Off road mobility scooter ideas ?

[CompoSimmonite]

The rules for a Class 3 are very strict.
(1) user has to be disabled or a legitimate need for a scooter
(2) max weight 150kg
(3) max width 850mm
(4) proper method of braking (can be electronic)
(5) handbrake
(6) rear view mirror
(7) lights (just side required - headlight therefore optional)
(8) indicators
(9) hazard flashers
(10) horn
(11) max speed of 8mph and method of restricting speed (hence electric power most common as easiest to conform)


That is it ! As long as the above is abided then the rest of the design is "freehand". Power can be electric or petrol. In fact some early mobility buggies were modified lawnmowers. Personally I've a rear engined petrol mower modified and properly registered with DVLA as an Invalid Carriage so have already proved absolutley no problem staying within the law. I used to have a golf buggy as a legal road / off road scooter and local policeman even blagged a ride himself - and came back with big grin on his face.
If speed exceeds 4mph, as with Class 3 buggies and probably Honda 3 wheeler conversions, then illegal to use on pavement. However is they are limited to 8mph and abide by all the other rules then, in thoery, no reason why not adaptable.
To be honest 99% of the time I just use my buggy in 4mph mode and then turn speed down to probably just walking pace - say 3 mph. At that speed I use pavement as I'd be a hazard to other road uses. For use on the moors I'd also be restricted to 4mph as road legal (and that included a class 3 mobility buggy in 8mph mode) aren't allowed.

Paul H

 

[PhillipM]

If there's no max length that makes things a little easier, so long as you don't mind it being a bit more unwieldy in town

 

[CompoSimmonite]

If there's no max length that makes things a little easier, so long as you don't mind it being a bit more unwieldy in town

That's right - only constraints are width and weight.
What about this for length -

Economy stretch limo ?

Paul H

 

[Spot the welders dog]

That's a generous maximum weight to play with. My class 3 comes in at lightweight 94kg.
I was sent this link awhile back - seems appropriate.

 

[the snooper]

That's right - only constraints are width and weight.
What about this for length -

Economy stretch limo ?

Paul H

needs a taxi meter fitting

 

[arceyered]

The rules for a Class 3 are very strict.
(1) user has to be disabled or a legitimate need for a scooter
(2) max weight 150kg
(3) max width 850mm
(4) proper method of braking (can be electronic)
(5) handbrake
(6) rear view mirror
(7) lights (just side required - headlight therefore optional)
(8) indicators
(9) hazard flashers
(10) horn
(11) max speed of 8mph and method of restricting speed (hence electric power most common as easiest to conform)


That is it ! As long as the above is abided then the rest of the design is "freehand". Power can be electric or petrol. In fact some early mobility buggies were modified lawnmowers. Personally I've a rear engined petrol mower modified and properly registered with DVLA as an Invalid Carriage so have already proved absolutley no problem staying within the law. I used to have a golf buggy as a legal road / off road scooter and local policeman even blagged a ride himself - and came back with big grin on his face.
If speed exceeds 4mph, as with Class 3 buggies and probably Honda 3 wheeler conversions, then illegal to use on pavement. However is they are limited to 8mph and abide by all the other rules then, in thoery, no reason why not adaptable.
To be honest 99% of the time I just use my buggy in 4mph mode and then turn speed down to probably just walking pace - say 3 mph. At that speed I use pavement as I'd be a hazard to other road uses. For use on the moors I'd also be restricted to 4mph as road legal (and that included a class 3 mobility buggy in 8mph mode) aren't allowed.

Paul H

Nice when people use a bit of sence there is room for us all ,But I must say the amount of times I have had to jump out the way of a mobility scooter racing down the foot path giving no consideration to walkers then it's no wonder there restrictions.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

That's a generous maximum weight to play with. My class 3 comes in at lightweight 94kg.
I was sent this link awhile back - seems appropriate.

Bookmarked that link as loads of interesting ideas.

What is frustrating is that the DVLA rules for electric vehicles state weight is LESS batteries however for Invalid Carriages if is INCLUDING batteries. Seeing a pair of batteries to give decent range are quite heavy it restricts designers. What some do is list small batteries as "standard" to stay within the 150kg limit and then offer larger capacity as an aftermarket option !
I bought a 200kg scale that hangs from my carport roof to allow me to check weigh of projects. My Yamaha quad is 135kg and I did consider adapting that but couldn't find a way of restricting speed.

Paul H

 

[madkayaker]

can you limit carb travel to limit speed?

 

[octo0072000]

Bookmarked that link as loads of interesting ideas.

What is frustrating is that the DVLA rules for electric vehicles state weight is LESS batteries however for Invalid Carriages if is INCLUDING batteries. Seeing a pair of batteries to give decent range are quite heavy it restricts designers. What some do is list small batteries as "standard" to stay within the 150kg limit and then offer larger capacity as an aftermarket option !
I bought a 200kg scale that hangs from my carport roof to allow me to check weigh of projects. My Yamaha quad is 135kg and I did consider adapting that but couldn't find a way of restricting speed.


heres one i went up ben nevis so should be ok for a little bit off road watch the video

http://www.magicmobility.co.uk/All_Terrain_Wheelchair.html
Paul H

the Tank track one in the link near the bottom was on the news bloke bought one from the states so he could go to the beach with his kids dvla said no way as too wide
but i like the idea
seen another one with four dumper type tyres for off road when going up or down hill seat-back moves so driver is level at all times but was not cheap

another off road one here with a video to watch managed to get up
ben nevis

http://www.magicmobility.co.uk/All_Terrain_Wheelchair.html

 

[the snooper]

here is a link for you

terrain hopper

 

[Spot the welders dog]

I think you could easily build a compliant beast within those stated. There doesn't seem to be any weight restrictions on additional loads being carried; or towed. [Although a class 3 with trailer upon the carriageway may be covered by the RTA].
Theoretically leaving you open to carry what you want.

Have you calculated the weight of your two cart motors, controllers and batteries?

 

[octo0072000]

I think you could easily build a compliant beast within those stated. There doesn't seem to be any weight restrictions on additional loads being carried; or towed. [Although a class 3 with trailer upon the carriageway may be covered by the RTA].
Theoretically leaving you open to carry what you want.

Have you calculated the weight of your two cart motors, controllers and batteries?

there is 3 that a know of that go to the local aldi with trailers on all seem purpose made ones
seen another in skegness towing an big four wheel kart with mesh sides with another seat with a severely disabled man in it
something like this one

 

[Spot the welders dog]

That's interesting to know Octo: thanks..

 

[Robotstar5]

Thought I'd tack it on here instead of a new post, saw a motability scooter with a 2 foot square open trailer behind it, is it legal to tow with a scooter?.

 

[octo0072000]

there's 3 local to me with trailers keep seeing them at the local aldi one looks home made other two look purpose made for the scooter

 

[CompoSimmonite]

My scooter has a hitch as standard and suspect a lot of others do as well.

Paul h

 

[Roger Plant]

Any one still active in this quest for a sensible approach to off road buggy rules?
I am a daily user of my mobility buggy for off road dog walks and am very keen to use a more capable buggy for that job.
Having come up with various ideas for a better buggy and built a prototype using hydrostatic transmission I have come to the conclusion that the current class 3 regulations are too restrictive, particularly the weight restriction.
There are a couple of commercially available tracked buggies that are built using very high tech motors and batteries that just fit in the class 3 regs but they are ridiculously expensive.
If the rules were relaxed a little then it would be possible to use much cheaper tech to build buggies that are much more off road capable than the current class 3 ones.

I am a very experienced engineer, ex-forces and ex-oil industry with plenty of knowledge of unusual vehicle design.

As far as I am concerned mobility challenged people have the same legal rights of access to off road walks as able bodied people. These mobility challenged people should be entitled to use what ever mobility aid they choose to enable that equality of access.

There are many restrictions in the UK that prevent access for mobility challenged people that are contrary to that legal right of equal access.
I am proposing to set up a lobby group with the aim of forcing changes in the laws controlling mobility buggies so that we can use sensible engineering to build suitably capable off road buggies.
I am looking for people who are willing to support my lobby group.
Please post here or better email me at roger.plant2@hotmail.co.uk

 

[awemawson]

With the width restriction perhaps the way my mini digger is made would help with a tracked version. The track and motors are mounted on slides with a hydraulic ram, and can be 'sucked in' to go through door ways, and 'pushed out' for greater stability when needed. So if on pavements use narrow, and on open ground use wide mode.

 

[normspanners]

Any one still active in this quest for a sensible approach to off road buggy rules?
I am a daily user of my mobility buggy for off road dog walks and am very keen to use a more capable buggy for that job.
Having come up with various ideas for a better buggy and built a prototype using hydrostatic transmission I have come to the conclusion that the current class 3 regulations are too restrictive, particularly the weight restriction.
There are a couple of commercially available tracked buggies that are built using very high tech motors and batteries that just fit in the class 3 regs but they are ridiculously expensive.
If the rules were relaxed a little then it would be possible to use much cheaper tech to build buggies that are much more off road capable than the current class 3 ones.

I am a very experienced engineer, ex-forces and ex-oil industry with plenty of knowledge of unusual vehicle design.

As far as I am concerned mobility challenged people have the same legal rights of access to off road walks as able bodied people. These mobility challenged people should be entitled to use what ever mobility aid they choose to enable that equality of access.

There are many restrictions in the UK that prevent access for mobility challenged people that are contrary to that legal right of equal access.
I am proposing to set up a lobby group with the aim of forcing changes in the laws controlling mobility buggies so that we can use sensible engineering to build suitably capable off road buggies.
I am looking for people who are willing to support my lobby group.
Please post here or better email me at roger.plant2@hotmail.co.uk

I agree it makes me laugh when you see vehicle restriction limits, then the council send a tractor or a lumbering jcb on some of the restricted places to do maintenance and dig them up 20 times worse. As said earlier the council fined a house building firm thousands coz the trucks parked with one wheel on the common waiting to off loaded and caused a few little ruts when they them selves made the whole common unwalkable sending a tractor with normal tyres to cut the grass whilst the ground was slightly frozen it broke through and he had to drag himself around using diff lock fiddle brakes etc BUT did not stop!!

 

[Bsmith]

I agree it makes me laugh when you see vehicle restriction limits, then the council send a tractor or a lumbering jcb on some of the restricted places to do maintenance and dig them up 20 times worse. As said earlier the council fined a house building firm thousands coz the trucks parked with one wheel on the common waiting to off loaded and caused a few little ruts when they them selves made the whole common unwalkable sending a tractor with normal tyres to cut the grass whilst the ground was slightly frozen it broke through and he had to drag himself around using diff lock fiddle brakes etc BUT did not stop!!

Who but the council would want to be cutting grass at a time of year when there's frost.