The main feature of the Ambulance is the side-mounted stretcher, attached via metal-elastic mounts that when combined with the sidecar's suspension, considerably smoothes the ride over rough ground.
The Immunisation Unit is able to carry two people plus all the necessary equipment to set up a mobile “clinic”. It is designed to reach areas that may be inaccessible to all but 4-wheel drive vehicles, but at a fraction of the cost.
The problem
How to bring the benefits of modern motorised transport to parts of the developing world where roads are either in poor repair or do not exist at all, while ensuring that the vehicles remain sustainable, thus becoming part of the success of a community and not a burden.
These problems have often been tackled by using traditional four-wheel drive vehicles. These are however, expensive to buy and replace, and more importantly costly and technically complex to run. Solo motorcycles do provide a cost effective solution but are limited in the loads that they can carry.
The solution - eRanger
The eRanger combines the benefits of a motorcycle with the cargo capacity of a sidecar, in a package that is cost effective, rugged and simple to maintain. Ideal for use by the local popualtion and already tried and tested in the hardest conditions the eRanger has proven to be extremely durable and reliable and is already making a positive impact in various parts of the world.
The basic unit can be adapted to provide solutions to a wide range of typical developing world problems, all in a package that is affordable, reliable, rugged and very importantly, sustainable within communities to help them become more self-reliant.
The concept of sustainability is further reinforced by the development of the maintenance unit that contains all the tools and equipment needed to properly maintain and repair a "fleet" of vehicles, as well as other equipment.
The motorbikes used are the Jialing JH125 and JH200. However, the versatility of the construction means that the unit can be driven by various lightweight, four-stroke off-road motorcycles designed to suit the customer's requirements.
Although the construction of the eRanger is relatively low 'tech' allowing easy repair, each unit is constructed using jigs and appropriate manufacturing techniques to ensure they are finished to the same high standard.
Training for riders or operators is available at our college in Eastern Cape South Africa, near East London. The training includes:
It can take as little as 5 hours to reach basic competence. Students are trained to deal with all of the various conditions and difficulties that driving in rural Africa can present. More advanced training can also be arranged.
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The test programme, a 2,000km durability test drive that is equivalent to 23,000kms of "real-life"- harsh terrain off-road usage, revealed a number of areas where improvements could be made. During a tough test like this, breakdowns are to be expected and it's only by conducting such tests that problems can be identified and improvements made. The Jialing JH 200 L motorcycle proved it was more than capable of driving the fully laden sidecar without any engine failures or problems noted. The test procedure has enabled us to develop modifications, which reduce maintenance intervention and improve durability.
During the "journey" two major accidents occurred and we can happily report that neither the bike was badly damaged nor the drivers seriously hurt; the main priority for the drivers that they didn't suffer a snake attack in the rough conditions. This justifies our firm belief that the units are safe to operate.
We are pleased with the results and will continue to test new versions and major modifications to ensure our high standards of structural integrity, operator training and general safety standards are maintained.