Benefits:
- Front-wheel drive bases have a shortened turning radius for ease in maneuvering in tight spaces (better than rear wheel drive, not as tight as mid-wheel drive)
- Wheel turning radius is about 25-28”
- Works very well on rough or uneven terrain and going up and down slopes (Johnson Taylor, n.d.)
Limitations:
- This chair has lower overall speeds because it tends to fishtail (in other words, the back-end slides) when the driver is moving at faster speeds
- If the driver does not have a very steady hand or has high sensitivity in his/her drive mechanism (i.e. joystick, switch, etc.), then fishtailing occurs more often (Kreutz & Johnson Taylor, 2002, p.327)
Recommended for:
- Individuals who do not need the tightest turning and still want to move at relatively fast speeds.
- Individuals who will encounter a lot of uneven, rocky or hilly terrain.
wheelchair advance 