Stairlift
Drive Systems
All
modern stairlifts now use the Rack & Pinion drive system.
Over the years there were many different ways and approaches to
drive / move the stairlift carriage up and down the track. From
wire rope winch drums to chain driven mechanisms. All are now
obsolete apart from the Rack & Pinion See
fig4A
The
hardened steel rack is bolted to the aluminum cast track. 98%
of stairlift manufactures use Aluminum in their track designs.
The stairlift motor connected to the stairlift gearbox (Pinion)
drives the pinion along the rack/track. Rack & Pinion drives
produce a very smooth stairlift ride, hence all stairlift manufactures
adopting the Rack & Pinion drive system in their stairlift
designs and production
Stairlift
Tracks
Most
people think the aluminum stairlift track is bolted / fixed to
the wall? No all stairlift tracks including curved stairlifts
are fixed to the staircase treads. At this point i think it might
be a good idea to mention! If your thinking of having a stairlift
installed you might want to think about renewing your staircase
carpet?
Removing
stairlifts for new carpet?
During
my many years as a stairlift engineer one of the most common questions
asked! How do i go about getting my staircase carpet renewed.
Oh' Boy... Not an easy task once the stairlift is fitted. Removing
a stairlift for carpet renewal is very expensive! Two engineers
to arrive and disconnect all the wiring and remove the carriage
from the track, unbolt the track from the stairs and dismantle
and store
Return
the same day after the carpet fitter has finished renewing the
stairs carpet and refit the stairlift and all wiring connections
etc. Well add on an extra £300.00 minimum for a straight
stairlift and a lot more if you have a curved stairlift. If you
can find a good carpet fitter who is willing to spend the time
to cut the carpet around each leg / support, then it would be
well worth paying him extra to do so. Not many carpet fitters
will do this. Main point! Now might be a good time to renew your
staircase carpet before the installation of your new stairlift |
