. There are also heavy duty rear wheel drive mobility scooters, which differs from the regular rear wheel drive mobility scooters in that it can accommodate riders up to 500 lbs.

Because scooters usually have automatic braking, coasting is not an option. You must use the finger, thumb or switch style controls to be in command of all movement.  You will need to press and release the controls gently to gradually increase and decrease speed. There is usually a control that will allow you set the maximum speed for the scooter as well.

A mobility scooter will not be difficult to operate and control as long as you have adequate upper body strength and control and they can be broken down into parts quite easily making them convenient to pack into the trunk of a car for an outing with friends and family. Anyone with systemic or disabling body conditions that is still able to stand and walk a few steps, control the steering tiller and sit in an upright position without torso support will appreciate the assistance of a mobility scooter and the sense of independence it can provide.

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