SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Functionality and Convenience, The Latest in Wheelchair Lifts

School bus operators looking to upgrade or purchase new wheelchair lifts understand the importance of features that ensure a safe, secure and comforta...

by Albert Neal, Assistant Editor
February 1, 2004
Functionality and Convenience, The Latest in Wheelchair Lifts

Ricon Corp.'s KlearVue Series wheelchair lifts are designed for trouble-free servicing and maintenance

4 min to read


School bus operators looking to upgrade or purchase new wheelchair lifts understand the importance of features that ensure a safe, secure and comfortable ride. But with all the choices in wheelchair lifts available today, how do you know which is best for your fleet?

With this question in mind, SBF interviewed three wheelchair lift manufacturers. Advances in securement, stowing capacity, noise reduction and driver and passenger visibility are among the features that are offered by these manufacturers.

Ad Loading...

The KlearVue™ Series
Ricon Corp.
Panorama City, Calif.
www.riconcorp.com
Contact: Stanton Saucier, VP mktg.

 

  • Power = 12/24 volt DC

  • Pump rating = 1,250 psi

  • Rated load capacity = 800 lbs.

  • Weight = 325 to 345 lbs.

Ad Loading...
  • Installation depth = K-Series 16½ inches

  • Usable platform length = up to 54 inches

  • Usable platform width = 34 inches

  • Floor to ground travel = 48 inches

  • Warranty = five years limited

    End users will appreciate the dependability of Ricon’s KlearVue Series wheelchair lift, which meets or exceeds ADA specifications, as well as Canadian regulation D409.

    Standard features include automatic inboard rollstops and permanent, no-lube bearings at all major pivot points.

    The KlearVue Series has been designed for trouble-free servicing and maintenance. “Our lifts are designed for ease of maintenance with complete easy-to-follow wiring diagrams,” says Donald Newland, marketing executive. The KlearVue lift also comes standard with a manual back-up pump.

    The lift comes with a five-year limited warranty that covers parts and labor for one year and the power train for five years. Only authorized dealers or service facilities can install a Ricon lift. The installation time is approximately four hours.

    Ricon recommends that individuals board their lifts facing outboard at all times. Even though ADA requirements say that an individual may load from either direction, this allows for the weight of the wheelchair and occupant to be more evenly distributed, says Newland.

    Compared with other lifts, Newland says the KlearVue Series “has a longer warranty, is easier to maintain, operates with a lower hydraulic pressure and has fewer moving parts.”

    In 2001, Ricon became the first domestic lift manufacturer to achieve an ISO 9001 certification. In addition to its facility in Panorama City, Calif., Ricon has distribution and service facilities in New York City, Chicago and Manchester, England. {+PAGEBREAK+} The Vista Series
    Braun Corp.
    Winamac, Ind.
    www.braunlift.com
    Contact: Jeff Ruff, exec. VP sales

     

Ad Loading...
  • Power = 12 volts, 50-amp draw

  • Pump rating = 2,000 psi

  • Rated load capacity = 800 lbs.

  • Weight = 351 lbs.

  • Installation depth = 14 11/16 inches

Ad Loading...
  • Usable platform length = 50 inches

  • Usable platform width = 32 5/8 inches

  • Floor to ground travel = 48 inches

  • Warranty = five years limited

    The Vista Series has a number of features that make it a valuable tool for transporters of special-needs students, including a stacking platform that improves driver and passenger visibility.

    The Vista Series also has an interlocking supplementary restraint system that renders the lift inoperable if the restraint system is ever disengaged. Installation time for the lift is approximately eight hours, and the owner’s manual has a preventive maintenance schedule for each individual moving part. The Vista Series’ five-year limited warranty covers parts for five years and labor for three. {+PAGEBREAK+} The Original Einstein
    Maxon Lift Corp.
    Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
    www.maxonmobility.com
    Contact: Smokey Spencer, product mgr.

     

  • Power = 12/24 volts, 65 amp

Ad Loading...
  • Pump rating = 1,250 psi

  • Rated load capacity = 800 lbs.

  • Weight = Approx. 323 lbs.

  • Installation depth = 15½ inches

  • Usable platform length = 53 inches

Ad Loading...
  • Usable platform width = 33 inches

  • Floor to ground travel = up to 48 inches

  • Warranty = three years, parts and labor

    The Original Einstein has an extra large platform surface that allows room for large scooters and wheelchairs. The lift also features hand-held controls with rocker switches that allow drivers or aides to operate the lift from either side.

    The inboard rollstop assembly prevents wheelchairs from rolling off the inboard side of the platform while providing a bridge between the lift platform and the vehicle door threshold. The outboard rollstop provides an entry/exit ramp for the platform.

    Maxon provides a convenient and easy-to-read maintenance checklist for semi-annual, quarterly and daily inspections.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Special Needs Transportation

Graphic of a wheelchair with text reading “Avoid These 32 Wheelchair Mistakes” and School Bus Fleet logo on a blue gradient background

The Most Common Wheelchair Securement Mistakes on School Buses (and How to Fix Them)

Small missteps in wheelchair securement can have serious consequences. Here are 32 tips from experts to reduce risk and increase student safety on the bus.

Read More →
School Bus Fleet “On the Road” graphic featuring Maritza Valentin of AMF Bruns America inside a mobility equipment showroom in Ohio, highlighting accessible bus solutions.

Inside AMF Bruns’ New Showroom: School Bus Securement Solutions Explained

Go inside AMF Bruns America’s new Ohio showroom with Maritza Valentin to see its FutureSafe technology, driver training tools, securement systems, and seating innovations.

Read More →
Thumbnail image of AMF Bruns grand opening video featuring Maritza Valentin speaking in a manufacturing space, with company logo and “Grand Opening Day!” text overlay

What AMF Bruns’ New Facility Means for Customers [Video]

Inside AMF Bruns’ new Stow, Ohio, operations: See how expanded space and innovation will enhance customer support and operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
zonar system image
SponsoredApril 20, 2026

2026 State of Student Transportation Report

Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.

Read More →
AMF Bruns national account managers Maritza Valentin and Jeff Algire at open house event

AMF Bruns Expands in Ohio, Investing in Growth and Community

With expanded production space, local investment, and a growing workforce, AMF Bruns is scaling its U.S. presence. Here’s an exclusive first look inside the new Stow, Ohio, HQ.

Read More →
Exterior view of AMF Bruns of America’s new 41,000-square-foot facility in Stow, Ohio

Inside AMF Bruns of America’s New Ohio Manufacturing Facility [Photos]

Take a behind-the-scenes look at AMF Bruns of America’s new 41,000-square-foot Stow, Ohio, headquarters, featuring advanced manufacturing, expanded space, and future-ready mobility solutions.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
hopskipdrive whitepaper
SponsoredMarch 30, 2026

Innovative Transportation Solutions for K-12 Attendance

While the yellow school bus remains the backbone of student transit, 75% of administrators identify limited transportation access as a major driver of chronic absenteeism. This guide explores how districts are strengthening their fleets by integrating flexible, supplemental solutions to serve students with the most complex needs. Learn how a multimodal approach can bridge service gaps, restore attendance, and support your most vulnerable populations.

Read More →
Students walking away from a school bus with a driver in the background, representing efforts to improve student behavior support and safety in school transportation programs.

First Student Boosts Student Support in Wichita & Texas

First Student and Wichita Public Schools are using behavioral support strategies to improve student ride experiences, while a separate initiative expands access to after-school programs through a bus donation.

Read More →
Infographic showing a yellow school bus with a wheelchair lift and charts highlighting 2026 special-needs transportation statistics, including ridership changes and driver pay comparisons.
SponsoredFebruary 27, 2026

2026 Special-Needs Transportation Survey

What’s changing in special-needs transportation? This year, student transportation operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and evolving challenges. Sponsored by AMF Bruns of America.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Infographic showing a yellow school bus with a wheelchair lift and charts highlighting 2026 special-needs transportation statistics, including ridership changes and driver pay comparisons.
Special Needs TransportationFebruary 27, 2026

2026 Special-Needs Transportation Survey

What’s changing in special-needs transportation? This year, student transportation operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and evolving challenges. Sponsored by AMF Bruns of America.

Read More →