A van wheelchair lift can be an invaluable resource and tool for a passenger or driver who makes use of a wheelchair. It makes the process of loading and unloading a wheelchair much faster and much more simple. It can also alleviate the need for a caregiver to manually transfer a disabled or elderly person into a vehicle.

Two primary types of these devices are the Rotary Lift and the Platform Lift.

The Rotary Wheelchair Lift is also known as the swing lift. It lifts the wheelchair in and out of the van through the use of a hydraulic or electric boom arm. Rotary lifts are less commonly used since they are more cumbersome to hook up and they cannot lift as much weight, approximately 200 pounds. This device will work better for manual wheelchairs rather than motorized wheelchairs.

Platform wheelchair lifts may be automatic or semi-automatic. An automatic lift folds and unfolds with the push of a button that raises or lowers the platform so that the user can get into and out of the van. A semi-automatic lift raises and lowers automatically but does require manual folding and unfolding. Since the Platform wheelchair lift can lift up to 600 pounds, they are the choice for heavy motorized chairs, although they can be used with manual chairs, too.

Before purchasing a van wheelchair lift, you may want to consider the following:

Is the device compatible with the make, model and year of your vehicle?

Are the lift controls easy to operate and understand?

Is the weight rating suitable for your needs?

What are the terms of the warranty and how will the problems be handled if they should arise?

What type of regular maintenance is required to maintain the wheelchair van lift in optimum condition?

How simple is the installation?

These key factors will help you to choose the right van wheelchair lift for you.