What Are Push Pull Hand Controls?

Push Pull Hand Controls Guide  

It’s easy to take driving for granted. If you’re able-bodied, having full use of your arms and legs makes driving a breeze in an environment where disabled drivers might otherwise struggle, but it doesn’t have to be like that.

There is any number of mechanical conversions that can be made to almost any car, van or truck that gives disabled drivers the same freedom and flexibility that everyone else can enjoy behind the wheel. One of the most popular is the installation of so-called ‘push pull’ hand controls, but what are they and how do they work? Let’s take a look.

People come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and abilities. 

Over the centuries, we have learned to adapt and overcome so many different challenges that it’s sometimes hard to realise just how much the simplest change can have on people. What might have once seemed impossible is now considered commonplace. The car is no different.

Push pull controls are designed specifically for those people who can’t, or have difficulty, operating the foot pedals on a car or van. This might be because they can’t reach, have limited mobility or simply lack the leg strength to push the pedals down.

With push pull controls, the layout is changed, so instead of having the pedal functions in the footwell, the handles are placed on (or within) the steering column. They can also be adapted to form an accelerator ring, which is placed under the original steering wheel.

The controls, however, they are installed, then operate the car in a way that gives them their name; ‘pull’ the handle to accelerate, release it to gradually decelerate and ‘push’ it away from you to actively engage the brakes.

The push pull hand controls can be fitted on both a left-hand and right-hand drive vehicle. In many cases, the foot pedals are retained and would continue to work as normal, however, a guard can be fitted to cover the pedals. This obviously blocks access to the pedals, although it is removable if another driver wants to use them, or they don’t feel comfortable with hand controls.

This type of control is designed primarily for automatic vehicles, i.e. those without an additional clutch pedal, but not exclusively. Further adaptation can take place on manual geared vehicles that means the clutch is automatically engaged when the gear stick is moved.

Take For Granted The Freedom 

Most of us think nothing about getting in the car and going for a drive out into the countryside or along the coast. We take for granted the freedom we get from driving and the open road, but thanks to push pull controls like these, it doesn’t have to be the sole preserve of able bodied people. It’s hard to understand just how many lives have been transformed through relatively simple adaptions such as these, but it has helped millions of disabled drivers to get behind the wheel and see the world in a whole new way.

Get in Touch

If you would like to find out more about how we, PB Conversions, can help you. Get in touch with our friendly team today on 01525 850588 or head over to our enquiry form where you can send us an email.