MAN adapted four lorries for a French transportation company to make it possible for disabled drivers to use them. The vehicles now are equipped with a lifting platform so a wheelchair-using driver can easily access the cabin and all the controls are fitted on and around the steering wheel.
Guillaume Levaillant, who is the manager of the French transportation company Paratrans, used to work as an agricultural driver, and also drove heavy and superheavy vehicles until 1998 when he became paraplegic following surgery. Having got to use a wheelchair didn’t break his passion for the profession and founded his own company in 2012.
First, he had one adapted lorry for three years and worked as a subcontractor, then his business took a lucky turn and by now his company operates five lorries – mainly MANs, some of which have been specially adapted for his disability.
The alterations include an upper and lower light bar, rotating beacons, full air suspensions, cruise control, MAN TipMatic gearbox, chassis fairings, emergency brake signal (ESS), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA2), etc. And, in the XLX cab, there is a refrigerator, a sound system, a MAN Media Navigation pack, MAN TeleMatics and an on-board weighing system.
But above all, all the functions are behind and around the steering wheel.
“Thanks to MAN that supported me throughout the foundation of my company, I was able to carry out my plan. Today my TGX 580 tractor is equipped with a lifting platform that allows me to access the cabin. All functions are at the wheel, so I can drive without a problem. Three other MANs are also equipped with these functions, so I can change vehicles when” – Levaillant added.
Photo credits: MAN Truck and Buses
