How to Make a Wood Loading Ramp for Mobility Scooters
If you have a mobility scooter that you need to load into a vehicle or another part of your home, you may be interested in building a wooden ramp to make your job easier. Utilizing ramps is one of the best ways to provide increased mobility to your scooter by allowing your or a loved one to go up or down sets of stairs or steps. There are specific ramps built for such jobs. However, they are often expensive and difficult to maneuver. On the other hand, building your own wooden mobility scooter ramp is easy, saves money and is effective. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Measure the diagonal distance from the top of the object you are going to use the ramp to ascend/descend to the ground with the tape measure. Make sure that the slope of the ramp does not exceed the ADA mandated 1 inch of rise per 12 inches of ramp guideline. Add 6 inches of length to each end of the ramp to serve as the "feet" on which the ramp will rest when in use.
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2
Cut two pieces of 2x4 lumber to the length you measured in Step 1. Cut three pieces of 2x4 lumber to a length 6 inches wider than the width of the mobility scooter. Use the screwgun to attach the 3 short pieces of 2x4 lengthwise between the two longer pieces of lumber, making sure they are evenly spaced along the length of the longer 2x4s.
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3
Cut a piece of plywood to fit snugly over the form of 2x4 lumber you just built. Attach the plywood to the top side of the 2x4 frame with the screwgun and then lay the ramp spanning the distance over which you want to move the mobility scooter.
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4
Use the ramp by driving the mobility scooter up (or down) onto the plywood. If the ramp needs moved to a different staircase or area of the house, simply pick up the ramp and move it, placing at least 6 inches of each end of the ramp onto the top and bottom of the staircase or obstacle that you are attempting to avoid.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure your ramp is firmly seated on either side of the obstacle before attempting to drive the scooter up onto it, otherwise the ramp may shift or move underneath of the scooter.
