I spent the evening Google'ing for ideas on power wheelchairs, as I'm getting bad enough that gun, car, air shows means I need something to get around besides my legs. I can only stay on my feet for about an hour max, average.
My hands, wrists, elbows, etc are bad enough that crutches and walkers are not gonna be an option.
I had bought one of these at a thrift store for a hundred bucks:
Initially, I was excited. The armrests come off easily, the seat and back come off quickly as a unit, and in fact, the entire unit can be quickly broken down to 1 the batteries, 2 the center structure/ battery rack, 3, the left and right sides with batteries.
This means it will fit in a car trunk AND IN FACT I brought it home in the Dart!!
A photo of the Jazzy 1113 broken down. This all unhooks with latches and push pins, no tools needed, and even the first time, took less than 5 minutes.
I didn't realize what a complete P.O.S. it was until I got to thinking about it
First, the center structure/ battery rack only gives you about an inch 1/2 ground clearance, and I managed to high center the damn thing in the yard no problem. Getting over ANY sort of obstacle is a real PITA
The front wheel drive does not have much traction, as the weight isn't there, it's in the REAR, and the "safety" wheels sticking out in every direction are no help, especially with obstacles. If all you every wanted to do was to run around a perfectly flat gymnasium floor, I'm sure it would be fine.
So I already had one of these, also a thrift store find:
The advantages of this are, MUCH more ground clearance. Lowest point is the motor gearboxes and about the same level of battery cage, about 4". Rear wheel drive is MUCH better than this plethora of stupid mid/ front wheel drive junk, and, it's easier for someone to "handle" the back of it and up/ over or down a curb
DIS advantages are, you cannot fold it or break it apart like the Jazzy. The chair is NOT comfortable, and the back provides no real back support. It is what it is -- a cheap canvas sling with a VERY high new price tag.
So, I bought a SECOND Ranger yesterday for 115 bucks (thrift store, of course) and the plan is to turn it INTO a "break down" model, and in fact I just might use the chair section off the Jazzy on the chassis of the Ranger.
The GOAL is:
I have lightweight aluminum telescoping ramps, which would allow the empty chair to be pushed/ motored up into the trunk IF the chair proper can be removed. This way, I don't HAVE to take my pickup to events If I'd rather or need to take the car.
Now, where in 'ell is that hacksaw?
Then there's this guy, who hates every chair ever made except the one he "built"
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/powerchair.htm