User feedback creates new powered attendant all-terrain wheelchair
The Mountain Trike Company launched the new foldable ePush at Naidex 2022, which promises a comfortable ride, adaptable seating, and a power assist mode for users travelling over difficult terrains.
Naidex took place on 6-7 July at the NEC in Birmingham, where many users and health and social care professionals visited the event to discover new and unqiue assistive technologies like rehabilitation equipment, walking aids, and mobility devices.
On stand D62, The Mountain Trike Company showcased the new ePush, an electric power assist version of its successful MT Push, alongside its current all-terrain wheelchair product range.
The ePush was developed with user feedback and provides the pusher with electric assist to enable them to tackle more challenging terrain, steeper hills, and be able to adventure further together.
It uses the same proven rear wheel motor system used on the specialist’s eTrike but is adapted to have the controls on the push handle for the attendant. The ePush can be pushed manually, and, when the going gets tough, it can easily be switched to the electric power assist mode.
Talking about the new product launch, Tim Morgan, Managing Director at the Mountain Trike Company, said: “I’m thrilled to be launching the ePush and adding it to our all terrain wheelchair product range. The ePush has been in the pipeline for sometime now and I’ve been working on the prototype which has been developed gathering user feedback.
“Following customer feedback we soon recognised that there was an appetite for an electric assist version of our manual MT Push – the electric assist has been designed with the pusher in mind to help remove the effort required to push but the rider will also benefit as they can explore and adventure further together to enjoy more outdoor places.”
The ePush comes with a 250W, 36V hub motor, 12.8Ah, 36V lithium ion battery, which includes a mains charger.
With a maximum 3.5mph limit, the all-terrain wheelchair offers a range of 8-20 miles depending conditions, user and type of terrain. It is operated using a thumb throttle located in the push handle, while an LCD screen displays the speed, distance, average speed, max speed and power settings.
The ePush’s overall weight is 25kg and can be folded for transport purposes, which is helpful for people on the go who want an easily transportable option.
Additionally, the ePush is robust and provides a comfortable ride thanks to mountain bike air suspension, hydraulic brakes, and an aluminium frame. Adaptable, flexible seating and various accessories are available to suit individual needs.
The ePush is available as a complete new model or as a retrofit kit suitable for any existing MT Push, making it more affordable for those wanting to upgrade.
The price for the ePush is £6,390, while the eKit is priced at £2,395 and fitting can be done by Mountain Trike, a bike shop or fitting instructions can be provided and carried out by the owner.
Tim added: “As with the eTrike an eKit is also available so if at any point our MT Push community wish to add electric assist it can easily be done so. We already have a list of new and existing customers keen to place their order.
“With the continued success of our eTrike I have absolutely no doubt that the ePush will be equally successful and another game changer for the Mountain Trike Company.”