Braun Corporation VISTA 02 Series User manual

"Providing Access to the World"
International Corporate Hdqrs: P.O. Box 310 Winamac, IN 46996 USA
1-800-THE LIFT [phone] FAX: [phone]
®
®
Commercial Wheelchair Lifts
Operator's Manual for:
Series 02
VL917IB
VL917IB
Operator's Manual
Operator's Manual
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Read manual
before operating
lift. Failure to do
so may result in
serious bodily
injury and/or
property damage.
Keep manual in
lift storage pouch.
Oper
ual
Man
ator's
Americans With
Disabilities Act
Americans With
Disabilities Act
ADA
complying with
complying with
ADA
Patent #5,261,779
Patent #6,238,169
Patent #6,065,924
Patents Pending
Patent #5,261,779
Patent #6,238,169
Patent #6,065,924
Patents Pending
28233-02
May 2003
Series 02 VL917IB
Series 02 VL917IB

Congratulations
We at The Braun Corporation wish to express our fullest appreciation
on your new purchase. With you in mind, our skilled craftsmen have de-
signed and assembled the finest lift available.
This manual includes safety precautions, lift operating instructions,
manual operating instructions, and instructions for maintenance and lubrica-
tion procedures.
Your lift is built for dependability, and will bring you years of pleasure
and independence, as long as maintenance is performed regularly and the lift
is operated by an instructed person.
Sincerely,
THE BRAUN CORPORATION
Ralph W. Braun
Chief Executive Officer

Page 1
Contents
Lift Terminology
Lift Terminology Illustration ........................................ 2
Introduction ................................................................ 3
Direction ..................................................................... 3
Lift Components ..................................................... 4, 5
Power/Interlock Indicator Light................................... 5
Lift Actions and Functions .......................................... 6
Lift Operation Safety
Safety Symbols .......................................................... 7
Lift Operation Safety Precautions .........................8-11
Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
Lift Access Doors and Lift Interlocks ........................ 12
General Safety ......................................................... 13
Lift Control Switches ................................................ 13
Lift Features
Lift-Tite Latches™ ....................................... 14, 15
Automatic Inboard Roll Stop ....................... 16, 17
Automatic Outboard Roll Stop..................... 17, 18
Handrails ..................................................... 18, 19
Interlocking Restraint Belt ........................... 19, 20
Lift Passengers
Passenger Orientation (Boarding Direction) ..... 20
Standees ..................................................... 20, 21
Yellow Boundaries ............................................ 21
Vehicle (Floor Level) Loading and
Unloading .................................................... 21, 22
Wheelchair-Equipped Occupant Seat Belts ....... 22, 23
Operation Procedure Review ................................... 23
Preventive Maintenance........................................... 24
Lift Operating Instructions ...............................25-29
Manual Operating Instructions ........................30-34
Decals and Antiskid ..........................................35-37
Maintenance and Lubrication ......................... 38, 39
Warranty/Registration Instructions ................ 40, 41

Page 2
UNFOLD
(OUT)
FOLD
(IN)
DOWN
UP
Pump
Module
(Rear)
Towers (2)
(Upright Supports)
Pump Side
Cylinder Base
Plate
Top Parallel Arms (2)
Opposite Pump Side Cylinder
Vertical Arm Covers (4)
Opposite Pump Side Vertical Arm
Handrails (2)
Platform Side Plates (2) Automatic
Outboard
Roll Stop
Rotating Pivot Slide Arms (2)
Pump Side Vertical Arm
Bottom Parallel Arms (2)
Automatic
Inboard Roll Stop
and
Bridge Plate
(IB)
OutboardLeft (Rear)
Right (Front)Inboard
Lift Terminology
Illustration
Lift-Tite™Latches (2)
Unfold Assist Compression Springs (2)
Interlocking
Restraint Belt
Platform Pivot Fold Arms (2)
Hand-Held
Attendant's
Control Box
Roll Stop Activation Feet (2)
Outboard
Platform
Inboard
Platform
Power/Interlock
Indicator Light
Adjustable Guided Stow Blocks (2)

Page 3
Lift Terminology
Introduction
Braun VL917 Vista Series lifts
are ADA compliant and com-
mercial oriented (intended for
operation by an attendant).
VL917 Series lift models can be
equipped with left or right side
pump modules as needed. Lift
model numbers with suffix “F”
are right side (front) pump-
equipped and model numbers
without suffix “F”are equipped
with a left side (rear) pump. A
left side pump-equipped lift
model is depicted in the Lift
Terminology Illustration. Right
side pump lift models are a
mirrored image of rear pump
models (pump module located
on opposite end of base plate).
Refer to the Lift Terminology
Illustration for identification of
lift components.
Lift operation procedures are
identical for all VL917 Series lift
models. The operating instruc-
tions contained in this manual
and appearing on lift-posted
operating instructions decals
address the lift control switches
and the corresponding lift
functions. Instructions are
provided for manual operation
of the lift in event of power or
equipment failure.
Terminology: Become familiar
with the terminology that will be
used throughout this manual.
Become familiar with the identifi-
cation of lift components and
their functions. Contact your lift
sales representative or call The
Braun Corporation at 1-800-THE
LIFT if any of this information is
not fully understood.
Direction: The terms "left (rear),"
"right (front)," "inboard," and
"outboard" will be used through-
out this manual to indicate
direction (as viewed from outside
the vehicle looking directly at the
lift). Refer to the Lift Terminology
Illustrations for clarification of
direction terms.

Page 4
Lift Terminology
The control box is equipped with
two color-coded rocker switches,
(UNFOLD/FOLD and DOWN/UP).
The switches activate the auto-
matic lift functions. Details
regarding the control switches
and their functions are provided in
the Pre-Lift Operation section
(page 13).
Lift Frame: The lift frame
consists of the base plate, two
towers, the parallel arms, the
vertical arms, platform pivot arms
and the handrails. The two main
hydraulic cylinders are housed in
the parallel arms. The electrical/
hydraulic powered lift frame
components mechanically unfold,
lower, raise and fold the lift
platform assembly.
Platform Assembly: The lift
“stacking”platform assembly is
made up of an inboard platform
section and an outboard platform
section (each section consiting of
a steel tubing frame with grating
surface). The inboard roll stop
and bridge plate assembly (IB) is
mounted to the inboard platform
section. The outboard platform
section is equipped with the
outboard roll stop.
Lift-Tite™Latches: The spring
loaded latches prevent the
platform from unfolding from the
stowed position in the event of
platform drift. Further details
regarding Lift-Tite™latches are
provided on pages 14 and 15.
Outboard Roll Stop: The spring
loaded automatic outboard roll
stop provides a ramp for wheel-
Lift Components
Refer to the Lift Terminology
Illustration on page 2.
Pump Module: The lift-mounted
pump module consists of the
hydraulic pump, the manual hand
pump and electrical components
that power the lift electric/hydrau-
lic systems. Note: A green
power/interlock indicator light is
built into the pump module (see
page 5 for further details).
Hand-Held Switch Control Box:
The “quick-disconnect”hand-held
control switchbox is connected to
the pump module. “Quick-
disconnect”hand-held controls
are available with three types of
cable (standard, armored and
coiled).

Page 5
Lift Terminology
chair loading and unloading at
ground level. Photos and further
details regarding the outboard roll
stop are provided in the Pre-Lift
Operation Notes section (pages
17 and 18).
Automatic Inboard Roll Stop
and Bridge Plate: VL917 lift
models are equipped with an
automatic inboard roll stop that
also serves as the bridge plate.
The bridge plate bridges the gap
between the lift platform and the
vehicle floor. The roll stop/bridge
plate automatically rotates from
the horizontal (bridging) position
to the vertical (roll stop) position
as the lift lowers and raises.
Further details regarding the
automatic mechanical inboard
roll stop are provided on pages
16 and 17.
Pump Module
Indicator Light
Power/Interlock Indicator Light:
A green indicator light is built
into the pump module that
illuminates when remote
interlock(s) are made (circuit
complete), there is power to
the lift and the interlocking
handrail belt is buckled. All
three conditions must be met.
The light will shut off if the
handrail belt is unbuckled (lift
functions are disabled also).
An illuminated light indicates
the lift is operational.

Page 6
Lift Terminology
Lift Actions and Functions
UNFOLD (Out) - Platform
Unfold: Unfold is the action of
the platform rotating out and
down from the fully-stowed
(vertical) position to floor level
(horizontal) position when the
UNFOLD switch is pressed.
DOWN - Platform Lower: Down
is the action of the platform
lowering from floor level position
to fully-lowered (ground level)
position when the DOWN switch
is pressed.
DOWN - Roll Stop Unfold
(Deploy) - When the platform
reaches the fully-lowered
(ground) position and the DOWN
switch is continued to be pressed,
Stowed Position: The lift is
stowed when the lift platform has
been fully raised and folded fully
(vertical position).
Floor Level: Floor level is the
position (height) the platform
assembly reaches in order for the
wheelchair passenger to enter
and exit the vehicle (fully raised).
The platform automatically stops
at floor level when unfolding from
the stowed position and when
raising from ground level.
Note: Further details regarding
lift control switches and the
corresponding lift functions are
provided in the Pre-Lift Operation
Notes and Details section.
the outboard roll stop rotates
downward from vertical position
to ramp position.
UP - Platform Raise: Up is the
action of the platform raising from
ground level to floor level (fully-
raised) position when the UP
switch is pressed.
UP - Roll Stop Fold (Raise): As
the platform begins to raise off
the ground, the spring-loaded roll
stop rotates from ramp position to
vertical position.
FOLD (In) - Platform Fold: Fold
is the action of the platform
rotating up and in from the floor
level (horizontal) position to fully-
stowed (vertical) position when
the FOLD switch is pressed.

Page 7
Safety Symbols
Lift Operation Safety
SAFETY FIRST! Know That....
C
CAUTION
This symbol indicates
important information
regarding how to
avoid a hazardous
situation that could
result in minor per-
sonal injury or prop-
erty damage.
A
supplements (if included), is
provided for your safety. Famil-
iarity with proper operation
instructions as well as proper
maintenance procedures are
necessary to ensure safe,
troublefree operation. Safety
precautions are provided to
identify potentially hazardous
situations and provide instruction
on how to avoid them.
All information contained
in this manual and B
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This symbol indicates
important safety
information regarding
a potentially hazard-
ous situation that
could result in serious
bodily injury and/or
property damage.
DNote: Additional information provided to help clarify or detail a specific subject.
These symbols will appear throughout this manual as well as on the labels posted on your lift. Recognize
the seriousness of this information.

Page 8
Lift Operation Safety Precautions
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If the lift operating
instructions, manual
operating instructions
and/or lift operation
safety precautions are
not fully understood,
contact The Braun
Corporation immedi-
ately. Failure to do so
may result in serious
bodily injury and/or
property damage.
Read manual and supplement(s) before operating lift. Read
and become familiar with all safety precautions, pre-lift
operation notes and details, operating instructions and
manual operating instructions before operating the lift. Note:
Wheelchair passengers and all transit agency personnel
(drivers and wheelchair lift attendants) must read and
become familiar with the contents of this manual and
supplement(s) before operation.
Load and unload on level surface only.
Engage vehicle parking brake before operating lift.
Provide adequate clearance outside the vehicle to accom-
modate the lift before opening lift door(s) or operating lift.
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Lift Operation Safety
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Inspect lift before operation. Do not operate lift if you suspect lift damage, wear or any
abnormal condition.
Keep operator and bystanders clear of area in which the lift operates.
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Whenever a wheelchair passenger (or standee) is on the platform, the:
•Handrail belt must be latched.
•Passenger must be positioned fully inside yellow boundaries
•Wheelchair brakes must be locked
•Roll stops must be up (vertical)
•Roll stop latch must be fully engaged
•Passenger should grip both handrails (if able).
Load and unload clear of vehicular traffic.
Do not overload or abuse. The load rating applies to both the raising and lowering
functions - continuous lifting capacity is 800 lbs.
Do not operate or board the lift if you or your lift operator are intoxicated.
Do not raise front wheelchair wheels (pull wheelie) when loading (boarding) the platform.
Open lift door(s) fully and secure before operating lift.
Position and secure (buckle, engage, fasten, etc.) the wheelchair-equipped occupant
seat belt (torso restraint) before loading onto the wheelchair lift platform.
Lift attendants must ensure that lift occupants keep hands, arms and all other body parts
within the lift occupant area and clear of moving parts.
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Lift Operation Safety
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Lift Operation Safety Precautions (continued)
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If the lift operating
instructions, manual
operating instructions
and/or lift operation
safety precautions are
not fully understood,
contact The Braun
Corporation immedi-
ately. Failure to do so
may result in serious
bodily injury and/or
property damage.
Lift Operation Safety
Platform must be positioned at floor level (bridge plate
height) when loading or unloading in and out of vehicle.
Do not use platform roll stops as a barrier (brake). Stop and
brake wheelchair when loading onto the platform (manually
stop and brake manual wheelchairs —stop powered wheel-
chairs with the wheelchair controls).
Turn powered (electric) wheelchairs off when on lift platform.
Press the DOWN switch until the entire platform rests on
ground level (lowered fully) and the outboard roll stop is fully
unfolded (ramp position) before loading or unloading a
passenger at ground level.
Outboard platform roll stop must be fully unfolded (ramp
position) until front and rear wheelchair wheels cross roll
stop when loading or unloading at ground level.
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Accidental activation of control switch(es) may cause unintended operation(s).

Page 11
Lift Operation Safety
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Maintenance and lubrication procedures must be performed as specified in this manual by
authorized (certified) service personnel.
Replace missing, worn or illegible decals.
Keep owner’s (operator's) manual in lift-mounted manual storage pouch at all times.
Never modify (alter) a Braun Corporation lift.
Do not use accessory devices not authorized by The Braun Corporation.
Do not remove any guards or covers.
Keep clear of any hydraulic leak.
Failure to follow these safety precautions may result in serious bodily injury and/or prop-
erty damage.
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Page 12
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Read and become
familiar with all lift
operation safety
precautions, pre-lift
operation notes and
details, operating
instructions and
manual operating
instructions prior to
operating the lift. If
this information is not
fully understood,
contact The Braun
Corporation immedi-
ately. Failure to do so
may result in serious
bodily injury and/or
property damage.
Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
VL917 Series lift models are specifi-
cally designed to be operated by an
attendant. The Lift Operating
Instructions contained in this manual
and posted on the lift provide
instructions for operation of the lift
only. Read and become familiar
with all lift operation safety precau-
tions, pre-lift operation notes and
details, operating instructions and
manual operating instructions before
attempting lift operation procedures.
Lift Access Doors and Lift Inter-
locks: Attendants must become
familiar with the vehicle lift access
door system and the interlock
system (if equipped), as well as the
proper operation of the lift. Transit
vehicles and lift access door con-
figurations vary. Door securement
devices (latches, hooks, cables,
etc.) and procedures to operate
them vary.
Lift interlocks are required by nearly
all transit authorities. Instructions for
operation of interlocks and door
securement systems cannot be
addressed in this manual or on lift-
posted operating instructions decals
due to the variety of procedures
required for operating them. Note:
A green indicator light is built into the
pump module that illuminates when
remote interlock(s) are made (see
page 5 for further details).
It is the responsibility of the lift
operator (attendant) to properly
open, secure and close the vehicle
lift door(s), to activate the lift interlock
(if equipped), to load and unload the
wheelchair passenger (or standee)
on and off the lift platform, and to
properly activate all lift functions.

Page 13
Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
Red DOWN/UP Switch
Orange OUT/IN Switch
Press
switch
left for
DOWN
(To Lower)
Press
switch
right for
UP
(To Raise)
Press
switch
left for
UNFOLD
(Out)
Press
switch
right for
FOLD
(In)
General Safety: The lift operator (attendant)
and bystanders must keep clear of the area in
which the lift operates and clear of all moving
parts. Lift attendants must ensure that lift
occupants (passengers) keep hands, arms and all
other body parts within the lift occupant area and
clear of moving parts.
The hand-held attendant’s control box provides
an orange UNFOLD/FOLD (Out/In) switch and
a red DOWN/UP switch. The control switches
are color-coded to correspond to the color
coding and switch function labels that appear
on the lift-posted operating instructions decal.
Triangular-shaped color-coded symbols ( )
appear on the lift operating instructions decal.
The color of the symbol corresponds to the
color of the corresponding switch. The direc-
tion (point) of the symbol corresponds with the
direction the switch should be pressed (acti-
vated) to produce the intended lift function.
Lift Control Switches

Page 14
Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
Lift Features
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Discontinue lift use
immediately if any lift
component does not
operate properly.
Failure to do so may
result in serious
bodily injury and/or
property damage.
Become familiar with all lift
features and the proper opera-
tion of the lift components
before attempting lift operation.
Refer to the Lift Terminology
Illustrations for identification of
specific lift components if not
Lift-Tite™Latches: VL917 Vista
Series lifts are equipped with Lift-
Tite™Latches. Lift-Tite™Latches
prevent the platform from unfold-
ing from the stowed position in
Engaged
Lift-Tite™
Latch
Latch
Engagement
Pin (Roller)
clearly depicted in this section.
Contact The Braun Corporation at
1-800-THE LIFT immediately if
any of this information is not
understood.

Page 15
the event of platform drift. Due to
the “all-hydraulic”operation of the
dual-cylinder VL917, hydraulic
fluid expansion, contraction or
seepage may occur. Any of these
conditions may result in platform
drift (failure to hold the platform in
the folded or raised position).
Platform drift may occur during lift
shipment and/or between ex-
tended periods of non-lift use.
In the event the platform does
not unfold when the UNFOLD
switch is pressed, press the
FOLD switch momentarily to
disengage the Lift-Tite™latches
(platform drift has occurred).
Then, press the UNFOLD switch
to unfold the platform to floor
level (standard operation).
When manually operating a lift
equipped with Lift-Tite™latches,
insert the pump handle in the
pump and stroke until the plat-
form folds fully (stops). Then,
open the hand pump valve (turn
counterclockwise) to unfold the
platform.
Folding the platform fully first will
ensure that the Lift-Tite™latches
will disengage properly when
the release valve is opened (in
event of platform drift). Manual
Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
Disengaged
Lift-Tite™
Latch
Latch
Engagement
Pin (Roller)

Page 16
Automatic Inboard Roll
Stop and Bridge Plate “IB”
Fully Folded
(vertical)
Inboard
Roll Stop
The inboard roll stop “IB”
must overlap the base
plate aminimum 1/2".
Fully Unfolded
(horizontal)
Inboard Roll Stop
(bridging position)
Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
Operating Instructions are
provided on pages 30-34.
Automatic Inboard Roll Stop
and Bridge Plate: VL917IB lift
models are equipped with an
automatic inboard roll stop that
also serves as the bridge plate
(automatic inboard roll stop
photos below).
When the UNFOLD switch is
pressed and the platform unfolds
from stow position to floor level,
the roll stop/bridge plate is
automatically deployed to the
bridging (horizontal) position to
provide a bridge plate between
the platform and the lift base plate
(vehicle floor). The inboard edge
of the bridge plate rests on the lift
base plate.
The roll stop/bridge plate auto-
matically folds (rotates) to the
vertical (roll stop) position when
the platform lowers to the ground
(DOWN switch is pressed).
Lift Features (continued)

Page 17
Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
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Discontinue lift use
immediately if any lift
component does not
operate properly.
Failure to do so may
result in serious
bodily injury and/or
property damage.
As the UP switch is pressed and
the platform raises from ground
level, the roll stop/bridge plate
automatically unfolds (rotates) to
the horizontal (bridging) position
when it reaches vehicle floor
level. The roll stop must overlap
the lift base plate a minimum 1/2".
When the FOLD switch is
pressed and the platform folds
from floor level to the stow
(vertical) position, the roll stop/
bridge plate automatically travels
inboard to the stowed position.
Read warning posted at left.
Discontinue lift operation
immediately if the roll stop
does not operate properly.
Automatic Outboard Roll Stop:
The outboard roll stop provides a
ramp for wheelchair loading and
unloading at ground level (see
photos at right). When the
platform lowers fully to ground
level, the roll stop activation feet
automatically unfold (rotate) the
roll stop down to the ramp
position (fully unfolded). The two
Activation
Feet
Fully-Unfolded Roll Stop (Ramp position)
Fully-Folded Roll Stop (Up-vertical)

Page 18
Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
Lift Features (continued)
activation feet (one at both ends
of the roll stop) ensure roll stop
operation on an uneven surface.
The roll stop is spring-loaded to
automatically fold (rotate) to the
vertical position when the UP
switch is pressed. As the activa-
tion feet lift off the ground, the
torsion springs rotate the roll stop
to the vertical position.
Note: The platform raises
approximately two inches before
the roll stop reaches the fully UP
position. Discontinue lift
operation immediately if the
roll stop does not operate
properly.
Outboard Roll Stop Operation:
The lift operator (attendant) must
press the DOWN switch to lower
the platform fully to the ground.
The attendant must view the
platform as it lowers to be certain
the entire platform reaches and
rests safely on the ground. Stop
pressing the DOWN switch if any
portion of the platform is ob-
structed while descending or the
entire platform does not reach
ground level for any reason
(contact with an obstruction,
mechanical failure, exceeding the
lift “floor-to-ground”capacity,
etc.).
After the platform is fully lowered
(entire platform reaches the
ground), the roll stop must
remain in the fully unfolded
(ramp) position until the entire
wheelchair (or standee) has
crossed the roll stop when
loading or unloading at ground
level. When raising the platform,
the lift operator (attendant) must
view the platform as it raises to
ensure the roll stop rotates to the
vertical position. Discontinue lift
operation immediately if the
roll stop does not operate
properly.
Handrails: Dual handrails are
provided for wheelchair passen-
ger (or standee) use. The
handrails unfold automatically to
the deployed (horizontal) position
when the lift unfolds and auto-
matically fold to the stowed
(vertical) position when the
platform folds.
Passengers should grip both