AmeriGlide Stair Lifts
Ameriglide Stairlifts are produced by Ameriglide Corporation, a total mobility products and services manufacturer. Although they make much more than just stairlifts, this article will concentrate on those particular items.
About Ameriglide
Ameriglide (also known as the Summit Stair Co.) was founded in Raleigh, NC in 2003, and has grown since then to become a leader in all mobility products, from stair lifts and beyond. It has a reputation for its no-frills, functional products and low costs, both of which are extremely important factors to many with mobility problems. Ameriglide conducts a lot of its business online, connecting directly with the consumer, which helps keep costs down, although they do sell large quantities through medical supply and service companies. Those who want to get more information about the company and its products, such as Ameriglide Stairlifts, can visit the company’s website, www.ameriglide.com, or check their local listings for authorized dealers in their area.
Installation and Power Requirements
Ameriglide stairlifts are designed for owner installation, though the company can be contracted to install the equipment for around $550, depending on the staircase material—concrete, tile and steel staircases require more manpower and alternate installation techniques. The lifts themselves come in two basic classes: battery (DC) powered or mains (AC) powered. The two have the same safety and features specifications, but the battery-powered version (which can be charged through an outlet when not in use) is more versatile, in that it can be used even during power outages, and is without the possible danger of a trailing cord, which can become worn with use.
Safety Features
All Ameriglide stairlifts come with several standard safety features. The footrests come with a safety sensor, which stops the lift if it encounters anything in the lift’s path, reducing accidents. Each lift has a swivel safety switch, which helps to ensure that the seat is in the right position prior to lifting, lowering the likelihood of falls from improper positioning. Seat belts keep the occupant safely strapped in until they release the strap. The cable-run lift mechanism has tension guards, which will automatically stop the lift in the event that the cable loses tension. A limit switch automatically makes sure that the stairlift will switch off at the same spot at the bottom and top of the staircase by itself. When the lift controls are released, pressure controls ensure that the lift stops immediately. Ameriglide Stairlifts meet the safety standards required by all the national guidelines in the countries in which they are sold.
Warranties and Used/Refurbished Units
Ameriglide gives a 5-year standard parts warranty and 10-year warranty on the power train on all its units, although the battery-powered version also offers a year of normal use warranty. As the company does offer used and refurbished units for sale, the warranties for these particular units are stated individually. As Ameriglide stairlifts are low-tech kinds of equipment, they require little in the way of maintenance apart from track lubrication every six months, per manufacturer recommendations.
User Reviews
Although Ameriglide Stairlifts are much less fancy and automated than many of the competitors in the lift industry, they have a wide reputation as solid and dependable, with low maintenance costs. The company has an A plus Better Business Bureau rating. The usage of a cable pulley system instead of a rack-and-pinion system (which is standard on most competitor lifts) gives it a ride which is less smooth and seamless and braking which is more abrupt, but is perfectly serviceable.
In all, Ameriglide Stairlifts are well-made, inexpensive, and durable pieces of equipment which function as they are advertised to do.