Acorn Stair Lifts

Stair lifts are devices that are made to carry people who suffer from arthritis, are older, or are otherwise mobility challenged use the stairs. Using either a set of batteries, or by plugging directly into the wall, these units are responsible for restoring independence and opening houses back up. They are often called stair chairs because generally a chair is attached to the stairs via an aluminum track. There are some models called perch lifts however, that utilize a small platform instead. A perch lift is usually used for someone who has trouble sitting down because of knee or back problems. One popular manufacturer of stair lifts is Acorn, who makes several models including a perch lift.

Acorn is a family owned company that operates worldwide. Their US headquarter is in Orlando, Florida, and they employ over 800 employees worldwide. Acorn opened their doors in 1992 and began buying and selling new and reconditioned stair lifts. They quickly realized, due to high demand, that they would not be able to continue purchasing stair lifts and reselling them, and maintain their commitment to their customers, so they began manufacturing their own. Over the years Acorn pioneered the battery stair lift, and has continuously brought innovation and remarkable engineering to the field. They currently manufacture more than 30,000 units a year. Acorn has a very strong presence in the United States, the United Kingdom, South America, Europe, and Australia. Their quality and professional workmanship has made them into the powerhouse they are today, and they are the largest independent straight stair lift manufacturer in the world.

One of their stair lifts that has a very distinctive design is the Acorn 140. It allows the rider to stand on the foot rest and travel up and down the stairs. For those suffering from joint problems, this is often much less painful and much more practical than a traditional stair lift. It has a set of handle bars attached to the unit that can be held onto for added support, as well as an additional adjustable handle bar. It also includes a pad to lean against, so it is not necessary to stand straight up, and instead the rider can put their weight on the pad.

This perch lift can support up to 294 ponds. It is battery powered, featuring a constantly recharging battery, that ensures that even if the power goes out, you will be able to use your stair lift. The unit includes 15.2 foot of track, which will accommodate most stair cases. The foot rest folds and helps the Acorn Perch Lift retain its low profile. The controls for the Acorn 140 are designed to be very simple and straight forward to use.

Acorn produces several stair lifts and one of their other popular models is the Acorn SuperGlide. All of their models are designed to be easy to use, require very little maintenance, and to be as safe as possible. They all utilize the best materials available, utilize special safety sensors to ensure that the device is not used unsafely, and are designed to take up as little space as possible.

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The Difference Between Stair Lifts and Vertical Platform Lifts

Going up and down the stairs can be a hard task for many different people that suffer from arthritis, are older, suffer from a muscular disease, or are in a wheelchair. For these individuals it may not be safe or even possible to go up and down the stairs. This can be extremely frustrating because there is a whole section of your house that can not be used. There are several mobility related products on the market today that can help a mobility challenged person conquer the stairs. The most common solution is to install either a vertical platform lift or a stair lift.

A vertical platform lift is similar to a mini-elevator. It installs on the side of the stairs and travels vertically up and down. Vertical platform lifts consist of a platform that varies in size, depending on the model, with a set of handrails or walls attached to the platform. Vertical platform lifts are often referred to as wheelchair lifts. This is because they are made so that a wheelchair, power chair, or mobility scooter can be driven onto the platform. Vertical platform lifts are also used to access areas of different elevations such as a stage or bleachers. A vertical platform lift can only be installed on certain types of stairs. In order to function properly, the vertical platform lift must be able to vertically raise the platform the distance of the steps and access the top landing vertically. This is as opposed to accessing it across horizontal distance of the actual steps. A vertical platform lift is ideal for an outside porch, because most landings on porches have two exposed sides that a vertical platform can use.

A stair lift is also an aid to help people that cannot climb the stairs on their own, but it works differently than a vertical platform lift. Where a vertical platform lift raises the individual vertically in the air, a stair lift is much more similar to an escalator. A stair lift raises a chair or small platform along a track that is bolted to the steps. Residential stair lifts are generally not designed to carry wheelchairs or other mobility vehicles up the stairs. They do, however, have available baskets to help carry belongings up the stairs and they also have a high weight capacity, similar to vertical platform lifts. Stair lifts can be installed inside or outside and no matter how your stair case is designed, there is probably a stair lift that will be able to attach to it. They also are generally less expensive than vertical platform lifts.

Deciding on whether to get a vertical platform lift or a stair lift will depend on several factors. If you need to be able to transport your wheelchair or other mobility vehicle while you are on it than probably a vertical platform lift will be best for you. If you do not need your mobility vehicle and depending on the type of stairs you have then a stair lift may be the best choice. Regardless it is no longer necessary to feel trapped in your own home simply because you can not use the stairs.

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Used Stair Lifts and You

Stair lifts have been around since the early 20^th century. First developed in 1920 by a man whose neighbor could no longer use his stairs, they have evolved into a piece of home medical equipment that helps millions each year. They are in essence a conveyor system that, using a chair or small platform, travel the distance of the stairs on a metal track. Many people are forced to buy a new home or just not use their upstairs when they can no longer use the stairs. A stair lift opens up your house and can save you money and secure your good health.

Like anything it is possible to find used stair lifts in the classified both online and in the newspaper. This can be very unsafe though because you have no way of knowing if the stair lift was used properly or well maintained. All you have is the word of a stranger which in this day in age often isn’t worth very much. They could be trying to dump something on you that is about to break or is not in good working order. Rather than take this chance with your life or that of someone you love, you should buy a stair lift from a reputable dealer.

It is still possible to buy used stair lifts from a dealer and save a good deal of money. The difference, however, between a quality used stair lift from a reputable dealer and that of one you buy from a stranger is enormous. A reputable dealer will be totally refurbish the stair lift before it ever leaves their warehouse and will stand behind their work. It has also been fully tested and inspected. It is for all intensive purposes new and you the consumer save thousands. Rather than take a chance with a stair lift you know nothing about, buy a quality refurbished stair lift from a reputable dealer and relax knowing your family is in good hands.

Where to Buy a Used Stair Lift

When you purchase a product used you often have little recourse if it does not work. This is true of many products like used cars and used power tools, which seldom come with an extended warranty. This means that if anything happens to the product than you must pay for the repairs on your own. When you are considering purchasing a piece of home medical equipment used you have the health and wellbeing of yourself or a person you love to think of as well. Buying used items can be a gamble, but when you buy a used stair lift it doesn’t have to be a gamble at all.A stair lift is a device that moves a chair or small platform along a set of tracks that is attached to the stairs. Stair lifts, or stair chairs as they are often called, can be a very big help to people who have difficulty traversing the stairs in their home. When purchased new stair lifts are incredibly reliable and will provides many years of relatively maintenance free service. There is a large potential for abuse and misuse with these kinds of devices so you want to be incredibly careful when you buy one used, but when you buy one from a reputable dealer you can save money without worrying about the condition of your stair lift.

If you decide you wish to purchase a used stair lift, then there are several things you should look for. It is possible to save a good deal of money this way, but you can’t just buy them from anyone. First ensure that you are purchasing the stair lift from a reputable dealer. If you make the mistake of buying a used stair lift from an individual you have absolutely no assurance that the device was used, maintained, and assembled properly. With a device that carries the great responsibility that a stair lift does, several times a day up and down the stairs, then you do not want to take any chances. A reputable dealer that carries used stair lifts will thoroughly inspect, refurbish, and then test all products before they ever leave their door. In addition to a warranty of at least 6 months, you are guaranteed that your stair lift will be in the same condition as if it was brand new. This guarantee of course only applies to used stair lifts bought from reputable dealers.

When you purchase a used stair lift from a reputable dealer, you are getting a completely refurbished unit that is like a new model. The other great advantage of buying a used stair lift from a reputable dealer is that the dealer will custom fit your stair case with a set of rails. This will save you money and ensure that your stair lift will be a safe addition to your home. When you purchase a used stair lift from an individual there is a good chance you will need to order or cut your own track. This is because everyone’s stair case is a little different, so it is very unlikely that you will find someone who had a stair case that has the same dimensions as yours.

A stair lift is a big investment that has a lot riding on it. Rather than take a chance by buying a used stair lift from a private individual, you should seek a quality distributor of used stair lifts. By finding a reputable dealer you will ensure that your used stair lift is as new as if it had just left the factory.

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