Stair Trac Owners Manual
Stair Trac Owners Manual
Stair Trac Owners Manual
Owner’s Manual
Stair-Trac has been designed to provide years of use in assisting physically disabled people to
overcome the barrier presented by stairs.
Before using the unit, please view the Operator Training DVD, and take a moment to read this
manual so you will have a thorough understanding of the operation of Stair-Trac. Ensure that Stair-
Trac is operated only by someone who has been properly trained.
Your Garaventa dealer is knowledgeable about the servicing requirements and safe operation of your
Stair-Trac. If you have any questions consult your dealer, or contact Garaventa by phoning
1-800-663-6556, email customerrelations@garaventalift.com, or by writing:
Name: _________________________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Telephone: __________________________________________________________________
Record your Stair-Trac serial number in the space below, and refer to it whenever you call your
Garaventa dealer about Stair-Trac.
The following procedures are important to ensure the safe operation of Stair-
Trac:
Do not use Stair-Trac on stairs that have not been checked by using the Stair
Slope Indicator. Refer to page 5.
A chart on page 26 shows the sizes of wheelchairs that can be attached to Stair-
Trac. Use Stair-Trac only with wheelchairs that conform to these ranges and
clearances.
Some small wheelchairs may not be able to be pulled over the tracks due to their
low underside clearances. These may be able to be attached by using the
Wheelchair Attachment Ramp. Refer to page 15 for details.
Do not use Stair-Trac when the total load being carried (passenger and
wheelchair) is more than 150 kg (330 Ibs).
Ensure the Wheelchair Support Handle is locked on the Drive Frame. Refer to
step 9 on page 7.
Ensure the Safety Belt is securely fastened, and that it passes under the arms of
the passenger.
Do not operate Stair-Trac if loose objects are hanging outside of the wheelchair.
Objects such as clothing or purses can be a safety hazard if they become caught
on the stairway or in the Stair-Trac drive mechanism.
To ensure the safety of the passenger and operator, read these operating
instructions carefully and view the Operator Training DVD. Practice sessions
should be held on a regular basis (monthly is recommended) to maintain
operator proficiency. In addition, building occupants for whom the Stair-Trac is
provided should be familiar with and comfortable in using Stair-Trac.
Note The note symbol is used to direct you to a section in this manual containing
additional operating tips.
The Stair Slope Indicator is used to assess whether the angle of the stairway is
within the optimum operating range of Stair-Trac. It should always be used.
Pin Clip
ATTACHING WHEELCHAIRS
1. Refer to page 26 to determine the types and sizes of wheelchairs that can be
attached to Stair-Trac.
2. Turn on the Key Switch located at the rear of the Drive Frame.
DETACHING WHEELCHAIRS
1. To release the wheelchair, carry out reverse procedure of the attaching steps.
ASCENDING STAIRS
Practice ascending stairs without a passenger until you feel confident of your
ability to use Stair-Trac. Practice ascending before you practice descending.
Practice descending stairs without a passenger until you feel confident of your
ability to use Stair-Trac. Practice ascending before you practice descending.
STORAGE
1. When attaching a small wheelchair, the chair’s cross-frame may contact the
tracks of Stair-Trac. The Wheelchair Attachment Ramp (optional item) can be
used to raise the wheelchair slightly and facilitate attachment and
detachment. Refer to “Wheelchair Attachment Ramp” on page 15.
2. Sometimes a wheelchair may be of such a height that with the Clamp Lock
Assembly under the curve of the handle you can almost, but not quite, lift the
Clamp Lock Assembly up to its next
highest locked position. Since it is
important to have as close a fit as
possible, move the wheelchair forward,
so the clamps are out from under the
chair handles,and raise the Clamp Lock
Assembly up to its next highest position.
4. Operating Stair-Trac near the inner core of a stairway will keep the stairway clear
for pedestrians, facilitate turning corners at the landings and provide your
passenger with an added sense of comfort.
5. A slight bump may occur as the Auxiliary Wheels rollover the first stair nose. This
is normal. If the tracks slip and can't seem to push Stair-Trac past this point,
simply lift up slightly on the handle while Stair-Trac is moving backwards. This
will provide added traction between the tracks and the floor, allowing the Wheels
to ride over the first stair nose.
6. On some stairways Stair-Trac may “bump” slightly at one or two points during
ascent or descent. This will not happen on all stairways, and occurs because the
spacing between lugs on the tracks does not always coincide with the spacing
between stair noses. When the top of a lug contacts a stair nose the Stair-Trac
will shift slightly to position the base of the track on the stair nose, resulting in a
slight “bump”. There is no cause for alarm as Stair-Trac is perfectly stable and
safe. You should inform your passenger that these “bumps” may occur so the
passenger is not alarmed.
7. The red “STOP” mark identifies the balance point of Stair-Trac. Under most
conditions the mark is accurate; however, balance points will vary depending on
the size of the wheelchair and the weight of the passenger. Always use caution
when tilting Stair-Trac backward or forward at this point.
To detach the wheelchair, move the Stair-Trac and passenger into position over
the ramp, then lower the wheelchair and detach it as described under “Detaching
Wheelchairs” on page 8.
Stair-Trac can easily be loaded into a van or a car trunk by using the Vehicle
Loading Ramp.
The Ramp was designed to support the Drive Frame only, and is not capable of
supporting Stair-Trac with a passenger.
4. Use the Directional Button on the Drive Frame itself to make the Drive Frame
crawl up the Ramp until it is balanced over the top edge of the Ramp.
5. (a) Cars:
Tilt the front of the Drive Frame into the car trunk. When the tracks rest on the
trunk floor, swing the back of the unit into the trunk, using the Directional
Button located on the Drive Frame to position Stair-Trac as required.
6. Place the Wheelchair Support Handle upside down on the top of the Drive
Frame. Refer to “Storage” (page 12).
General
Stair-Trac is powered by two 6-volt sealed batteries. These cells are spill-proof,
maintenance-free and rechargeable. Power capacity under a full load while travelling
upstairs is about 650 stairs or approximately 30 minutes on a full charge.
Charging Batteries
The Battery Charger is used to charge the Stair-Trac batteries from a standard power
supply outlet in the building. Your Stair-Trac comes supplied with a 12 volt Charger
designed for sealed batteries. It features the maximum recommended 4 amp charge
rate and will automatically switch to a trickle-charge rate when the batteries are close to
fully charged. The Charger may be left connected without fear of damaging the batteries
but should not be left connected indefinately. The trickle-charge feature is important to
prevent over-charging of the batteries and to help prolong their life.
Charging time will vary depending on battery use, but should not require more than
eight hours.
3. Plug the Battery Charger into an AC power supply. Acceptable power input is 100 –
240 VAC 50/60 HZ. The charger adjust automatically.
If a battery has been stored for a long period and has become discharged (but still
shows a voltage reading) it can be brought back to full charge by cycling it several
times. To do this, charge the battery about ten hours, then use it for a few minutes but
not long enough to totally discharge it. Then charge the battery again for about ten
hours… then use it for a few minutes. Cycle it this way about five times over a period of
two weeks and the battery may recover. Whether or not it does will depend on the age
of the battery and the care it has been given.
Storing Batteries
Stored batteries should be fully charged every three months during the storage period.
Storage for a long period without recharging may cause batteries to become unable to
be restored to capacity. This period will vary depending on what use the batteries have
had before storage, their depth of charge at the time of storage, and the storage
conditions.
To store the battery pack, disconnect it from the charger and store it in as dry and cool a
location as possible.
Alignment
It is important that tracks are aligned with each other to ensure that the track lugs
on both tracks contact a stair nose at the same time.
To check alignment, position a track so that a straight edge placed across the
Drive Frame lines up with a specific point on the track, for example the beginning
of a lug. Check the opposite track to ensure that the same relative point on the
track lines up with the same point on the straight edge.
Tension
Tension Adjustment
When decreasing tension, after turning the Adjusting Screw, press down on the
tracks to remove any slack in them and to relocate the rear axle.
Wear on Stair-Trac's tracks should be minimal and track life will be determined
by natural environmental conditions. The tracks contain hundreds of steel wires
to eliminate any possibility of stretching, and are covered by a thick coat of
rubber. They are very durable, but should be replaced if they are cut or cracked
in any way, or show signs of deterioration.
When re-installing the track, ensure the chalk mark you've made on the track
lines up with the chalk mark on the wheel. Check track alignment as outlined at
the beginning of this chapter.
Cleaning
To ensure maximum adhesion to stair surfaces, tracks must be kept clean and
free of oil and dirt.
In some cases wax applied to floor surfaces can be spread to the stairs by
pedestrian traffic. Over a period of time this wax will build up on the tracks,
causing poor traction between the tracks and the stairs, and resulting in Stair-
Trac slipping on the stairs.
Tracks can be cleaned using a mild detergent. Wax build-up can be removed
with household wax-removing products. The need for cleaning the tracks will
depend on the frequency that Stair-Trac is used, but we recommend that tracks
be cleaned at least twice yearly.
Similarly, the noses of the stairs that Stair-Trac routinely ascends or descends
should be cleaned regularly.
Bearings used in the motor, gearbox and drive wheels are sealed and require no
lubrication. All other moving parts except for the Locking Teeth should be lightly
oiled with medium weight oil such as automotive type SAE 30.
Charger won't recharge battery Poor connection between Check and tighten
charger and battery
Travels on stairs at an angle Tracks out of alignment Refer to page 20, or contact
dealer
Tracks slip on stairs Tracks out of alignment Refer to page 20, or contact
dealer
Tracks slip on first step Normal operation Refer to page 14, item 5
Stair-Trac can be used only with wheelchairs that are fitted with push handles. The push handles
must be securely fastened to the wheelchair frame.
WARRANTY REGISTRATION
A postage-paid warranty registration card is enclosed with this Owner's Manual. Complete and return
the card within ten days of your Stair-Trac purchase.