Allotments 4 All

before I start..it is perfectly OK to make jokes ;D

Ok, so I am resigned to the idea of having a chariot but the regular wheelchair I have is not for me long term, so I am looking into a motorised job.

I kn0w many makes from the Uk won't be available here but some things I need to know and would appreciate your help.  There are some makes here that are the same though. I  have read a lot in the last week and some things make it hard to choose

It has to go in a car,and we currently only have a small one so it needs to fold or come apart.Is this easy and does it make the type of scooter a flimsy one.

Would like it to go over grass, but some only have 1 1/2 inch clearance.

4 wheels or 3, is there much difference, bearing in mind I ain't no lightweight!!

Do MPH matter, not that I am planning on racing but...

Battery life, many say 8 hours,confused here. does that mean from unplugging it when you go out or is it for time when actually moving..eg if I was sitting in a yheatre for 3 hours is the battery still running down, this bit worries me. What is best, I guess the bigger the battery the heavier the scooter.

If by chance the battery does run out, can it be pushed or  are we stuck.

What is the difference to a scooter and a motorised wheelchair.

Now I know these are all questions that I could ask a clerk in a shop but they are selling me something and I would like hands on answers if I can.

Really daft question now... if I am going round a shop with a trolley I often get zapped with static, would this happen if in a scooter.

I would appreciate any help that you can give me, they are very expensive here and I need to get it right first time.

Ok, jokes now... ;D

XX Jeannine

No jokes from me and no advice either as I know nothing about them.
All I do know is my neighbour just turned 70 got one and it has given her freedom. She even got a puppy who has learn't to walk along side to the park or on a lazy day rides in the basket.
She is what I would describe as a Hippy at heart and has had her scooter sprayed bright pink with black and white Zebra print seat cover. She is now living life to the full and is always bombing down the road with a big smile for everyone. Good for you Jeannine, go for it. x

I do not use one myself, but have several friends who do.

I don`t think that motorised wheelchairs generally can be folded, and the weight of combined chair, battery and motor all in one unit would make such an operation difficult.

The scooters which will go into a car generally take apart.  Of necessity they are much lighter than ordinary models, and this translates into small wheels, smaller frame and a smaller battery with a much more limited mileage between charges..  Most of these models are (for example) unable to negotiate an ordinary kerb at the roadside but need to find a ramp.  Because of the small wheels they have very little ground clearance, and are not very stable over rough ground - especially for a heavier person, but are generally perfectly adequate for use in town streets.

In this country the battery stamina is normally expressed in the number of miles between charges, but I think you will find that when expressed in  terms of hours means the number of hours which the scooter could be expected to be working between charges.  If it isn`t in actual use it would be switched off and should not be draining the battery.

Three wheels generally means somewhat less stability than four, which again would be more noticeable to a heavier person than to a lightweight, and particularly on rougher ground.

The larger models are very difficult to push when the battery is exhausted, but those which take apart for transport would normally be less so, although still an effort.

A chair generally would be more stable over awkward ground simply because it has a wider wheelbase, but the small front wheels would reduce its ability to tackle bumps, while a scooter, with much wider tyres would tackle rough ground much more easily.

I hope this is of some assistance, but it is difficult to be more specific without knowing more about your precise requirements.

Thank you that is really helpul. What I need is the best I can get but has to be able to get in the car.I can manage on my pins at home but outside is becoming increasingly difficult, I say over grass as I would like to keep going to the lottie, although I guess I could use the push one for just that.It is a very long walk from the car to the plot so can only go on really good days, which are getting fewer.

You have convinced me about 4 wheels, it makes sense too, wonder why they even bother with three, maybe they do circles better. The kerbside bit too, I never would have thought about that.

Thank you again, really helpful..

Manouche, I am going to be noticed!!

XX Jeannine

Jeannine, I do not own a mobility scooter but I have often borrowed one whilst visiting gardens, malls or supermarkets.  They are usually quite substantial scooters but I managed to tip one over when driving it around Hillier Gardens.  Fortunately I managed to get off it as it began to go over after sinking into several inches of mud. 

A few years ago, before I had knee replacement surgery, I thought about buying one but came to the conclusion that if I got one that would cope with my weight and the terrain in my garden, it would be too heavy to lift into the car, even if it came apart.  For this reason, I decided not to get one as the lighter versions would be a waste of space.

However, a few months back my husband and I visited Garston Woods, an RSPB reserve which was also a bluebell woods.  When we were in the car park, a car pulled in with a small trailer on the back.  I watched in amazement as ramps were put down and a mobility scooter was driven down the ramps.  The scooter was big and sturdy.  It easily coped with the muddy paths in the reserve. 

I took the opportunity to chat to the people as I wanted to know more about the trailer.  It was designed and adapted by the gentleman for his wife who had MS.  I knew then that when I get to the stage of having difficulty walking, that we too would take the route of having a trailer so I could have a substantial scooter which would be capable of taking me along woodland footpaths and into our paddock. 

Jeannine, I would suggest you start by hiring a scooter for a few hours and see how you get on with it.  Do you have Shopmobility in the Canadian towns? 

I imagine a motorised wheelchair would be less versatile than a scooter, especially if you want to get to the allotment. 

picture this if you will,I know I shouldn't laugh but my mum and dad in law, both 90 now both have scooters, Mum, bless her, has never driven anything but a bike before she was married,
When Dad got his expensive scooter, she inherited his old one, much smaller and slower
On the way back from town centre, hers ran out and Dad had to push it, and her, back home with his..I'm surprised she didn't get whiplash
She reckons the taxi drivers who used to take them change their route for a laugh  ;D
I hope you can find a scooter that suits, Jeannine, I'm still struggling on my 2 elbow crutches.As Pauline says, borrow some and have a try  :)

I think shopmobility is here, it sound familiar. If we changed the car we could get a more substantial one a van I think, with a ramp, we could also buy a caravan which I wanted too ;D ;D We might even find a fairly new used one with a ramp in it, but don't really want change my car yet.

When I get closer to what I want I am going to propose that I hire one for a month which I can use and if it suits me I will buy it if they knock the months rental off, I think they would go for it.

Love the mental picture of parents Manics

Actually it would be cheaper to fly to the Uk and buy one there than here,and bring it back on the plane..no charge.

XX Jeannine

 Hello Jeannine, i have a mobility scooter that goes in the car.  I would recomend SHOPRIDER i have my street one & the car one both shopriders  4 wheels i would say , i am no lightweight & they are OK for me.
We always take the battery off the car one & ask someone to help lift it in the car people have been most obliging.
I would hire one for a couple of hours from a shopmobility, to see what you think.  I could not be without mine now.  WE go on holiday shortly & i don`t know how i will manage you cannot hire them in Italy, so i shall probably spend most of my hols in the swimming pool lovely ;D ;D.

My battery i use the car one for about 3hrs shopping  zipping all over , we always put it on charge for 5/6 hours when we come home  i hope you get sorted out with what you want Jeannine.
Regards Maryxx ;D

Thanks Rosebud, sounds good. Why can't you take it with you when you go on holiday.I almost bought one before I left and we checked into it coming with me..no probs other than letting them know on the flight ahead of time.No fees either and I think they said they have them on charge..not certain bout that  but on balance in  my head I seem to think they did.We just brought the regular wheelchair with us in the end,,fool that I am. I think I can get Shoprider, ai will go and take a look XX Jeannine


I am back.. Can you take a look at this for me please Rosebud...Ta

                              http://www.scootercity.ca/index.html

 Jennine there is one there that is identical to mine.GK9 travel scooter.

For my friends who've ALWAYS had to use chairs, it's the other way round Jeannine.
We're planning a vist to NY next year - I'll travel as 'Carer' and without a doubt we'll be dunping Mum's chair there and travelling back with her new Made-In-the US of A - one. The US design and technology is far, far superior to GB and hey! it looks good, too! Imported to the UK is possible and there's no VAT,but Purchase Tax/Import duty here really pushes up the price. Her daughter, the other traveler to the US next year and sometimes wheelchair user, had gifted to her by a local Golf Club a wheelchair last year. The daughter is 12 & had a choice of colours...and the wheels, get this! had that sparkly effect kiddies' trainers have, when she took off??  8m

I'm wondering - do you need a 'pusher' or would you be able to cope with the large wheeled chairs my friends use to propel themselves around? Those come easily dismantled so that they can shuffle themselves from chair into adapted car. For transporting a heavy fixed battery-operated chair, that trailer/low loader is ideal. Other friends whose g/son is a go-cart racer, have one.

XXX Lish 

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8670047/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CHealth+and+personal+care%7C14418350/c_2/3%7C14418350%7CMobility+aids%7C14418351/c_3/4%7Ccat_14418351%7CWheelchairs+and+mobility+scooters%7C14418358.htm


could not walk i was stuck in the house going stir crazy, so i bought this one, it gets me to my plot, i can go shopping in town....i feel free again, its a bit slow but who cares
hope you get one soon, you wont regret it

best regards  jimtheworzel

Jim, that is great, sadly Argos don't deliver this far, but it goes to show there are fold up ones.I appreciate you posting it, and all that long title!! Thank you.More features I can file in my head for when I lock horns with the saleman.

Rosebud, that is the one of the ones I liked best , well there was one other one that would have gone to the top of the list but it didn't come apart. I was hesitating on the one you have because it seemed cheap compared to most others I have seen and I wondered if it would be flimsy. Thanks a lot hun.If you are happy with it I have confidence in that.

Mrs Bucket, I have the big wheel push thing, but need a transportable motorised job. Most I like are too big for my car and really don't want to change it. You jammy thing, fiddling yours  in!! There is no taxes on them in Canada and no taxes or import dutes if I buy one in the US either so will look all around.The shop in the link is just around the corner from me, well it is if I put the right link on..there is one anyway.

Thanks for all the help.

XX Jeannine