Handicare Puma 40 User Manual page 19

Curves
Note!
Never take curves at full speed. Decrease your
speed before taking a curve.
Use the indicators when changing direction.
Braking/Emergency stop
To brake, move the joystick to the neutral
position or release completely. The wheelchair
will then brake automatically. An emergency
stop can also be made by releasing the joystick.
Stopping distance:
• 6 km/h: 1 meter
• 10 km/h: 2 meter
Warning!
When driving avoid the following:
Do not push the on/off button.
Do not change to driving in the opposite
direction suddenly.
In such cases, the wheelchair will come to
an abrupt standstill with a sudden jolt. Not
only is this uncomfortable, it could lead to the
wheelchair tipping over if on a slope.
Driving on a slope
When all of the adjustment options are set
to the standard position (see chapter 3.5),
a gradient of ≤10˚ (17.6%) is deemed to
be a normal user environment for an RWD
wheelchair without there being any danger
of instability. For an FWD model this is ≤ 10˚
(17.6%).This information can be found in the
technical specifications under 'maximum safe
slope'.
Slopes steeper than the normal user
environment
Driving on slopes with a gradient greater than
the maximum safety limit may lead to safety
risks with respect to stability. This requires
great care and complete control on the part of
the user. Always drive carefully and never take
unnecessary risks! Follow the instructions given
Use of the wheelchair | 19
by the warnings!
The stability and performance of a wheelchair
depend on a number of variables. Wheelchairs
are adapted to the needs of individual users.
This is why variables will differ from wheelchair
to wheelchair. You should therefore ask your
dealer to inform you about how to use the
wheelchair and whether the specific settings
and adjustments for your own situation can
influence the driving characteristics of the
wheelchair.
Warning!
When driving on a slope, always drive carefully
and with the utmost concentration.
Avoid sudden, jerky movements.
Avoid making emergency stops on a slope.
Avoid changing direction on a slope whenever
possible.
Do not turn on a slope.
Only drive up a slope with all the adjustment
options set to the neutral position.
Never drive in reverse on a slope.
Do not drive on slopes with loose gravel or a
sandy surface, as one of the driving wheels
could slip/spin.
Do not drive on slopes for extended periods
of time in order to prevent the motor from
overheating.
When driving down a slope forwards in an FWD
wheelchair, use an anti-tip mechanism.
If you notice a significant decrease in speed
when driving up a slope, take a route which is
less steep.
Prevent the wheelchair from gaining too much
speed when driving downhill.