Welding The Wheelchair Ramp

If you have ever considered building a wheelchair ramp, here is a simple set of plans developed by a competitor in one of the past James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation School/Shop Award programs. So, gather up your materials, practice your welding skills and jump in!

A ramp was needed to aid the physically handicapped students, participating in a therapeutic horsemanship program. The ramp would provide a way for a person confined to a wheelchair to mount a horse while the horse is standing. The ramp would provide a way for a person confined to a wheelchair to mount a horse while the horse is standing. The ramp would save the college much needed time and money, because the horses would not have to be specially trained to lie down while being mounted.

The structure consists of a 16' x 5' ramp, and a 5' x 5' platform which can be connected by small latches on each side. The ramp was constructed of two parts to make it easier to move. Both the ramp and the platform have locking swivel casters so they can be rolled instead of carried. The mobility of the ramp was a necessity, because trucks would unload where the ramp was positioned.

The ramp and platform were both constructed of 1-1/2" square tubing with 1" square tubing braces in the floor and hand railing. The floor was covered with 3/4 #9 expanded metal with a 4" kick plate made of 1/8" steel running around the floor of the platform and ramp. The kick plate was a safety device to keep feet and the front of the wheelchairs from going under the hand rails. The front kick plate was designed with a 3/4" sucker rod positioned on top of it to protect the horses and riders from the sharp edge while mounting.

The ramp measures 3' in height at the front and 1" at the rear. Below this is a small ramp, made of 1" square tubing covered in expanded metal. It aids the wheelchairs in entering. It folds up to allow moving of the large ramp. The hand rails are 3' high with vertical supports every 4'. The vertical supports in the platform's hand rails are centered at 2-1/2".

Next article: Portable Wheelchair Ramps