Vehicle lets disabled return to the woods
Posted by Howard Meyerson | The Grand Rapids Press December 07, 2007 13:01PM


Press Photo/Chris Potter
Outbound Mobility owner Steve Hilbrand demonstrates how his all-terrain wheelchair can climb over small logs.GRANT-

-Steve Hilbrand was looking for a way to help a paralyzed relative hunt when he stumbled upon a bent piece of metal that would change his life.
The 48-year-old tool and die shop owner was a lifelong tinker. It was not unusual for him to see possibility in a metal frame being sold by a defunct company auctioning off its property.

Add six wheels, a seat, a joystick and electric motor and it would might make a perfect all-terrain wheelchair for his cousin.

What he didn't anticipate was learning later that it might prove a hot item for millions of aging baby boomers and more ambulatory seniors who were looking for a little help getting out in the woods or on the ice.

"I was pretty excited. I immediately saw the potential," said Hilbrand, who founded Outbound Mobility three years ago to manufacture the 6X Power ATV. Hilbrand plans to bring the electric all-terrain chair to market early next year.

The 6X Power ATV is driven by batteries. It can turn on a dime, go 8 miles an hour, travel nearly 10 miles on a charge and has enough power to drag a deer home a mile or more.

Being all-wheel drive allows it to go through shallow mud, snow and loose sand. It can travel through the woods, up and down hills or along trails.

A roll cage, headlights, GPS and even a camouflage blind are some of the optional accessories that are available. The basic vehicle is expected to sell for about $10,000. The price will go up from there depending on the equipment.

"I wasn't planning on going into business back then, just making something for my cousin Greg," Hilbrand said. "But when I saw the part, I said: 'Wait a minute, this could be something.' ''

Something indeed.

Hilbrand bought the part. In fact, he bought all the parts, the patent and Fox American, the Grand Rapids-area company that produced the original six-wheeled scooter capable of going 3 to 4 mph. The company sold two of the devices before it closed.

"It is the only six-wheel-drive cart we know of," said Terry Fett, a friend and advisor to Hilbrand. "Most are four-wheel vehicles with two-wheel drive.

"Steve improved it with new motors and chain-drive technology. The controller (joystick) has a small computer onboard which allows it to be programmed for a fast or slow start and an infinite number of speeds up to 8 mph."

Hilbrand, who lost his business, Diversified Tool Co., in a fire three years ago, used his insurance settlement to go forward. What began as a tinker's dream has since evolved into a business.

Hilbrand has since spent $300,000 to develop a prototype he can bring to market this next year. He is optimistic about the product reception. A market forecast produced for Hilbrand by WinterGreen Research, a strategic marketing company, forecasted the global demand for wheelchairs and scooters (power) at to be $1.7 billion in 2005 and $5.3 billion in 2012.

"People will buy them because it will give them their life back," said Fett, an entrepreneur in his own right and the mayor of Grant. "People can have hip problems, knee problems, heart problems, but they still want to do what they used to do."

Hilbrand began tinkering as a young boy, tearing apart washing machines, pumps, whatever he could get his hands on.

"I'm sure I cost my parents a lot of money," he said, smiling. "I was always busy trying to build something."

He was in college when he tried to help one of his cousins who lost a hand in a farm accident. Hilbrand tried to build an artificial hand, but the project didn't go very far.

Other adaptive devices drew his interest. Hilbrand describes himself as someone who likes helping others "less fortunate."

That motivated him some years ago to develop a mechanical lift for his cousin who had trouble moving from his wheelchair to his kayak. A second lift he later designed allowed his cousin to hunt deer from an elevated position. The machine worked just fine, according to Hilbrand, but his cousin didn't like the height.

"Ironically, I did poorly in math and welding in high school," he said.

That changed later on once he realized the importance of both in the metal working field. Hilbrand opened his own tool and die company in 1980. The fire totaled the company in 2005.

It took three years of tinkering and regrouping, but Hilbrand believes the 6X cart is ready for public scrutiny. Trial runs earlier this year with disabled hunters drew smiles of satisfaction, he said.

"Anyone who has seen it has gotten excited about the opportunity to help disabled people," he said. "I took some time to collect my thoughts (after the fire). The tool and die business was my life.

"But I've decided to move forward and focus on developing these."
http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2007/1..._return_t.html