Founder answers questions about Mobility Carts parts.

By technologists

Maker of the Mobility Cart since 1994.
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Mobility Worldwide MO-Columbia Update: 1,581 built since 1-1-17

Our shop and warehouse at 1908 Heriford Road here in Columbia hosts a lot of tour groups, large and small. Here are some of the questions they ask that might interest you readers.

*** “Where do you get that nice wood you use for the cart beds?” Answer: That is clear yellow pine that comes to us from Arkansas, through the special efforts of a local lumber dealer. It has been kiln dried, pressure treated to resist rot and insects, and then kiln dried again. We want the best for those we serve. Most carts go to areas where rot and termites are in abundance. Many cart recipients have no inside storage space.

To illustrate the importance of treated wood I tell you this story. We got a report back on a shipment into Africa. They had to store the carts for a few weeks, and when they opened the boxes they found the termites had found them. Our cart builders had inadvertently used a few untreated corner posts for the beds. The termites found them and ate only those pieces, ignoring all the other. Fortunately they were able to replace those. Another reason for using this wood is that there is almost no shrinkage.
*** “What is powder painting?” Answer: Powder painting is an electronic process that uses dry paint which is attached to the metal by a magnetic process, then baked on. It is a top-of-the-line process, both in appearance and endurance. Fortunately we have a local business that donates that work. (Side note: Kathy Maynard’s, Business Administrator, son is an engineer at our supporter’s business. This year the powder booth operation was put under his charge. Eric has been involved in helping out in little ways over the years from mowing at the shop to helping her with computer problems/questions and now again thru his job. How about that?)

*** “Why do you have those brightly colored little squares posted around on the cart?” Answer: Those are reflectors, donated by a company and cut into pieces by volunteers. We have no lights on the carts and these light up brightly at night when lights are shined on them. They are for safety.

*** “What if they have a flat tire?” Answer: To avoid that we use only solid rubber tires, the kind farmers use on field mowers, etc.
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“Quality is best measured by those who use a product, rather than by those who make it.” by Hunter Thompson

Mel West, Director Emeritus
DBA Mobility Worldwide MO – Columbia