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Getting a wheelchair into a car (view report contents)

Using the hoists

How easy to use?

In our trials, most people were able to use all of the hoists tested although some people found this to be a little difficult. Generally you need to be able to stand without much support while you are hooking on and lifting the wheelchair. You also need the use of both hands. A few testers who had limited use of one hand managed to use the hoists, but this was mostly due to exceptional determination.

Using the controls

Most hoists have handheld control units. Some are attached by wires but others are cordless like the remote control on a television. On two-way hoists there is usually a button or pad for ‘up’ and ‘down’. Four-way hoists have controls for ‘in’ and ‘out’ too. Some models have a separate on/off switch. The Brig-Ayd telescopic hoist has one button for loading and one for unloading.

On a few hoists the control is fixed to the hoist’s arm or base, which means you can hold on for support while you are using it – see summaries of each product. The fixed control on the Hodge Mk 1 is mounted on the opposite side of the car to the hoist. Some of our testers preferred this.

Some people with limited dexterity or poor grip found a fixed switch easier to use than a handheld control which was attached by wires. You may be able to fix a handheld control to the car with Velcro and a bit of ingenuity. Some people found wireless controls easier. Most suppliers have a choice of switches and should be able to find something to suit you. If you can, try the control before you buy.

Getting the wheelchair ready

If you have a small car and a hoist for a manual chair, you will have to fold the chair before you lift it. You may also need to remove the footrests and lower the handles.

If you have a powered chair you may have to take off the backrest, armrests and footrests, depending on your chair and the size of the boot or hatch. Scooters may have to be dismantled before they are loaded. However some hoists for powered chairs can lift even large scooters in one go, as long as the boot or hatch is big enough.

Attaching the wheelchair

You swing out the hoist’s arm by hand or, if it is a four-way hoist, use its motor. You then lower the hook by power. There are different ways of attaching the hoist to the wheelchair. Some hoists have open hooks and others use hooks which close - see pictures, below for examples.

various types of switches & hooks
Some switches and hooks – there are many others to choose from


If you have limited grip or dexterity you may find that closed clips are more awkward to use. Open hooks are easier but can come off when the lifting cord is slack. If the hook has a spring, try it out - many of our testers found they needed both hands to attach it and some people caught their fingers.

You need to use both hands for some hoists - one to hold it in the right place to stop the hooks falling loose, and the other to take up the tension with the control unit. This was difficult for some people to do standing if they had poor balance.

Nearly all manufacturers provide a range of hooks so discuss what you need with them before you buy.

Swinging the wheelchair in.

When you have attached the wheelchair you use the up button until the chair is at the right height. With a two-way hoist you push on the arm or the chair to swing it in. On a four-way hoist you use the motor to do this. However, providing you have enough strength and balance, two-way hoists may be just as easy to use because swinging the arms takes very little effort. You need to be careful that the arm doesn’t swing out and hit you. You might find a powered version easier on roads with steep cambers or hills.

If you have difficulty, the Brig-Ayd Telescopic Hoist works in a different way – it extends out of the car horizontally, and is programmed so that you do not need to guide the chair when lifting or lowering it (see photo below). An alternative is the Alfred Bekker Backpacker a wheelchair/scooter platform lift.

Brig-Ayd telescopic Hoist

 

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Report Contents

Introduction
Which type?
Wheelchair hoists

Wheelchair hoist summaries

Rooftop Hoists

Rooftop hoist summaries


Other ways of carrying a wheelchair
Racks and containers
Buying guide

Specialist trailers

Ramps
Finance
Helpful organisations
Mobility Centres
Suppliers