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WARNING
•
To prevent injury to your legs or knees, inspect under tables or other objects
before sliding the seat forward under them. Failure to do so may result in
injury due to hitting objects with your legs or knees.
5
Brake Release Levers
This section describes how to use the Brake Release Levers. You may want to release the
brakes and manually move the Model M when it is out of charge or otherwise inoperable.
The Brake Release Levers disengage the electromagnetic brakes from the motors. This is
called putting the Model M in “freewheel mode”. In freewheel mode there is no motor
power to the Model M AND there are no brakes. The Model M will move freely. A Model
M with one or both electromagnetic brakes released cannot be controlled using the
directional controller, even when the device is turned on.
Note that if you have the Model M in freewheel mode and try to turn it on you will see an
error code. This will occur with even one of the brakes released.
WARNING
•
Only disengage the brake locks (put the Model M in freewheel mode) for emergency
and short-term use only. When the brake locks are released, the chair movement
can only be stopped by external forces (a person or object). Failure to engage the
brake locks may result in damage and/or injury if the chair moves uncontrollably.
•
To prevent unintended movement, the Model M should be powered off whenever the
brake locks are being engaged or disengaged. Failure to turn the power off may
result in accidental device movement, resulting in a collision and possible damage
and/or injury.
•
Do not use the Model M on a slope when the brake locks are disengaged (in
freewheel mode). When the brake locks are released, the chair movement can only
be stopped by external forces (a person or object). Failure to engage the brake
locks when on a slope will make it extremely difficult to control or stop the Model M
movement and could result in serious injury.
Best practice when releasing the brakes:
•
Keep in mind that the Model M will be difficult to control in freewheel mode.
•
Be strongly aware of the environment around you, especially uneven surfaces,
obstacles and people.
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Figure 21. Some key driving limitations
WARNING
•
Do not operate the Model M on any streets, roads, or highways. Operating the
Model M on streets, roads, or highways may expose you to situations that may result
in severe damage and/or injury. Before crossing the street, make sure that any and
all drivers see you.
•
To prevent injury and/or damage, do not use the Model M in heavy snow or icy
conditions. The Model M is not designed for use in these types of conditions.
•
Do not drive the Model M through water deeper than 1”. Doing so may damage the
Model M components and make the Model M inoperable.
•
Do not operate the Model M on soft surfaces such as sand or mud. Doing so may
cause you to become stuck and unable to move the Model M.
•
Do not use the Model M on slopes greater than 17% as the device may become
unstable and tip over, resulting in damage and/or injury. The Model M has been
tested for stability on 17% slopes (10 degrees) and should only be used on slopes
less than 17%. For reference, a standard ramp with a railing going into a public
building has an 8.3% slope.
N026935.01F
320-00630-DHF.DO-01 User Manual Model M US rev 12internal print-paginated-side.pdf
Aug 15 2017 16:01:21