In the July 2010 issue of Mobility Matters, we presented a feature on understanding the many types of wheelchair and scooter lifts available and determining the best lift to meet your individual needs. Wheelchair/scooter lifts are a great way to enhance mobility and freedom for individuals able to transfer from their mobility device – either on their own or with a companion’s aid — into a vehicle seat. Since the time of that article, three additional wheelchair/scooter lifts have been made available, resulting in even more available options for you to use to meet your unique mobility needs.
The new lifts are the Bruno Out-sider Micro Lift, the Bruno Take-Apart Lift, and the VMI Fiorella Platform Lift.
Bruno Out-Sider Micro – Bruno’s Lightest Weight Exterior Vehicle Lift
The Bruno Out-Sider Micro is an easy-to-use product that lifts and stores your unoccupied scooter outside your vehicle, with just the touch of a button. All you need to do is roll your mobility device on the platform, press a button, and let the Out-Sider Micro do rest! The Bruno Out-Sider Micro has an innovative strap system that secures your wheelchair/scooter.
The Bruno Out-Sider Micro is the lightest weight exterior vehicle lift designed to handle today’s popular three-wheel travel scooters! Among the Out-Sider Micro’s many attributes, it:
- Is easy to use and can be operated with one hand!
- Has a low-profile design that minimizes rear vision obstruction
- Has a 145-pound lifting capacity
- Is equipped with a safety latch to prevent unintentional lowering of the lift platform
- Is road- and laboratory-tested by a certified testing facility
- Has a lift that can be powered by either the vehicle’s battery or the optional Bruno Pow’rPac (a self-contained power supply that is charged through the vehicle’s power port)
- Offers “whisper quiet” operation, maximum reliability, and durability
- Features convenient control arm that lets you operate the lift from a safe distance
- Has an ultra-strength strap system to secure the scooter to the platform
- Fits 1.25-inch hitch receiver.
Fits 1.25-inch Hitch Receiver
Bruno Take-Apart Lifts: Handy Lifts Let You Stow Small Scooters in Your Trunk
Bruno has two exceptionally versatile “take-apart lifts” (ASL-325/ASL-350) designed to help store your scooter in vehicles with smaller trunks. All you need to do is connect the lift strap and press a button, and your partially assembled scooter is raised or lowered. After use, your lift easily disassembles.
Space Saver – ASL-325
The Bruno Space Saver (ASL-325) is designed to fit closer to the interior trunk wall of your vehicle, thus providing a tighter “arc” when you manually swing your scooter into or out of the trunk. With this design, scooters can be stored in spaces in that they would not typically otherwise work. In addition, the rotation of the lift arm makes it possible to raise/lower the scooter at the rear or side of the vehicle.
The Space Saver is lightweight – assembly/disassembly can be completed quickly and easily in just three simple steps. The lift can be stored anywhere – either in the trunk or inside the vehicle itself. In addition, an optional exterior hitch mount and/or a tower base installation kit (to enable the Space Saver to be used in more than one vehicle) can also be ordered.
Offset Space Saver – ASL-350
The Bruno Offset Space Saver (ASL-350) features an offset outer arm that allows you to more easily position your partially assembled scooter inside a narrow trunk opening. The Offset Space Saver is ideal for vehicles with smaller trunks that previously could not accommodate a lift system.
The Bruno Offset Space Saver has a low-profile arm with integral controls that allow you to press just one button! You can say goodbye to struggling to raise and/or lower your scooter!
As with the Bruno Space Saver, the Bruno Offset Space Saver lift can be stored anywhere – either in the trunk or inside the vehicle itself. In addition, an optional tower base installation kit is also available for purchase to enable the lift to be used in more than one vehicle.
The Fiorella F500 Platform Lift – A New Innovation from VMI!
VMI recently announced the introduction of the Fiorella F500 lift. Fiorella, based in Italy, has produced platform lifts for personal use for over 15 years. VMI is proud to be the exclusive dealer of their lift in the United States.
The state-of-the-art Fiorella lift combines high-level materials to provide strength, low-weight, compact size, and an aesthetically pleasing design that integrates nicely with vehicle interiors.
For the most part, platform lifts typically have a very industrial look in their design. The Fiorella lift combines function with a visually appealing form.
The Fiorella platform lift offers the following attributes:
- Left or right arm configuration for convenience
- Semi-automatic or fully automatic versions for use by caretakers or independent drivers
- Detachable control unit that can be placed anywhere in the vehicle
- Sensor to prevent the lift from injuring users
- Smooth and quiet operation
- Color-customizable platform covers
- Visual and audible maintenance reminders
- 30-inch usable platform width and 42-inch usable platform length
- 500-pound weight capacity
- Can be installed in the Ford Transit Connect, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, GMC Savana, Ford E-Series, or the Chevrolet Express
- Lift can be installed in the back or the side of a van.*
*Some restrictions/conditions may apply. Please contact a VCI Mobility Professional Sales Consultant to discuss applications/options.
For more information on these and other wheelchair/scooter lifts, please contact a VCI Mobility Professional Sales Consultant.