Wheelchair lift on boat uses proven profile rails
A
Hepcomotion product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jan 31, 2002
A purpose-built boat for the disabled and disadvantaged commissioned by the Hospitalers of St John includes an efficient wheelchair lift system featuring Hepco-Winkel profile rails and bearings
The Hong Kong Star ferry is the inspiration behind a new design of boat commissioned by the Hospitalers of St John.
This charitable organisation with historic links to the St John's Ambulance Association, owns and operates several boats for the disabled and disadvantaged.
However unlike its existing craft that are narrow boat conversions, this new addition to its fleet has been purpose-built as a people-carrying vessel with far greater operating flexibility than its forerunners.
Known as Crusader II at present but due to be re-named at its launch, this craft is the brainchild of Joe Wright who is retained by the Association to manage the project.
Able to accommodate 50 people, it is destined to operate on the Nene River in Northampton, easing demand on the Association's other three boats that are currently working at full capacity on the rivers Nene and Trent.
"Although 70 feet in length, Crusader II does not have the turning restrictions of its sister craft," Joe explains.
"With two sterns, it can be hydraulically driven in all four directions to give us utmost flexibility.
Trips will no longer be governed by where we can turn the boat around." Naturally its dedicated facilities include an efficient wheelchair lift system.
Independent engineer, Brian Munson of Arno Engineering has created a clever design that incorporates a folding aluminium platform to maximise available deck space.
Operated by hydraulic ram, this system includes Hepco-Winkel profile rails and bearings, chosen for their proven reliability in heavy duty lifting applications.
Brian's experience in designing a similar lift system for a boat operated on the tidal River Waveney proved valuable.
"I initially considered using fork lift truck rails for this job," he explained.
"But as these were far too cumbersome and heavy, I chose to make my own." Indeed, Brian was seriously considering this as an option for the Crusader II project when a Hepco-Winkel catalogue alerted him to the possibility of an off-the-shelf solution.
As a result, four two-metre Hepco-Winkel rails were specified that were plasma galvanised to provide corrosion resistance and eight, 70mm fixed bearings with re-lubrication facility.
Flange plates welded to the bearings completed the specification.
"Matthew Jones at Hepco's Mechanical Products Division couldn't have been more helpful," Brian concludes.
"This system is perfect for what I wanted to achieve.".
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