Ram Elevators + Lifts

Although a portable vertical platform lift is not governed by any specific safety code (to our knowledge at the time of writing) they do exist and, in the opinion of RAM, they fill a need for some applications where a permanent solution is not really practical or required. In many cases these applications are indeed for public/ commercial uses rather than private residential uses.

RAM continuously tries to ensure safe use of our products and the following points should be considered when evaluating whether a portable Trus-T-Lift™ is a good fit for your application.

1. A portable unit can only be used in circumstances where the travel height required is less than 52in. We limit it this way as we feel this is an acceptable range to ensure stability with the load  at the elevated position.
2. The minimum travel height a Portable Trus-T-Lift™ can be used for is 24in. This is due to the upper toe plate ramp extension being automatic so that a user can get off easily at the top landing. Standard Trus-T-Lift™ units for permanent installation can have travels as small as 4in.
3. The load you can lift is limited to 550lb capacity. Again, this is for stability and safety even though the portable design contains components that are rated to a working capacity of 750lb and      tested to far more than that.
4. The intended use is for the lift to be move in place for a specific need or event and returned to storage after that use, it is not intended to have the lift sit in one place for an extended period of time.
5. You should not simply be looking for a way to avoid paying for permits, inspections, and other related costs for a commercial lift that will stay in one place for long periods.

Examples of cases where a portable Trus-T-Lift™ makes sense (from our perspective) are:

• School, Church and community center gyms/ stage environments where they have limited space and only expect to use the lift a few times a year and then frequently store it while the space is used for other purposes
• Temporary structures at banquet halls where a stage structure is not a permanent fixture
• Buildings where several locations may be required (still on an infrequent basis) and they do not want to install several lifts but simply roll the portable out of storage to the required location when needed

In Addition, the Portable Trus-T-Lift™ can be equipped with as many safety features as required by any local authority and RAM counsels anyone who is intending to use this lift that they should check with local authorities prior to purchase to ensure they are not going to encounter resistance.

At the end of the day, RAM is sincerely trying to help people with mobility challenges by providing innovative products and we believe the Portable Trus-T-Lift™ represents a good solution to an accessibility problem in some circumstances.

RAM distributes its lift equipment through a variety of channels but the most significant one is our dealer partner network. At the following link you can see where one of our dealer partners has put together a fairly significant list of potential funding sources if you are having challenges both physically and financially.

Many of the sources are Canadian or Alberta specific but you may also be able to find similar sources in your area…especially some of the private Non-Profit societies.

The following two links may be helpful in locating funding:

http://mobilitybasics.ca/canadian-funding

Medichair Funding Link

Alberta Bill 5

If you ever wondered about different options for home lifts the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has a nifty little fact sheet that can help explain some of the options. There are a couple of errors in the information (lifts can go higher than 96in for instance) but it still does a nice summary and gives some very good guidance on a number of points.

Link

We’ve all seen how the interiors of homes often have a period in which they appear to be constructed and this often corresponds with the materials that were available at the time and the tastes of a particular decade.

Stainless steel finishes were quite prevalent for years and we saw the look in everything from dishwashers to elevators. Indeed, my home was constructed in the early 1990’s and oak wood trim is a theme through the house that was used in many homes of that era.

With advancements in materials new finishes are possible and it seems that “white pearl” or “slate” finishes are starting to be advertised as finishes. Are these the new “must have finishes that will define home interiors and possibly elevator interiors for the remainder of this decade?

I suppose we’ll see but if you have thoughts please get in touch and tell us what you think.

By: Graham Kawulka

RAM Launches a New video that shows the drive systems for the Trus-T-Lift home lift.

Many people with mobility challenges need to be careful with which devices they purchase and RAM has always tried to educate and provide as much information to help people make informed decisions.

This video helps those that are looking at purchasing an accessibility lift understand how the RAM drive system works so they are more comfortable with this kind of equipment as they consider how to meet their needs.

http://youtu.be/KHpyx5blPE0

RAM Manufacturing has had an article published in Mobility Management Magazine – October 2013 Edition. This is the first article RAM has authored for the publication and we’re very excited about it. The article relates to power back up systems for mobility devices and the different ways it can be done. Check it out on Mobility Management Magazine’s webpage http://mobilitymgmt.com/Articles/2013/10/01/Lift-Power-Backup-Systems.aspx

RAM has recently released a new video that shows some of the basic features and benefits of our latest Trus-T-Lift 750. This is the latest innovation in accessibility lift design from RAM. The video can be accessed at this link  RAM TTL 750 Video