If you are in the market for a wheelchair platform lift it can be beneficial to understand the differences between the various types of wheelchair platform lifts before heading out to do your shopping. There are actually four different types of wheelchair platform lifts. In choosing the type of wheelchair platform lift that is right for you, several factors should be taken into consideration; including budget, wheelchair size, location of use and the size/weight of the individual user. The four types of wheelchair platform lifts are under-vehicle, rotary, hoist and platform.

Platform lifts are commonly also known as either folding platform lifts or simply folding lifts. With this type of lift, a frame is mounted on the van and a platform folds out from it. Depending on the type of model that you purchase, the platform lift can be either mounted on the outside or folded along the inside of the van door when the lift is not in use.

If considering this type of lift, you should know that there are some disadvantages to this model, depending on the one that your purchase. If choosing one that mounts on the outside, the most obvious drawback is that the doorway of the van would be blocked when the lift is not in use. This can create a problem if you have additional passengers riding with you. There are some models on the market; however, that have resolved this problem by splitting the lift, which allows passenger access.

Hoist wheelchair lifts actually do not have a platform. Instead they utilize a swing arm that attaches to the frame of the wheelchair and then lowers the wheelchair to the ground, once it has been strapped to the hoist arm.

Rotary lifts resemble a combination between traditional wheelchair platform lifts and hoist lifts due to the fact that it uses a platform that swings out from the van. When not in use the rotary lift style platform rests on the floor of the van. The biggest drawback of this type of wheelchair platform lift is that it does take up floor space inside the van.

The under-vehicle wheelchair platform lift is mounted underneath the van. When needed, the platform rises from beneath the van and then up to the level of the van so that the wheelchair can be rolled right out onto the platform. Controls can be activated to then lower the wheelchair platform lift to ground level. The biggest advantage to this type of lift is that it does not cause any problems by blocking passenger access.

Regardless of which type of wheelchair platform lift that you decide to purchase, you should also be aware that most types of lifts come available with a varying degree of automation. Just a few of the features that may be present on various types of lifts include power locks and completely automated operation.

You should be aware that fully automatic wheelchair platform lifts are usually more expensive, while those that require manual operation are generally less expensive. While cost should certainly be a factor in consideration when selecting a wheelchair platform lift, be sure to take into consideration also whether the person operating the lift will be able to operate a manual lift.