As I mentioned in a previous thread, a couple weeks ago I got a new Quickie series 6 power chair. It would be considered a rearwheel drive as opposed to the newer style six wheeled Ms. wheel drive. However it does have two small caster wheels sticking out the back as an anti-tip mechanism. I've had similar "wheelie bars" on other wheelchairs that were just a fixed small wheel with no mechanism to them. I promptly took them off. There are many places I go where I need to go up a curb or a single step onto a porch for example. Always of course with the assistance of an able-bodied person.
But the wheels on this new chair have some sort of strange mechanism that looks like a suspension system. There is a cable running from each one to the front of the chair and connects to a small motor.
I've looked through the user manuals I've seen exploded parts diagrams for replacement parts that I for the life of me cannot figure out what all of this complicated mechanism really does. I don't drive much outdoors except for across a parking lot. I never go over rough terrain. I don't take exceptionally steep ramps unless absolutely necessary and then only with assistance. So I really don't think I need an anti--tip mechanism. I know if I ask a dealer or the factory they cannot tell me that it is safe to take them off because that might make them liable if something happened.
It's not just that they are an annoyance (at least in my opinion) but they also make it difficult to fit my wheelchair onto the lift on my van.
So basically I have two questions…
1). If we remove them, is there some sort of safety system that's going to shut down the wheelchair because my anti-tip mechanism has been tampered with?
2). Just out of curiosity what is all of that crazy mechanism really for?
By the way this chair has tilt and recline in the seat. However my legs are rather short from my hips to my knees. That means that the backrest has been adjusted very far forward which means that my center of gravity is pretty far forward as well. Even in full tilt and recline it does not feel like the chair is in danger of tripping over and of course there is the safety that will not let you drive the chair once it's passed a certain angle which I like.
Any insights you can share are much appreciated.