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Manual Wheelchairs



A manual wheelchair is powered by hand by either the person sitting in the chair or by someone pushing from behind. These chairs have a pair of large wheels in the back for propelling and two smaller wheels in front for turning. They are, generally, lightweight and fairly easy to manage.

Manual wheelchairs come in two varieties, either folding frame or rigid frame. The folding frame wheelchair does just that — folds up sideways to fit it into the car trunk for transport, or storage. Although these conventional chairs are frequently used, they are heavy and difficult to manage by one person and may not take the constant wear and tear on the moveable joints easily.

Although newer versions of the folding frame chair are lighter than their predecessors, they are still bulky compared to the rigid frame chair. This option has joints that are welded, but with a back that folds down and quick release axles on the wheels for putting in a car or van. These lightweight rigid frame wheelchairs are made of aluminum, weighing in at around ten to twenty pounds (not counting the wheels). They are durable and easy to use.

Standard manual wheelchairs are designed for 250 pound weight. If the user is going to weigh in over that amount, look for a chair that can handle that weight. There are heavy duty chairs that are designed for up to 500 pounds of weight. Before purchasing a manual wheelchair, make sure it is designed for everyday use and will meet your needs. Look for price tags from a couple of hundred dollars to over four thousand dollars.



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