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Watch the summary video on YouTube. I purchased this used Ki Mobility Catalyst wheelchair on eBay relatively inexpensively. My plan is to send it to someone with spinal cord injury in Zimbabwe as part of my A Proper Wheelchair is Life initiative. At first glance, this wheelchair looks ready to go. In reality, this is one of the most poorly setup wheelchairs that I have ever used.
The problems with this wheelchair are as follows:
The rear wheels are too small in diameter (22”), located too far back, and too low relative to the seat. They are also secured with a bolt rather than a quick release axle. Thus, making them impossible to remove when picking up and transporting the wheelchair.
The front casters are too large (8”) causing them to flutter and interfere with the heels of my feet (when my feet are properly positioned).
The backrest is too high which restricts my ability to self-propel using the muscles of my back.
As a result, this wheelchair is extremely difficult to self-propel. Whoever used this wheelchair in the past likely had great difficulty getting around even in their home. Sending this wheelchair ASIS would doom someone else to this same fate.
This wheelchair is desperately in need of some #WheelchairFirstAid.
Step 1:
I removed the rear wheels with wrenches. Next, I removed the axle receivers and switched them around so that it moved the rear wheel position forward and up. This new position enables a more centered COG and better access to the drive wheel. This position is far from ideal, but it is better than what it was before.
I switched the wheels from heavy solid rubber 22” x 3/8” plastic wheels to 24”x1.95” light aluminum pneumatic wheels with quick release axles. Fortunately, the Ki Catalyst uses a ½” ID axle receiver that is compatible with standard ½” quick release axles.
Step 2:
I used allen wrenches to move the wheel-locks forward to adjust for the larger rear wheels.
Step 3:
I removed the all-purpose 8” plastic caster wheels and replaced it with 5” aluminum wheelchair caster wheels using the same fork. The smaller wheel rolls better and does not interfere with the wheelchair user’s feet (when the feet are properly positioned).
Step 4:
I removed the backrest support and cut 4” off the bottom of them. I placed them back and drilled new holes to secure them.
As a result of my modifications, the Ki Catalyst is much more functional for self-propelling. But some of these modifications required buying new aftermarket parts which is (likely) why they were not done originally.
The only reason to use a bolt rather a quick release axle is to save money. A bolt is very cheap. While a small percentage of wheelchair users like solid rubber tires, they are heavy, harder to push, and have less traction than a pneumatic wheel with a decent tire. They are also cheaper and easy to maintain, which are the primary reasons they are used.
Large 8” front caster wheels are awkward for the wheelchair user's feet and for self-propelling. But they make it easier for an attendant to push the wheelchair. They also fit rollators, so they are mass produced inexpensively and thus widely used.
High backrests accommodate raised push handles which are more comfortable for attendants when pushing the wheelchair despite interfering with self-propulsion.
When the setup of the wheelchair is driven by factors other than the needs of the wheelchair user, it is common for it to end up like this one was.
The wheelchair now self-propels in an acceptable manner. The rear wheels are still too far to the rear for optimum mobility, but this is a design limitation of this wheelchair. The backrest is also too high for my liking, but for a person used to a high backrest, it should be fine. The off-road tires are suitable for the terrain in Zimbabwe.
The video below shows the self-propelling performance of the wheelchair BEFORE modifications.
This next video shows how the modifications greatly improved my ability to self-propel the wheelchair.
#WheelchairFirstAid requires making modifications to that make a poorly functioning wheelchair more functional using the materals at hand. These modifications were easy for me to make since have access to a wide variety of aftermarket wheelchair wheels and parts. On the other hand, those withot access to replacement parts will have a more difficult time.
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