We develop products designed specifically for the need of our customers, backed up by a comprehensive infrastructure of training, support and maintenance solutions.
The eRanger is a versatile and robust vehicle design to enable access over the toughest terrain to deliver its varied cargo safely and in one piece, ready to go into action quickly and easily.
Whether it's a patient needing hospital treatment or a media kit for making presentations there is a unit that will suit your needs.
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 population 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.Our Founder
The company was started by Mike Norman, Managing Director and inventor. His inspiration came some years ago, while he was watching a television programme which aimed to raise money to buy a four-wheel drive ambulance for use in Africa. With his experience and love of motorcycles Mike felt that he could produce a similar, yet more versatile product for a fraction of the cost. Thus the Ranger LifeCycle was born.
Product Development
After much experimentation and two years of successful trials in Zimbabwe, Mike's invention won the coveted Worldaware Shell Technology Award for Development in 1999. As a direct result of winning this award, Robert Deacon Elliott brought the project to the attention of HRH Prince Bandar Bin Sultan.
Key Sponsors & Supporters
Prince Bandar immediately saw The Ranger LifeCycle as a most effective means of instantly and sustainably bringing health care transport to many people who were less fortunate than us, and offered his full support and sponsorship.
On hearing of the project the then President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, endorsed the humanitarian benefits of The Ranger LifeCycle by becoming a Patron. Although Madiba has now passed on, he remains our eternal Patron in spirit.
Today there are over 2000 eRangers operating in more than 20 countries saving lives.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 population 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:
Off-road riding (on our specially designed off-road test track)
Basic control
Essential maintenance
Road riding
It can take as little as 5 hours to reach basic competence. Students are trained to deal with all the various conditions and difficulties that driving in rural Africa can present. More advanced training can also be arranged.
AMBULANCE
The Ambulance has been developed to provide transport to and from local health-centres, providing communities with the means to take advantage of distant and widespread health-care resources. Able to safely and comfortably carry one patient and an outreach medical worker, plus emergency supplies for on-site treatment, it can greatly reduce the time taken to get essential and urgent medical assistance to remote communities.
Every Ambulance has a specialist leading link front suspension system fitted as standard, improving the Ambulance’s already impressive off-road and on-road capability. In addition, complete patient protection is ensured with additional “roof” bars and an all-weather cover.
Patient transfer has been improved with a novel hinged section allowing easy access to the stretcher’s flat platform. 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 stretcher itself has multiple functions.
When flat, a prone patient can be carried, protected by an all-weather cover. It then also converts into a suspended chair. In both positions there is storage space at the rear of the sidecar. The chair position is suitable for the walking wounded, sick and expectant mothers.
MOBILE CLINIC
Even in today’s high technology health care environment, good basic primary health care is still a huge factor in improving national health markers and individual health. The need for primary care does not stop outside the clinics doors and is increasingly important in rural sub-Saharan Africa where infrastructure and service provision restrict access to a large portion of the population.
In order to meet the challenge in providing primary care interventions to these isolated populations the Ranger Production Company has developed the eRanger Mobile Immunisation Clinic Unit.
Design Considerations
The new design includes many new ideas and equipment, the new unit has been based on the successful and durable eRanger Ambulance platform.
The eRanger Immunisation/Clinic unit has been specifically designed for primary health care in rural areas with many features that benefit local medical staff and enhance their ability to carry out primary care clinics in remote rural locations.
The self-contained unit can transport two healthcare workers into the field and can be set up at a point of use in a few minutes. The unit is designed to reach areas that may be inaccessible to all but 4-wheel drive vehicles, but at a fraction of the cost.
Effectiveness
Each unit has a set of standard features shown below; we have also incorporated the ability to vary the loads thereby allowing the unit to perform varied primary care tasks including:
Sputum Collection
White Blood Cell Monitoring
Immunisation
Drug distribution such as anti-retro viral
Post-natal checks
Current Standard features and equipment:
Stainless-steel, wipe clean, work surfaces fold out to over 2m
Built in sink
X3 Stainless steel bowl
Sharps box for safe needle/syringe disposal
Scales for babies, infants and adults
Electrical power sockets (12v)
A digital infra-red non-contact Thermometer
To ensure patient privacy and dignity during consultations, the whole unit is fitted within an easy to erect 3 metre sq canopy shelter
Cargo space for additional equipment. Capability to carry medical supplies and medication suitable for a broad spectrum of clinical uses
An aneroid sphygmanometer.
Clean water storage, up to 20 litres
An Otoscope
Needle cutter to ensure safety and stop needle reuse
An Ophthalmoscope
A duel head Stethoscope
Two-fold up chairs
Lockable Drug Storage
Optional features and equipment:
A white blood cell monitor
MOBILE EDUCATION
Education is the most significant source of improvement in self-reliance and development. Being able to provide enhanced educational experiences to people in the most inaccessible areas has always been difficult. In order to provide these services eRanger has developed the eRanger Education Unit.
Equipped with a CD/DVD player, wireless microphone system, and a full-size screen to present to an audience of 250 plus, the Education Unit is a cinema that is versatile and mobile. Able to carry all the equipment necessary to present to an eager audience.
The power for the media kit is supplied from a compact generator. There is ample storage within the unit for leaflets and educational supplies.
Its function can also be enhanced by additional audio-visual equipment and aids. Each eRanger Education Unit is built and equipped to the customer's specification.
