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I am disabled and use a power wheelchair. I am very active, and depend on the reliability of my wheelchair to maintain my independence. Last August I received a new wheelchair, a TDX SP with a tilt, and have had nothing but problems with it from day one. I am, unfortunately, usually alone when the malfunctions happen, and this can be pretty scary. Two of these are potentially dangerous, particularly in the summertime when I’m often outside and alone. I have heard through the grapevine that many, many other people are experiencing similar problems and that some wheelchair companies have stopped selling the chair because of this. I have managed to get a home movie of a couple incidents, and have posted them on youtube for anyone who is interested at the following link:  http://www.youtube.com/user/lburg22

 

Right now, I would like to compare notes!!

 

This wheelchair was sold throughout the country, and if enough people with this particular model are having the same problems we have a potential class action lawsuit .

 

The problems are:

 

1)      The motors will not fully disengage when the chair is taken out of gear. This means that the chair can’t be taken out of gear properly so someone can push the wheelchair if I have an equipment failure or need help.

 

2)      The chair pitches forward unexpectedly and dangerously during transfers, sudden stops in van, or when wheeling downhill. I have video of this posted on youtube at the following link:

         http://www.youtube.com/user/lburg22 

3)      The motors, gear-box, suspension, and front caster mechanisms all needed    replacing within weeks of receiving the chair. I was told all the wheel mechanisms are metal on metal, making them prone to frequent breakdown.

 

4)      The rear wheel forks are badly constructed and sharp. They are raw, sharp metal and stick out further than the tire itself. If I am in close quarters, such as my mothers’ bathroom, and touch the wall with the rear tires, the raw metal invariably scrapes whatever surface it touches as I try to change direction and the wheels turn. Even if I’m barely moving, the forks scrape as I change direction. This is not a serious problem compared with the other three points, but the people whose walls have been damaged find it important.

 

If you have any input, please comment on this website or send e-mail to wheelchair1011@aol.com

 

Knowing Where and Who paid for the chair is needed if you want advice here... at least I think it is... If your insurance paid for it, then they need to take action on your behalf, if a wheelchair store got it for you and you bought, and have a waranty on it, they need to take action on your behalf  Did you keep your older chair so you have a back up handy ??  Can you walk at all on your own, or are you totally unable to walk ?? Can you use a manual chair while you wait for a better one or get yours fixed ?? 

I hope you find answers, don't give up !!

Your wheelchair should never compromise your safety or independence.  You did not say if you have contacted your DME dealer or Invacare with your problems.

 

As to tipping.  The TDX SP is midwheel drive with six wheels on the ground and should not tip forward unless your seat pan is not secured.   I drive from my power chair with an EZ Lock system that prevents forward or rearward tipping.   As a passenger I use

Q Straints fore and aft which keep the chair in place.

Your other issues seem to be fixable.  The motor disengagement device on my chair (Jazzy) is a cable release, which I have replaced once in seven years of service, yours may be the same.  Take your chair to an automotive body shop and if feasible, have them grind down and smooth out your rear wheel forks.  I am going to remove the canes on my chair for similar reasons.  

 

I've found that a certain amount of modification is necessary for chairs to suit my needs.  

 

I looked up the specs on your wheelchair for the tilting problem and they offer two different options, one for under 300 lb user and for $512 more you can get the one for under 400 lb user.  I seen your video and (I am not trying to be rude) I seen you are a plus size (but at guessing I would not say you have reached either of those limits).  What I am wondering is maybe the tilt option you got for your wheelchair will not operate because of the weight, maybe have someone else who is lighter try to get it to tilt also.

When I order my manual wheelchairs, I have not got one of them with the correct options that I choose.  Or maybe the stabilizers for the tilt are just malfunctioning.  Either way I would say take it back to a Invacare rep to have them look at it no matter who paid for it because it should not do that I would say.  Same with the engaging problems.

 

For the wheel problem I would look into bigger wheels for the small casters.  See how tall of wheels would fit.  If you mention what city you are in maybe someone close could come look and see what options you have to fixing this chair.  If you are in centeral Arkansas I am sure I could help you out with it or if you want to take some up close pictures and post them on here, I tried to look at the video but when you zoom in it is all grainy and hard to see. 

Wheels, I've viewed your video several times and surmised:

1.  You seem to slouch forward when in the chair, placing more weight onto the front wheels.  Suggestion--sit back toward the rear of the seat cushion, or tilt the chair enough to shift you weight rearward. 

2.  I could not see the rear forks projecting past the wheels.  Most power chairs require 45 inches at a minimum to do a 360 turn.  I find the standard hallway width to be 42 inches, therein is your problem in your mom's house.

 

You have not said if you have contacted Invacare or your DME provider.  You do, however, seem bent on filing a lawsuit.

     Just a friendly hi to you  Here is ideas

           Hi I finally jusst got to see your video thingie and if you arent happy with a product or something  try something else  ......I am not trying to be rude

Think of kids and  See Saws ok ?

               IMOP     Your Center of gravity is way off Kilter ( Center) "  sit more in the Seat not lay in it .

 Mine a ol  used 90's Scout large  tire pneumatic  model  something very similar to yours  . Every day I go up and down  driveway No Problem . The machine I own is ancient but Great for my needs

Maybe you need a different electric chair

I am a big ol couhntry gal  and body mass index told me I needed a big machine Mine is old and I havent had a problem with it .

My ol scout is a workhorse alot of operator problems are due to machine speed and operator but it is Not Always A machine that is the problem .

Like buying a car if it is practical and what you want then that is good

                 There usually is Return policies and Warranties etc.......

   Every day  I go down a front ramp that is nearly 4 feet high by x 12 feet long   much steeper than your  video .

         I  sit more back / upright  I used to slouch

             I am a quadraplegic and it is all in my center of gravity I plant my butt in the chair I dont lay in it .

                  So to aleviate that problem of Frontal tipping As you were doing  I sit back more and I wont  .

You are basically flat style slouching it is not safe

 

 lawsuits etc Class action ? these machines are not monsters ....

 Just get another machine or have it fixed etc.....

Frivilous stuff like this makes it harder and harder  for so many ppl to get the needed medical items

 As Warranties imply by such such date return it etc have it repaired or return it / trade for a different model to the company .

There is always options but lawsuits make medical life so much harder just my opinion .

               

I had friends who sat slouched actuallly fall / slip foward off their chairs because they went too fast and bust their tailbones or other limbs ... ouchie ....Not the wheel chair's fault these friends slouched .

                                  As a ol rider  motorcycle  enthusiest I know the center of gravity

What I typed here is from my heart and experience .

   Best Wishes  

 Sorry for my lousy spelling and grammer mistakes but I try

Keep smiling

         Cordially ;

Missharley      

Oh My Goodness! Where did you even get this thing?! What process did you go through? If you had worked with a physical therapist, he/she could have measured and assessed you correctly, asked you about your intended use, and worked with the company to make sure that you had the right chair. Obviously, this is the wrong chair for you. I know one doesn't like to think of their weight when doing things but in this case it's an important factor. Certain models of chairs are designed for certain weight ranges and this chair was just poorly matched to you. If I were just some scrawny toothpick(I'm definitely not) that didn't remotely understand your plight I wouldn't bother commenting. By having a chair that is too small for you, you run the risk of jeopardizing your safety. Furthermore, whoever sold you this thing has no scruples, they probably knew that model was dangerous and needed to unload it quick. As a sister powerchair user. here's my advice to you: I would suggest not to use those wheelchair stores, because those are just general chairs that will most likely not be customized to you. As a customer in those wheelchair stores, the store is counting on you being either too stupid to know what you need or in too big of a hurry to care about what you need (for the record, you strike me as neither) By having a physical therapist properly measure and assess you, they could then find the right model of chair for your size and use, customizing it to you. Also, they can also recommend a local equipment company from which to purchase your chair. I find that using a local company is better in that you are more likely to get repairs when you need them. Also, be aware that powerchairs can be fickle, they pick the worst times to break down on you, so it's best to keep a backup. Keeping a manual chair in addition to your powerchair, ensures that you are not left in too big of a lurch should the chair have to be taken out for repairs. One other thing, keep up with your replacement dates. Powerchairs are supposed to only last about 4 or 5 years before you need to replace it(although the rules in your state might be different). I would say take your time between chairs and subtract your approval time. For instance, if I replace my chair every 5 years and I remember that it takes 6 months for approval, then I need to start speaking to my vendor at the 4 1/2 year mark to begin replacement talk. Lastly, I can't tell you to sue or not to sue...I can only give you advice for what to do next time.  Best of Luck!

Candygrrl80 (7yr. powerchair user)

       Good morning gang

This was on my mind

Dear Video professor wheeliechair lady on youtubie    

        Your chair is not Compatible for your need's , some companies basically sell Generalized merchandise Chairs , Crutches for Avg % population But I am a large woman and I do not see poetic justice in me sitting myself in a power wheelchair made for a midget .it is unsafe  IMOP

        Now if all of us who drove these style  Good elec wheelchairs powerchairs etc... & were to make a class action lawsuit Sooo many of us will ultimitely pay the price in the long run . less medical care and pissing off  power chair people who work hard to make our lives easier .  Analogy    I dont wear shoes that are too small

common sense is  looking for the proper size .

     Yor therapist could help Remeasure you for a good fitting chair specified for your needs . like Candygrrrl said in her post ..... I agree with Candy

     Best wishes and think positive

Have a good day 

See yaz 

gonna drink  my homade pink country lemonade

  Miss harley         

  

This thing is good probably for a smaller person .