When looking at wheelchair lifts, it's important to realize that when it comes to home wheelchair lifts, also called porch lifts, there are two main styles. It's easy to divide them between those that are operated by an electric motor and those operated by a hydraulic lift. Both are quite effective and they each have their own particular advantages and disadvantages.



Hydraulic lift wheelchair lifts are designed around a more classic elevator style. Underneath the platform, there is a hydraulically operated cylinder that raises and lowers the vertical platform, depending on if the person is entering or leaving the home. The hydraulic cylinder is not unlike those used in automotive garages to raise and lower vehicles, except they are on a smaller scale.

The benefits of these hydraulic wheelchair lifts are that they can lift extremely large amounts of weight without a problem and they have years of successful service behind them. The drawbacks of a hydraulic vertical platform lift is that they do require maintenance from time to time and a loss of hydraulic fluid can cause them to fail and no longer function without repair. Fortunately, these type of events are few and far between because of the long service life of a quality wheelchair lift.

Electric wheelchair lifts are more complicated, but they are sometimes considered to be more simple than hydraulic wheelchair lifts. Why? They use electric motors to raise and lower the platform. While not as mechanically simple as hydraulic lifts, the use of electric motors means they are easily understood. Underneath the platform on an electric porch lift is a series of electric motors that raises and lowers the platform as needed.

The main benefits of electric vertical platform lifts are their relative ease of installation and their exemplary service record. They are known to give years of easy, quality service. The biggest drawback is that electric motors can and do wear out if they are stressed too much. For example, too much weight on a lift can cause motor damage where a hydraulic wheelchair lift will merely fail to raise or lower.

While these types are often compared, they both have their strengths and are particularly useful in different types of situations. This is important to remember when evaluating the different types of wheelchair lifts available. Whichever type of wheelchair lift that you go with, you will get a quality elevator lift that will give you years of quality service. You'll have a lift that fits the needs of your home or business while simultaneously making your home more accessible and safer. You'll be able to partake in all of the benefits that wheelchair lifts provide.