Stair-Climbing Wheelchairs: Wheeled vs Tracked – Which One Suits You?

Stair-climbing wheelchairs come in different styles, capabilities, functionalities, and pricing. Again, while some need a helper to pull the stair climber wheelchair up stairs, others are fully autonomous. It’s these differences that make it challenging to choose the right stair wheelchair.

The common types of stair climbing wheelchairs are the wheeled stair climbing wheelchair and the trucked stair climbing wheelchair. The wheeled is either electric or manual, while the trucked is either manual or automatic.

Let’s now discuss the two types of wheelchairs that go up stairs in detail.

2 Types of Stair-Climbing Wheelchairs 

Mobility-challenged people want to feel independent. A review by the National Library of Medicine established that while some stair-climbing wheelchairs can overcome environmental barriers such as stairs, uneven terrain, and curbs, they are not equally effective on flat surfaces due to design trade-offs, except for XSTO X12 and a few other designs.

So, whether you are looking for a stair wheelchair that can go up narrow, curved, or straight stairs or independently up and down stairs, there’s one for you.

Type 1: Wheeled Stair-Climbing Wheelchairs

As the name suggests, wheeled stair climbing wheelchairs are designed to use the mounted wheels when pulled up stairs. They are relatively cheaper compared to the trucked stair-climbing wheelchair.

The wheeled stair-climbing wheelchairs enable the disabled to be wheeled manually up and down stairs. They can be used on indoor and outdoor stairs, but with the help of a caregiver. In the markets today, you can purchase either electric or manual. However, they all need a carrier.

Among the unique features of this stair-climbing chair is the wheel configuration. The triangular rear wheel configuration gives the wheelchair a firm grip on every stair as it’s pulled up and down the stairs. Comfort and stability are key features given priority in this wheelchair.

Features

To make the right choice when buying any wheelchair that climbs stairs, knowing these wheelchair features is critical. Whereas the wheeled and tracked have some similarities, their operation mode, technology integrated, and mobility mode are different.

Here are the features:

a) Triangular wheel configuration

The three rear wheels adapt to the stair steps as each wheel steps to the next stair step, thus giving the wheelchair a smooth ascending and descending continuity. Some wheels have intelligent sensors that detect the stair steps, making them adapt to different staircase designs.

b) Safety systems

To make the disabled or elderly feel secure when wheeled up and down stairs, wheel stair climbing wheelchairs are equipped with multiple safety measures. These include:

1. Safety belt - Safety belts on stair wheelchairs safely secure the user to the safe seating position.
2. Anti-tip protection - The anti-tipping protection system prevents the wheelchair from tipping over and leaving the user with more injuries.

iii. Braking system - To ensure the stair wheelchair rolls down every stair step slowly, wheeled stair climbing wheelchairs have a strong braking system for optimal safety.

Advantages of Using a Wheeled Stair Climbing Wheelchair

• Easy to operate.
• Strong frame structure.
• Lightweight and hence portable.
• Compact designs thus occupy a small space.

Disadvantages of Using a Wheeled Stair Climbing Wheelchair

• More energy is required to pull the wheelchair upstairs.
• Doesn’t offer a smooth ride on rough pathways.
• Always require a helper.

Type 2: Tracked Stair Climbing Wheelchair

A tracked stair climbing wheelchair has tracks that move the wheelchair up and down stairs. This type has two categories:

i) Manual tracked stair climbing wheelchair

Even though this type of stair-climbing wheelchair is tracked, it’s manually operated. The user or helper has to activate the track system for the wheelchair to start ascending or descending stairs. Some are motorized and thus less effort is required.

ii) Automatic tracked stair-climbing wheelchair — XSTO X12

The XSTO -X12 is a stair-climbing wheelchair designed to offer all-terrain mobility autonomously. Utilizing the caterpillar mode, this stair climber wheelchair will go up and down stairs, steep slopes, road shoulders, and rugged surfaces. It’s also equipped with modern technology to enhance safety, boost confidence while on the go, and navigate obstacles.

If you’re looking for independence, whether ascending or descending stairs, the automatic tracked stair climbing wheelchair is the best option. Automation is the priority in this stair wheelchair type. It’s loaded with sensors that detect mobility challenges and address them accordingly.

For mobility convenience, this category has wheels for flat surfaces and a tracked system for stairs and steep slope mobility.

Features

Tracked stair-climbing wheelchairs have these features in common:

a) Tracked and wheel system

Like the caterpillar tracks, this wheelchair uses tracks for its mobility. The tracks are mounted to a strong chassis and a powerful suspension system.

For faster and smoother movements on flat surfaces, these wheelchairs feature a wheel system.

b) Automation

Modern technologies, including AI, have revolutionized how products interact with human beings. Whether it’s posture stabilizations, seat self-balancing, collision warning, or mode switching, the tracked stair wheelchair is automated.

c) Electric

To eliminate manual operations, you’ll find nearly every system connected to power. So, with a single press of a button, the wheelchair will obey the command.

Advantages of using a Tracked Stair Climbing Wheelchair

• The automatic tracked stair-climbing wheelchair requires no helper or assistance.
• Enhanced safety measures.
• Faster speed.
• Easy to operate.
• Self-dynamic balancing.

Disadvantages of using a Tracked Stair Climbing Wheelchair

• More costly compared to wheeled stair wheelchairs.
• Although they are compact, they are a bit bulky.

Differences Between Wheeled and Trucked Wheelchair

To determine the differences between the wheelchairs that climb stairs, you’ve to analyze their mode of locomotion, incorporated technology, whether it’s powered or not, and automation.

Stair Climbing Wheelchair Type	Advanced technologies	Mobility	Cost	Operation
Wheeled Stair-Climbing Wheelchairs	Manual systems No advanced technologies used	Wheeled system	Cheap	Manual
Tracked Stair-Climbing Wheelchairs	Utilizes advanced technologies such as AI, unique models, and algorithms.	Wheeled and tracked systems	Comparatively expensive	Automation

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Stair Climber Wheelchair 

With the types of stair-climbing wheelchairs in mind, several factors should influence your choice if you want the best based on your circumstances.

Here are the factors:

1. Assistance requirement

Whether you’ve got a helper or not, knowing that you can go around the compound, in and outside the house, will definitely give a sense of independence. A stair-climbing wheelchair that requires a helper to go up and down stairs isn’t ideal.

2. Cost

Your financial status determines what you can own. If you aren’t financially constrained, buy yourself a modern wheelchair for stairs. Every wheelchair has its price; match your financial strength with the stair wheelchair you want to buy.

3. Ease of mobility

Your environment greatly determines the type of stair-climbing wheelchair to buy. If you’re a professional with a lot of movements, an automated stairs wheelchair is best for you. Choose a wheelchair that will make your movements simple and faster.

4. Safety

You don’t want to inflict more harm on the user, right? Then select a stair-climbing wheelchair with strong and durable safety belts, a self-balancing mechanism, and a strong chassis that won’t break easily. Some of the modern tracked wheelchairs are equipped with automotive safety standards.

Conclusion

The two types of stair-climbing wheelchairs you’ll find in the market are the wheeled stair-climbing wheelchair and the tracked stair-climbing wheelchair. While the wheeled utilizes only wheels for its mobility, the tracked utilizes both wheel and track systems.