Maintenance of wheelchair

Add caption

A wheelchair should be maintained regularly so that it will last a long time and work properly. When chairs break down often, the user's health and safety can be threatened, and the user is less apt to get involved socially. While there are times that a trained professional must do certain maintenance or repair tasks, there are many things that a wheelchair user or their caregiver can do to maximize the chair's lifetime and usefulness. The exact nature of these tasks is partly determined by whether the wheelchairs is manual or electric.

Handicapped wheelchairs lift are a blessing to people with limited mobility because of the best services that they can propose to the mobility challenged people. No wonder that these mechanisms are of great importance for such men or women because people can be transferred easily when they are traveling or moving around in a particular place where they need to raise the stairways. Whatever place they could go such as buildings, hotels, homes, hospitals, shops, or many other public places, they will have a better transportation with suchhandicapped wheelchair lifts.

Wheelchair Maintenance Checklist

It is important that wheelchairs should be checked regularly and serviced by an approved repairer. Each School/Section should also carry out regular maintenance checks to keep their wheelchair in safe working order.

Weekly Checks:

Tyres

The pressure in the tyres should be checked weekly. Use a tyre pressure gauge and pump up to the correct pressure marked on the tyre side.

Check for punctures or weak/cracked tread.

The following should be checked every month:

Wheels

Check they are free spinning. If there is any wobbling the wheel requires repair.

Spokes

Check for loose or broken spokes.

Hand rims

Check for rough or sharp edges.

Brakes

Ensure brakes are tight and functioning correctly.

Check that the brakes and tyres are making contact. An incorrectly inflated tyre will diminish the effectiveness of the braking mechanism. If necessary, pump tyres to correct pressure.

Ensure braking mechanism moves freely. If lubrication is required use silicon spray not oil or grease.

Footrests

Check that all pivot parts move freely. If lubrication is required use silicon spray not oil or grease.

Armrests/legrests

Check for sharp edges.

Push handle grips

Check that they are secure.

Frame

Check for small dents or cracks - these can affect the frame strength.

Dirt should be removed with a damp cloth.

Ball bearings

Unusual noise or excessive wheel wobble usually indicates that the bearings are weak and need replacing.

Maintenance of wheelchair