Local quadriplegic works his own vineyards with off-road wheelchair
The Track Ripchair 3.0 for wheelchair-bound people.
Mark McCue able to navigate hills and valleys of vineyard with revolutionary new vehicle
–The Track Chair Ripchair 3.0 is manufactured by a company called Howe and Howe Technologies. This company specializes in extreme vehicles; vehicles that can withstand any number of forces, even from Mother Nature. Howe and Howe’s technological vehicles are used in and serve many national forces such as the United States military and the country’s police as well as those that serve the country fighting fires; but another most amazing accomplishment by Howe and Howe Technologies is its invention of the Ripchair, a creation the offers those confined to wheelchairs a life in the adventurous outdoors.
In the case of a local San Miguel man, the Ripchair has fulfilled a dream to be able to maneuver his own property and tend to his vineyards. Central Coast habitant Mark McCue has been a quadriplegic 25-years, and was featured in an issue of Faces of Spina Bifida Magazine. Because of this ingenious invention, McCue is able to navigate the hills and valleys of the California property where he lives. He owns a vineyard in San Miguel and the Ripchair enables him to tend his zinfandel grapes vineyards himself.
Mark McCue on San Miguel vineyards. Photo from Faces of Spina Bifida.
McCue uses the Ripchair to tend the zinfandel grapes on his vineyard, as well as tow a mower over the property. He used to use an ATV for these tasks, making transfers extremely difficult and and though it was better than nothing, it simply did not allow him the freedom to access the hills and vineyards like the Ripchair does.
CEO, Geoff Howe said that the Ripchair was purposefully constructed for those confined to wheelchairs. There were three focal points the company stressed – first, ease of transfer; second, the ability to go anywhere and finally, to be able to maneuver rugged terrain.
The Ripchair is making waves across the country because of its ability to maneuver on-road and off-road. People that are physically challenged yet have adventuresome personalities, and outdoor spirits, and yet are confined to wheelchairs, can now partake in an abundance of outdoor activities.
The vehicle is a massive piece of machinery that enables a wheelchair to conform directly to its mechanical body. Each Ripchair is customized per consumer, including, but not limited to, tailored storage compartments, gun holders, cup placements, fishing rod holders, hand controls, and more.
According to Howe and Howe Technologies, since delivering the first Ripchair last year, twenty more customers have purchased the magnificent piece of machinery and the number is climbing daily.
To see how it works go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DXp6G52l_
For more information go to www.howeandhowe.com/ripchair—off-road-wheelchair-page.html, or call (207) 247-2777.
