WARNING • Thoroughly read and understand the information in this product manual before attempting to use this product. If the procedures and instructions in this product manual are not followed, serious injury or death could occur. • The TRAM may not be appropriate for all clients. The client’s therapist or physician should assess the appropriateness and safety of the TRAM for each user.
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• Using straps, trays, or supports to restrict a client’s movement is considered behavioral restraint. Rifton products are not intended for this use. • This product is intended for indoor use only and must not be used in or around water other than for bathing and shower transfers in accordance with instructions provided.
Use this key to determine which sections of this product manual apply to you. Technical Users For professionals who order and set up Rifton products. Home Users For care-givers who use Rifton products on a regular basis. Maintenance Personnel For anyone who is responsible for service or re-ordering of Rifton products and parts.
Recommended use The TRAM is a Class 1 medical device. It is a transfer and mobility device. For transfers it enables a qualified caregiver to lift a client in the seated posture and transfer the client between wheelchairs, chairs, toilets, beds or therapy tables. As a mobility device it helps a caregiver raise a client to a standing position, and then provides support for standing or ambulation.
Check your order Every TRAM comes with a front handle, a battery, a battery charger, a Rifton accessories tote and a scale if ordered. All other components are retrofittable and can be added later if desired. Please check that your TRAM has been outfitted as you ordered it. The TRAM requires some assembly before use.
Initial assembly instructions The front handle is removed for shipping and must be attached to the TRAM frame with four bolts: Remove the four bolts with 1. Figure 8a: the Allen wrench. Hold the front handle against 2. Figure 8b: the attachment point as shown, insert the bolts in the holes, and tighten them Figure 8a...
Control box To prevent inadvertent WARNING operation of the up/down switch when the TRAM is not in use, press the E-Stop button (A) to disconnect the battery. The control box houses the Figure 9a: microprocessor and rechargeable battery which power and control the TRAM’s electric actuator.
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depleted. A fully charged battery will give approximately 70 complete lift cycles. To prevent damage to the battery, charge it when the light turns yellow. The indicator light will extinguish 10 minutes after the last activation of the up/down switch. It will turn on again if the up/down switch is used or if a battery is inserted into the control box.
Base frame expansion system To avoid injury, ensure WARNING that all hands and feet are clear of the expansion handle and the base legs before expanding or retracting the base. The base frame expansion Figure 11a: system adjusts the width of the base frame from 27½”–...
Body support system To avoid injury, never WARNING operate the TRAM without the back belts in place. Always ensure that the release tabs on all buckles are fully latched before initiating a lift or transfer. Figure 12a The TRAM’s body support Figure 12a: system includes the body support pads, patient hand grips, ring clips, and the back...
Components Scale The scale has two purposes: it Figure 13a: can be used to measure a client’s weight, and to measure the weight a client is bearing during ambulation. To use the scale: Figure 13a • Turn on the display and use the lb/ kg button to display either pounds or kilograms.
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10 minutes. • The scale is accurate to one percent if used correctly. • Rifton recommends that the scale be calibrated by a qualified technician at three to five year intervals, depending on frequency of use. For instructions on service and calibration, please contact Rifton customer service.
Gait Tracker The Gait Tracker app allows Figure 15a: data from the TRAM scale to be displayed on mobile phones and tablets via a Bluetooth connection. The app has two primary functions. 1. It displays the weight measured by the scale, averaged over a 10 second interval for smoothness.
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Thigh straps Thigh straps are used to make Figure 16a: seated transfers. Choose either narrow (5”) or wide (7”), depending on the needs of your client. Additional straps can be purchased for individual clients. Figure 16a Pelvic support The pelvic support is used Figure 16b: for sit-to-stand transfers and supported ambulation.
Arm prompts Arm prompts give extra lifting Figure 17a: support and provide positioning support during ambulation for clients who have low muscle tone. Arm prompts adjust in many directions and angles to accommodate different positioning requirements. If arm prompts were purchased initially with the TRAM they will be attached and Figure 17a ready for use.
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Adjustments Figure 18a: Height adjustment Press button (A) and slide the post to the desired height. Loosen knob (B) to: • Slide the arm pad toward or away from the user. • Rotate up or down. Figure 18a • Rotate in or out. •...
Arm platforms Attaching/detaching see pp 17 – 18. Adjustments Height adjustment: Press the red button (A) and Figure 19a: slide the post to the desired height. Figure 19b: Figure 19a Loosen knob (B) to: 1. Tilt for forward or backward slant. 2.
Switch pole To prevent serious WARNING injury, a qualified caregiver must determine whether it is safe to place the up/down switch within reach of the client. Do not use the switch pole with clients of unreliable judgment. The switch pole is designed to place the up/ down switch within reach of the client in the TRAM, enabling either the client or the caregiver to adjust the height of the body...
Operation To avoid injury, do the following before and during WARNING every transfer: • Move the origin and the destination of the transfer as close to each other as possible. • Ensure that the body support system is positioned comfortably, correctly and securely, and that the safety buckles are properly engaged.
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Using thigh straps for a seated transfer: Clip one end of each thigh Figure 22a: strap onto the yellow clips at the front of the TRAM's body support system. Tip: To prevent outward movement of the thighs, the straps can be crossed in front and attached to the yellow clips on opposite sides.
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Raise the client. Watch Figure 23a: closely to make sure the client remains comfortable and does not sag (see Figure 23c). Unlock the caster brakes. Move the client to the transfer location. The TRAM base legs should be retracted for travel. Figure 23a Gently lower the client onto Figure 23b:...
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Using pelvic support for sit-to-stand or walking: Position the pelvic support 1. Figure 24a: under the client, either by lifting the client using the first four steps on page 22 – 23, or by folding the saddle, shifting the client to one side and positioning the saddle under the client one half at a time.
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Using the caster swivel locks Caster swivel locks allow the caregiver to control the TRAM’s movement in several ways by preventing one or more of the TRAM’s casters from swiveling. Tip: “Front” indicates the caregiver handle end. One lock on front caster: Allows both rear casters to swivel and steer fully in all directions while the front casters follow.
A display on the control box shows the current battery capacity. Battery charger When all fields of the display are black, the battery is fully charged. When a fuse symbol appears (see illustration), the battery must be re-charged immediately. To prevent shock or WARNING electrocution, do not charge batteries in a wet area.
Troubleshooting Scale display is blank Make sure four new AA batteries are inserted correctly. TRAM veers to the side. If the floor is uneven and TRAM veers to one side, we recommend the use of one or more swivel locks (see page 25 for use). Make sure all caster brakes are disengaged and casters spin freely.
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• Light on control box is green when battery is inserted but goes off when the up button is pressed. Battery doesn’t seem to hold a charge. When the battery is at the end of its useful life, the voltage may drop so rapidly that the indicator will no longer show orange or even red.
(front wheels have brakes) lead-acid gel-type batteries. (Replacement batteries available • Motor duty cycle: Two minutes from Rifton) continuous use followed by 18 minutes idle. • Battery charger: Wall-mounted • Turning diameter: 50" (127 cm) charger, 100 - 240 V AC, max 650 mA.
• Immediately remove this product from use when any condition develops that might make operation unsafe. • Do not use Rifton components or products for any purpose other than their intended use. • Replace or repair components or products that are damaged or appear to be unstable.
Warranty Statement If a Rifton product breaks or fails in service during the first year, we will replace it free of charge. Materials • Steel hardware items (nuts, bolts, screws, etc.) are typically zinc or nickel plated, or stainless steel.
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Use only replacement parts supplied by Rifton Equipment. We are glad to supply replacement parts. Although Rifton makes every effort to supply correct parts and instructions for repairing or refurbishing your equipment, you are responsible to make sure that the repairs or modifications are correctly and safely completed.
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