Electric Assist for Manual Wheelchairs: TGA Powerpack PLUS

Author: TGA Mobility
Published: 2014/03/15 - Updated: 2025/04/24
Publication Type: Product Release, Update
Category Topic: Wheelchair Accessories - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This product overview provides an in-depth overview of the TGA Powerpack PLUS, an electric assist device designed to propel manual attendant-controlled wheelchairs, particularly benefiting carers and users facing the challenges of moving heavier occupants. Developed in response to mounting evidence on the physical risks associated with pushing manual wheelchairs, the Powerpack PLUS boasts a substantial user weight capacity of 32 stone (448 pounds) and incorporates advanced features such as soft-start technology, enhanced safety mechanisms, a service performance indicator, and a robust 24V motor.

The article draws on clinical insights and data, including findings from a University of Dundee and NHS Fife white paper, which highlight the significant reduction in pain and health-related issues for carers using powered propulsion. Occupational therapists and healthcare professionals endorse the device for its ergonomic design, ease of fitting to most wheelchair types, and its ability to facilitate safer, more inclusive mobility for larger users. This information is authoritative and useful, drawing on clinical research, healthcare guidelines, and extensive real-world feedback, making it highly relevant for seniors, people with disabilities, carers, and care home managers seeking to reduce injury risk and improve quality of life for wheelchair users - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

TGA WTGA, the UK's leading mobility product specialist, will be unveiling its new Wheelchair Powerpack PLUS at Naidex National (29th April - 1st May, NEC, Stand B70) which now delivers a significant user weight capacity of 32 stone (448 Pounds).

Main Content

The TGA Powerpack is first choice for many leading healthcare providers, care home managers, carers and disabled individuals. It delivers the most effective, powered method to propel a manual, attendant controlled wheelchair and occupant. This market-leading product has been totally designed and built in the UK for over 25 years and through decades of TGA development, has evolved into a proven product that is trusted by 50,000+ carers worldwide.

The highly established Solo, Duo and Heavy-Duty models, now alongside the new PLUS, drive almost all types of wheelchair, including many specialist tilt-in-space models. They eliminate the difficulties posed for carers when negotiating slopes, ramps or uneven surfaces and significantly reduce manual handling risks. Each reliable model has a lightweight yet robust design, ergonomic controls and compatibility with the majority of wheelchair types through an infinite range of UK manufactured fittings.

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TGA is delighted to be launching the new Powerpack at Naidex National 2014.

This product innovation from TGA will help protect care teams and wheelchair attendants against back injury, muscle strain and poor posture as the trend towards heavier wheelchair occupants continues. Over and above relatives and friends in the community sustaining injuries from over exertion, staff sickness in the commercial care sector is a major concern in relation to wheelchair propulsion. If carers are subject to undue risks, behavior practices and care levels can be compromised. Care home managers and healthcare groups are also then exposed to higher levels of financial loss through potential lost 'man hours' or even costly litigation issues.

The heightened capabilities of the new TGA Powerpack PLUS have been developed in response to significant evidence, that continues to build, regarding the moving and handling risks associated with carers pushing manual wheelchairs. As an example, the 'Keeping the Wheels Turning' white paper produced by the University of Dundee in association with NHS Fife, states why power-packs significantly reduce pain and health-related difficulties for attendant carers: '...shoulder pain for example is over four times as common for carers propelling attendant propelled manual chairs as for those where the user has a powered chair. It is also noticeable that carers propelling manual wheelchairs are very much more likely to report heart, breathing or balance problems than those supporting powered wheelchair users...'

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This report also highlights that the Health & Safety Executive advises that a carer should not manually propel an occupant weighing more that 20kg - the average weight of a six-year-old child. Hence the manual propulsion of an adult that typically weighs 80kg, plus the weight of a 'standard' 12kg wheelchair, far exceeds safe limits for males and females to push. Within the data, it also confirms that without the use of powered momentum, the number of healthcare professionals complaining of back pain increases by 25%. Coupled with statistics demonstrating that the majority of wheelchair occupants and attendants are aged 40+, the health and mobility benefits of fitting a TGA Wheelchair Powerpack are heightened even further.

In addition to its remarkable higher user weight capacity, the new Powerpack PLUS incorporates several additional pioneering features to enhance both the occupant and attendant's mobility. These include advanced 'soft-start' technology, additional safety features, greater battery range and a service performance indicator.

The Powerpack hardware and software have been re-engineered to ensure powered activation is smooth and gradual, irrespective of how the control lever is operated.

This will now provide a more comfortable and relaxing transfer experience for occupants.

The PLUS has a reduced top speed of 3mph so that steering heavier occupants is safe, manageable and strain-free even on cambers. When the Powerpack reverse gear is selected, an automatic restriction limits power output to 60% so that maneuvering is hassle free. The new 24v motor and high-grade tires deliver greater torque for better traction and the 2 x 14ah batteries provide an impressive range of up to 10 miles, even with a bariatric occupant. In the unlikely event that maintenance is required, the new integrated service indicator displays the Powerpack's historic performance so faster repairs can be completed. Each PLUS is supplied with a two-year warranty and when off board charging is required, the battery pack can be quickly removed from the chassis without the need to disconnect complex wiring.

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The clinical benefits of the Powerpack for wheelchair attendants have been clearly recognized by numerous leading Occupational Therapists. Ailsa Reston of RKS, a Private OT Practice in Chester, has already commended the launch of this new 32 stone user capacity model. Ailsa said:

"When we have previously prescribed the TGA Powerpack, we have had complete confidence it is the best solution for propelling an attendant wheelchair. It is obvious from a clinical point of view, its design has been carefully considered to ensure unhindered walking as all TGA models fit further underneath wheelchairs than competitors' versions. It is fantastic to see that this new PLUS will greatly reduce moving and handling risks for carers attending to bariatric clients - a major issue faced by many of my peers in the sector."

Ailsa continues:

"We receive countless visits and inquiries from people with disabilities and their carers who are looking for powered assistance with propelling a wheelchair. With the growing trend towards larger care home residents and private individuals requiring propulsion, the new more powerful TGA model will make a significant difference. As Occupational Therapists, we are fully aware that there are many benefits for people to be able to access the community they live in. The ability to socialize with other people improves their well-being and lifts their mood. This pioneering TGA Powerpack PLUS will enable far more members of society to access these facilities and therefore improve quality of life for countless larger people. I would recommend it to all fellow healthcare professionals, care home managers and carers."

Daniel Stone, TGA Managing Director concluded:

"The TGA team and I are extremely proud to be launching this new, 24v Wheelchair Powerpack PLUS at Naidex National. We have pro-actively listened, reviewed and understood the needs of both wheelchair users and their carers so that a trusted solution could be introduced to solve bariatric mobility issues. This new product is the culmination of extensive R&D and investment that will now resolve a current challenge healthcare professionals face on a daily basis. The new PLUS will once again further reiterate our engineering prowess and 30-year proven heritage for manufacturing quality products, which deliver mobility with peace of mind. The TGA Powerpack is regularly copied but will never be equaled."

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by TGA Mobility and published on 2014/03/15, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.