Getting on/off tractor from wheelchair

[beeforty]

Does your tractors have a ROPS? How about a swivel gantry off the ROPS, that way you can always get on or off and maybe have your chair with you. Just look at Artisan picture and think of the boom attached to the ROPS. Have to be able to lock it to keep from swinging but that is the easy part.

 

[buck12]

You expressed concern over having enough room to get into the seat. Can the fender be reworked to give more room? There is a lot of space on my tractor between the rear wheel and fender.

 

[super55]

Snoiger first off, Like to commend you on your persistence or stubborness to get back to getting some seat time on your tractor. :thumbsup: If life ever hands me a situation where I have to make drastic lifestyle changes I hope I can possess the perseverance and fortitude you do.

Do you still have some movement and control over your legs? The reason I ask is because is it an option to fabricate a lift/swing arm off the ROPS of the tractor than use a small winch and a lift belt to help alleviate the stress on the lower limbs to help facilitate you in the tractor.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

I had back surgery last March that left me a whole lot weaker and a few pounds heavier. Due to the type of surgery and age creeping up on me, I am unable to hoist myself up there anymore. I am in desperate need of some seat time, as watching my wife plow our garden this week just about killed me.

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear about your surgery!.... My heart goes out to you for trying to operate a tractor even though you are in a wheelchair!

I wish you the best and ''really hope'' you can find a way to get on the tractor to get some seat time!!!

I'm thinking of a ramp and platform that would put me about even with the seat height that I could park the tractor next to, then slide over from the chair.

I thought I would run it by you and see if you guys have any ideas or suggestions?

Below is a link that Depmandog posted, and that looks like what you said you was thinking about!!!

If I lived closer to you... I would help build it ''free of charge''!!!

I wish you the best!!!

Bill

Still tractoring - TractorByNet.com

Check out this thread. Similar situation, along with pictures of the ramp that was constructed.

I am sure that I don't have to tell you "if there is a will, there is a way".

Good post Depmandog!!!

That looks like it should work for him!!

Bill

 

[jejeosborne]

I am not sure what your budget is but this looks pretty slick. Maybe simplify it to reduce cost.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFAio6QJib8]HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE TRACTOR - YouTube[/ame]

 

[snoiger01]

You folks are AWESOME!!! I never expected so many great ideas! Just the motivation I needed to make things happen! I really like using the ROPs with some sort of lift mechanism since it affords me the opportunity to get on/off no matter where I may be at the time, and could work with any size tractor. I will design something and let you all know how it works.

 

[tambre]

I am looking forward to seeing what you invent!

 

[SensibleNick]

I'd like to second the gantry from ROPS suggestion, and add another idea to the mix for simplicity.

If you place the main pivot point for a simple swinging arm just over a fender, you should be able to hoist yourself from a position next to a rear wheel, swing over the fender and seat. You could also add a simple handrail up there (mount some front spotlights on it to give it a second use?) to give you control of where you sing to and land... and then lower yourself with feet either side of the steering wheel.

In order to make this a fast and simple thing, you could use a simple 12V ATV winch, and use a "sit harness" (climbing harness with chest strap to keep you upright, or - for even more comfort - a tree-surgery harness), and with the geometry set up neatly, you won't need anything other than that one pivot point. Almost too simple.. especially when you seem like someone who appreciates the benefit of a little challenge here and there

 

[Jim Shooz]

You folks are AWESOME!!! I never expected so many great ideas! Just the motivation I needed to make things happen! I really like using the ROPs with some sort of lift mechanism since it affords me the opportunity to get on/off no matter where I may be at the time, and could work with any size tractor. I will design something and let you all know how it works.

If you're considering an overhead structure you could look at using the tractor's seat to transfer from the wheelchair to the tractor. A couple of locking pins would hold the seat secure on the tractor but releasing them and swinging the winch over drops you down to the chair.

If you watch that video posted by jejeosborne the guy takes 3 butt transfers to get there. You could cut that down to 2. And with the tractor seat pinned and secure the tractor could still be used by anybody else.

 

[TheKid]

I'm not sure if this HF high position motorcycle lift would work with some modifications, but it might offer some ideas for what ever mechanism you come up with.

High Position Motorcycle Lift