A heavy duty stairlift is one which can take a greater weight and has a larger seat. Heavy duty stairlifts are generally needed when the weight limit of a standard stairlift (18-25 stone) is exceeded. Or, if it is likely to be exceeded in the future, it should also be considered.
We take your safety on the stairs seriously and so we only offer new heavy duty stairlifts. We don’t offer reconditioned stairlifts for the larger person.
Heavy Duty Stair Lift – Models
The most popular models which we offer are the Bruno heavy duty stairlift and the Platinum heavy duty. The Bruno has a higher weight capacity (30 stone), whereas the Platinum has a more agile manoeuvring capacity. However, the Platinum heavy weight stairlift still needs room for pivoting at the top/bottom of the stairs.
The Bruno (pictured left) has an outward facing chair position which cannot be changed. This can limit the ability for installation in some households, depending on the size of the user and the size of the staircase.
The Platinum (pictured right), on the other hand is more flexible for narrow or tricky staircases. It can face the user down the staircase, which gives more legroom when required. However, it must have room to pivot at the top to let the user off.
Heavy Duty Stairlift – Measurements
If you’re on the weight limit of the Platinum (25 stone), and unsure about whether a stairlift will fit in your home, give us a call. You can reach us on 0800 046 3438. We will take your measurements and that of your staircase to find a suitable lift.
To check whether a Bruno is a viable option for you, take the measurements from the lower back to the knee/toe. Add 100-150mm for the chair fitting. Now look at the narrowest part of your staircase and compare these measurements. There must be space left over for your knees to avoid the wall!
Your leg movement flexibility is important too. If you can’t move your feet underneath your knees, you’ll need to take the lower back to toe measurement.
Will A Larger Lift Fit My Staircase?
Sometimes there simply isn’t room for a heavy duty stairlift. It will depend on your size, weight, the flexibility of your legs, and the size of your staircase.
If you have a particularly narrow staircase, and still need a heavy duty stairlift, we will likely recommend the Platinum stairlift. Although the weight limit is lower than the Bruno, coming in at 25 stone, it is more agile due to its downward facing chair position, so it could be the answer!
Here’s a picture of the Platinum heavy duty stairlift. You can see in the picture below the chair can face up the stairs (also downstairs), giving you more leg room.
Give Us A Call For A Quote
The best thing to do if you’re unsure as to whether a heavy duty stairlift will work for you is to give us a call. Our friendly team will help you over the phone, or you can book a free assessment if need be. We will send an engineer out to measure your home and see whether a heavy duty stairlift is a viable option.
Call us on 0800 046 3438 or visit our contact page.
We have also created a buyers guide which you can download below, or visit our YouTube channel here.
See also our bariatric stairlifts page here.