SchoolBus logo in red and orange
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 showing a school bus with a wheelchair lift deployed and the headline “Special Needs Ridership Rises & More Trends,” highlighting 2026 School Bus Fleet special-needs survey results.

Special-Needs Transportation Shifts in 2026: More Riders, More Tech, New Pressures [Survey Report]

What’s changing in special-needs transportation? Operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and emerging challenges. Details here! Survey sponsor: AMF Bruns of America.

Read More →
An aerial photograph of Jersey City, New Jersey, during the day.
Special Needs TransportationJanuary 20, 2026

New Jersey Legislature Approves Special Education Transportation Task Force

The state moves to review special education transportation policies following safety concerns raised by families and advocates.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

3 New Ways Fleet Software Pays: ROI opportunities for modern fleet managers

Keeping buses safe, reliable, and on schedule requires more than manual processes. This eBook explores how modern fleet software supports school transportation teams with automated maintenance scheduling, smarter video safety tools, and integrated data systems. Discover practical ways fleets are reducing breakdowns, improving safety, and saving valuable staff time.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Black and white graphic with an image of a female student getting into an alternative transportation vehicle. Text reads "Student Privacy & Special Needs: Legal, Ethical, and Practical Guidance."
Special Needs TransportationJanuary 16, 2026

Why Student Privacy Matters in Special-Needs School Transportation

Learn more about what federal law really allows when sharing special-needs information with bus drivers and aides while protecting student privacy.

Read More →

AMF Bruns Celebrates 2025 Special-Needs School Bus Driver of the Year

Julio Ospina, a SPED driver and safety trainer at Wylie ISD in Texas, was named the national winner in AMF's annual driver award series.

Read More →
SponsoredDecember 1, 2025

Safety Leadership for School Bus Operations

The most important factor in operating as safely as possible is leadership. Learn about an innovative new training course that teaches all levels of leadership the many practices to instill a safety culture in the drivers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Special Needs Transportationby StaffNovember 11, 2025

Your Insights Needed: 2026 Special Needs Survey Now Open

Help shape the 2026 state of Special-Needs Transportation report! School district and contractor leaders — share your notes on ridership, equipment, and staffing by Dec. 31, 2025.

Read More →
SponsoredNovember 7, 2025

eBook: Good for the Fleet, Good for the Community

Learn how modern telematics helps pupil transportation fleets operate more safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively while proving measurable value to their communities. See how real fleets are reducing idling, improving driver safety, and using video data to protect budgets and passengers alike.

Read More →

Survey: Homeless Student Identification Rises for Third Consecutive Year

New data reveals frontline perspectives on supporting some of America’s most vulnerable students, detailing transportation challenges and possible solutions.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Kala Henkensiefken poses for a photo in the driver's seat of a school bus. Text reads: "From Driver to Mentor: Kala Henkensiefken."
Managementby Elora HaynesSeptember 11, 2025

From Driver to Mentor: Kala Henkensiefken's Legacy in Special Education Transportation

For decades, Henkensiefken has been a cornerstone of special education transportation in Minnesota. As she prepares for retirement, her career reflects on the industry's evolution and her unwavering commitment to its advancement.

Read More →