Creating a Wheelchair Lift Maintenance Schedule
A wheelchair lift is a piece of machinery that just has to work when you need it to.
When a wheelchair lift breaks down, it can completely cut off access from one part of the home to another - a situation that is uncomfortable and sometimes even dangerous.
Lifts are expensive but proper maintenance is the only way to get your money's worth out of the investment.
This guide will help you set up an initial maintenance schedule for your indoor or outdoor lift, whether it is a chair lift, a platform lift, or even a perch-style lift.
Good maintenance doesn't have to be difficult.
Getting the Right Information Do you still have the owner's manual? The owner's manual is a great place to start.
It will list all of the parts that you need to inspect daily, weekly, monthly, and annually - make sure to mark these dates on your calendar.
If you're lucky, the manual may also provide some information on how to maintain some parts of the lift yourself.
If you don't have the owner's manual, call the manufacturer for a new one.
If you don't have the manual, you will need to call the manufacturer anyways because it's important to get their firsthand recommendations of service and maintenance techs in your area.
This is crucial if your wheelchair lift is still under warranty, since most manufacturers refuse to honor a warranty after a non-approved technician opens it up.
Finding the Right Provider Is your wheelchair lift off warranty? Did you buy it used? Maintenance is still just as important as it would be with a brand new lift.
If the original manufacturer has no recommendations as far as service goes, you can contact just about any major mobility company in your area to see about setting up a service schedule.
You might be able to help the process along by finding replacement parts online if the shop fails to locate them.
Most of the time, replacement parts are stored in warehouses long after the lift has been discontinued.
Regardless, you may want to start looking for a newer model to decrease maintenance costs.
Good maintenance will keep your wheelchair lift running safely and quietly.
Every skipped maintenance period damages the machine - there are so many moving parts, lubrication and regular inspections are practically mandatory.
Don't give your wheelchair lift the chance to let you down when you need it most.
When a wheelchair lift breaks down, it can completely cut off access from one part of the home to another - a situation that is uncomfortable and sometimes even dangerous.
Lifts are expensive but proper maintenance is the only way to get your money's worth out of the investment.
This guide will help you set up an initial maintenance schedule for your indoor or outdoor lift, whether it is a chair lift, a platform lift, or even a perch-style lift.
Good maintenance doesn't have to be difficult.
Getting the Right Information Do you still have the owner's manual? The owner's manual is a great place to start.
It will list all of the parts that you need to inspect daily, weekly, monthly, and annually - make sure to mark these dates on your calendar.
If you're lucky, the manual may also provide some information on how to maintain some parts of the lift yourself.
If you don't have the owner's manual, call the manufacturer for a new one.
If you don't have the manual, you will need to call the manufacturer anyways because it's important to get their firsthand recommendations of service and maintenance techs in your area.
This is crucial if your wheelchair lift is still under warranty, since most manufacturers refuse to honor a warranty after a non-approved technician opens it up.
Finding the Right Provider Is your wheelchair lift off warranty? Did you buy it used? Maintenance is still just as important as it would be with a brand new lift.
If the original manufacturer has no recommendations as far as service goes, you can contact just about any major mobility company in your area to see about setting up a service schedule.
You might be able to help the process along by finding replacement parts online if the shop fails to locate them.
Most of the time, replacement parts are stored in warehouses long after the lift has been discontinued.
Regardless, you may want to start looking for a newer model to decrease maintenance costs.
Good maintenance will keep your wheelchair lift running safely and quietly.
Every skipped maintenance period damages the machine - there are so many moving parts, lubrication and regular inspections are practically mandatory.
Don't give your wheelchair lift the chance to let you down when you need it most.