Large Scale Central

How to steer with a solid axle ... (Not Trains)

General Discussion
#1

As some of you may know, my father in law (age 73) was in a serious car crash last week. The folks in the hospital, realizing that he’s only got one arm to work a wheelchair with (he broke his right arm, his right leg, and two bones in his neck, but no nerve damage, etc…) gave him a wheelchair with a straight, solid axle, so that when you roll one wheel, the other rolls too.

But how do you turn such a thing? I tried it out myself, and it’s nearly impossible. Is there some trick I don’t know about? There’s no clutch or release mechanism that I can see.

Of course it’s almost a straight shot to the day room from his room… maybe that’s what they had in mind. He’s already talking about going back to work and (gasp) trying to drive again.

Anyone have any experience with these things?

Matthew (OV)

#2

You kick it up on it’s side.

You never skied?

#3

Matthew ,
my sympathies to your father-in-law , just 4 years older than me , I can see how he would feel .He will be frightened for one thing , won’t admit it , but it’s there . Having a problem with a wheelchair like that is a double whammy , but can give amusement trying to find the solution .
A lot depends on the surface being travelled on . My wheelchair skids like mad on a polished floor , giving endless fun . When I tried the solid axle one , I used to put my walking stick handle down and use it as a chock . A sliippy floor makes this easy . A good gripping surface doesn’t .
My main means of steering was to collide gently with one wheel against a wall to spin in the required direction , that worked some of the time but you have to cover a lot of mileage to get somewhere .
My family eventually put most things within reach and for the others , I had to ask . My wife never managed to push the rigid axle around a corner .
Then I got the independent axle one back and started smashing into things . Mastered that and went electric , which I still use .
Hopefully , your dad in law will never master it , getting well again before he needs to be an expert driver .
Give him my best wishes from "another old crock "
Mike
ps that is no excuse to drive on the wrong side of the road

#4

Thanks Mike. It was a close call… I’m just glad there was no “simple” answer to the chair like, well, of course, it’s got a release lever marked “Pull Lever to Disengage Axle” right there in front of you…" Hopefully, as you say the need for mastery will be obsolete before it arrives…