Driving On A Slope - Sunrise Medical Quickie Q700 F Instructions For Use Manual

5.6 Driving on a slope

Your wheelchair has been designed and tested to allow its use
on slopes or gradients of up to:
Q700 M: 6° (10.5%) in standard configuration.
Q700 F: 6° (10.5%) in standard configuration.
Q700 R: 6° (10.5%) in standard configuration.
However, you have the option of adjusting your position with
the seat elevator, tilt in space, powered recline or powered
centre mount leg rest or a combination of these options.
DANGER!
• Elevating, tilting and leg rest adjustments can affect the
wheelchair centre of gravity. Under certain conditions this
might cause instability that could lead to unintentional
tipping. It may be necessary to carry out a risk assessment if
the wheelchair is adjusted to extremes.
• Stopping distances on slopes can be significantly longer
than on level ground.
DANGER!
• In certain circumstances your wheelchair could become
unstable.
• Before attempting to climb or descend a slope or a kerb,
caution should be taken when using weight shift options
(e.g. powered , recline or standing), of the seat and/or your
body for a counter balance weight.
• To improve stability lean forward when driving uphill, with
the seat and back in an upright position.
• Alternatively sit in an upright position when travelling in
a forward, downhill direction or and/or recline the seat
backwards.
• We strongly recommend that you return the seat and
back to their home positions before attempting to climb
or descend a slope. Failure to do this may cause the
wheelchair to become unstable.
• If you are in any doubt about the capabilities of your
wheelchair on a slope then do not attempt to drive up or
down the slope/kerb; try to find an alternative route.
Q700 M/F/R Rev.C
Gradients: ascents:
WARNING!
• When going uphill, keep the chair moving.
• Steer by carefully moving the joystick forwards making slight
Left and Right adjustments as you go.
• If you have stopped on a hill, you should start slowly.
• If necessary lean forward.
Gradients: descents:
On descents, it is important not to let the wheelchair accelerate
beyond its normal level of ground speed.
DANGER!
• Proceed slowly down steep descents, (below the speed of
5kph) and stop if you fell anxious.
• If the chair picks up speed, centre the joystick to its home
position to allow it to slow, or to stop.
• Restart slowly and do not allow the speed to increase above
what you are comfortable with.
NOTE:
• The controller has the benefit of a logic system that will help
compensate when driving along a camber or up a hill. This
is an added safety feature on your wheelchair. In addition of
course, you may control the wheelchair speed by using the
speed control.
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