Braun VL955 User manual

Operator's Manual for:
Consumer Wheelchair Lifts
KA.**
KA.**
Operator's Manual
Operator's Manual
W
ARNING
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
30197
January 2004
30197
January 2004
Patent #7,413,395
Patent #5,261,779 Patent #5,806,632 Patents Pending
Patent #7,413,395
Patent #5,261,779 Patent #5,806,632 Patents Pending
Vista SeriesTM
"Providing Access to the World"
International Corporate Hdqrs: P.O. Box 310 Winamac, IN 46996 USA
1-800-THE LIFT [phone] FAX: [phone]
®
®
VL955 Vista Series
VL955 Vista Series TM
TM

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
Congratulations

Contents
Lift Terminology
Lift Terminology Illustration .................................... 2
Introduction ............................................................ 3
Direction ................................................................. 3
Lift Components .................................................. 3, 4
Lift Actions and Functions ...................................... 5
Lift Operation Safety
Safety Symbols ...................................................... 6
Lift Operation Safety Precautions ......................7-10
Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
General Safety ................................................ 11, 12
Lift Control Switches ....................................... 12, 13
Lift Features
Bridge Plate ................................................... 14
Automatic Floor Level Switching .................... 14
Automatic Outboard Roll Stop .................. 15, 16
Bridging .......................................................... 16
Handrails ........................................................ 16
Lift Passengers
Passenger Orientation (Boarding Direction) ... 17
Vehicle (Floor Level) Loading and
Unloading ....................................................... 17
Wheelchair-Equipped Occupant Seat Belts .......... 18
Operation Procedure Review .......................... 18, 19
Preventive Maintenance.................................. 19, 20
Lift Operating Instructions ............................ 21-27
Manual Operating Instructions ..................... 28-30
Decals and Antiskid ...................................... 31, 32
Maintenance and Lubrication ...................... 33, 34
Warranty and Registration Instructions ...... 35, 36
Page 1

Pump
Module
(Rear)
Module-mounted
Control Switches
Towers (2)
Pump Side
Cylinder
Base Plate
Unfold Assist Compression Springs (2)
Top Parallel Arms (2)
Adjustable Guided Stow Blocks (2)
Opposite Pump Side Cylinder
Vertical Arm Covers (4)
Opposite Pump Side Vertical Arm
Handrail-mounted Up/Down Switch
Platform Side Plates (2) Automatic Outboard Roll Stop
Rotating Pivot
Slide Arms (2)
Platform Pivot Arms (2)
Pump Side Vertical Arm
Bottom Parallel
Arms (2)
OutboardLeft (Rear)
Right (Front)Inboard
Lift Terminology
Illustration
Roll Stop Activation Feet (2)
Bridge Plate
Handrails (2)
Page 2
Outboard
Platform
Inboard
Platform

Lift Terminology
Introduction:
Braun VL955 Vista Series lifts are
consumer oriented (designed to
allow operation by the wheelchair
passenger). VL955 lift models
provide fully automatic operation
of all lift functions as well as
optional automatic door operators
(if so equipped).
Lift model VL955U3144 is de-
picted in the Lift Terminology
illustration. Lift model numbers
indicate platform/roll stop configu-
ration and physical dimensions.
Lift operation procedures are
identical for all VL955 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 func-
tions. 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
Illustration for clarification of
direction terms.
Lift Components
Refer to the Lift Terminology
Illustration for identification of lift
components.
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.
Module-mounted Control
Switches: The pump module is
equipped with three color-coded
and function-labeled control
switches (OPEN/CLOSE, IN/OUT
Page 3

Lift Terminology
Page 4
between the lift platform and the
vehicle floor when the platform is
positioned at floor level.
Dual Handrails: Dual handrails
are provided for wheelchair
passenger use. The handrails
automatically unfold to the
deployed position when the
platform unfolds and fold auto-
matically to the stowed position
when the platform folds. The
passenger may choose to grip the
handrails when on the lift platform
(if applicable). Note: An addi-
tional UP/DOWN control switch is
built into the right (front) handrail.
Platform Assembly: The lift
“stacking” platform assembly is
made up of an inboard platform
section and an outboard platform
section (each section consisting
of a steel tubing frame with
grating surface). The outboard
platform section is equipped with
the outboard roll stop.
Automatic Roll Stop: The
spring loaded automatic roll stop
provides a ramp for wheelchair
loading and unloading at ground
level. Photos and further details
regarding the outboard roll stop
are provided in the Pre-Lift
Operation Notes and Details
section.
Manual Operation System: A
manual backup hand pump is
built into the pump module. The
lift platform can be unfolded,
lowered, raised and folded using
the hand pump. Manual Opera-
tion Instructions are provided on
pages 28-30.
and UP/DOWN). The switches
activate the automatic lift func-
tions and optional door operators.
Further details are provided in the
Pre-Lift Operation section (page
12).
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.
Bridge Plate: The hinged bridge
plate assembly bridges the gap
Lift Components (continued)

Lift Terminology
Page 5
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 IN switch is 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 automati-
cally 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.
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
OUT 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, the outboard roll stop

Safety Symbols
Lift Operation Safety
SAFETY FIRST! Know That ...
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
Note: 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.
W
ARNING
This symbol indicates
important safety
information regarding
a potentially hazard-
ous situation that
could result in serious
bodily injury and/or
property damage.
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.
C
AB
D
Page 6

Lift Operation Safety Precautions
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.
Lift Operation Safety
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
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.
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
Page 7
W
ARNING
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.
W
ARNING

W
ARNING
Whenever a wheelchair passenger (or standee) is on the platform, the:
• Wheelchair brakes must be locked
• Roll stop(s) must be up (vertical)
• 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.
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
Lift Operation Safety
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
Page 8
Lift Operation Safety Precautions (continued)

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 stop 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 the entire wheelchair crosses roll stop when
loading or unloading at ground level.
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
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.
Page 9
Accidental activation of control switch(es) may cause unintended operation(s).
Maintenance and lubrication procedures must be performed as specified in this manual by
authorized (certified) service personnel.
W
ARNING

Lift Operation Safety
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
W
ARNING
Page 10
Replace missing, worn or illegible decals.
Keep this operator's manual in lift-mounted manual storage pouch when not in use.
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 property
damage.
Lift Operation Safety Precautions (continued)

Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
Braun VL955 Vista Series lifts are
consumer oriented (designed to
allow operation by the wheelchair
passenger). VL955 Series lifts are
typically installed in vehicles
equipped with fully-automatic door
operators. The VL955 provides fully
automatic operation of all lift func-
tions as well as optional automatic
door operators (if so equipped).
Note: An attendant must manually
open and close lift door(s) in appli-
cations where power door
operator(s) are not provided.
It is the responsibility of the lift
operator (attendant and/or wheel-
chair passenger) to properly activate
all power (lift and door) functions.
Read and become familiar with all lift
operation safety precautions, pre-lift
operation notes and details, lift
operating instructions and manual
operating instructions before at-
tempting lift operating procedures.
Become familiar with all lift features
and the proper operation of the lift
components before attempting lift
operation. Refer to the Lift Terminol-
ogy section for identification of and
description of lift components.
Contact The Braun Corporation
immediately if any of this information
is not fully understood. Call 1-800-
THE LIFT.
General Safety: Before operating
the lift, always engage the vehicle
transmission in Park “P” and engage
the vehicle parking brake. Lift
operators (attendants), wheelchair
passengers and bystanders must
keep clear of the area in which the
power doors (if equipped), and the lift
W
ARNING
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.
Page 11

Page 12
Pump Module Control
Switches: The lift-mounted
Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
Door(s) Platform
Press switches upward
for these functions:
Press switches downward
for these functions:
CLOSE IN (Fold) UP
OPEN OUT (Unfold) DOWN
Door(s) Platform
Yellow Orange Red
Yellow Orange Red
operates (clear of all moving
parts). The lift occupant (passen-
ger) must keep hands, arms and
all other body parts within the lift
Control Switches
occupant area and clear of
moving parts. Follow all lift
operation and wheelchair passen-
ger information detailed in this
manual.
W
ARNING
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.
control switches are color-coded
and function-labeled to corre-
spond to the color coding and
switch-function labels that appear
on the lift 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
switch to be used. The direction
(point) of the symbol corresponds
with the direction the switch
should be activated (pressed) to
produce the intended lift function.

Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
UP
DOWN
Handrail UP/DOWN Switch: A
spring-loaded horizontal-slide
style switch is built in the right
(front) handrail. The handrail UP/
DOWN switch activates the
platform and the roll stop (same
as pump-mounted UP/DOWN
switch). Slide the switch knob out
to the UP position to raise the
platform. Slide the knob in to the
DOWN position to lower the
platform.
Auxiliary Control Switches: A
six-touch remote control system,
a third station control, a hand-
held control and an outside
control station are available as
options. All auxiliary controls
activate lift functions and auto-
matic door operators except the
hand-held control. The hand-
held control activates lift func-
tions only.
Do not press lift-mounted
switches and auxiliary control
station switches at the same
time. Do not attempt to interface
aftermarket control systems.
Braun Corporation After-
market Control Systems
Policy:
The Braun Corporation
manufactures dedicated
control systems for its
products. These control
systems have been de-
signed and tested for use in
conjunction with specific
Braun products. Braun
control systems are the only
control systems authorized
for use with Braun products.
Do not attempt to interface
aftermarket control systems
with Braun products. To do
so may result in serious
bodily injury and/or prop-
erty damage.
Page 13

Page 14
Bridge Plate: The hinged bridge
plate assembly bridges the gap
between the lift platform and the
vehicle floor when the platform is
positioned at floor level.
When the OUT (Unfold) switch is
pressed and the platform unfolds
from stow position to floor level,
the bridge plate is automatically
deployed to the bridging (hori-
zontal) position. When the IN
(Fold) switch is pressed and the
platform folds from deployed
(horizontal) position to stowed
position, the bridge plate folds
(rotates) to the vertical position.
Automatic Floor Level Switch-
ing: When the platform unfolds
from the stowed position, the
platform stops automatically at
floor level when fully unfolded.
When raising the platform from
ground level, the platform
automatically stops at floor level
when raised fully.
Although the VL955 features
automatic floor level switching,
the lift operator (wheelchair
Lift Features
Fully-Unfolded (horizontal)
Bridge Plate (bridging position)
Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
passenger or attendant), must
view the platform to be certain
the platform is properly posi-
tioned at vehicle floor level and
the bridge plate is properly
positioned when a passenger is
entering or exiting the vehicle.
If the lift platform does not
automatically stop at floor level
as outlined, discontinue lift
operation immediately.
Platform Assembly: The VL955
“stacking” platform assembly is
made of an inboard platform
section and an outboard platform
section (each section consisting
of a steel tubing frame with
grating surface). The outboard
platform section is equipped with
the automatic roll stop.

Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
Fully-Unfolded Roll Stop (Ramp position)
Activation
Feet
Fully-Folded Roll Stop (Up-vertical)
Page 15
Automatic Outboard Roll Stop:
The outboard roll stop provides a
ramp for wheelchair loading and
unloading at ground level (see
photos at left). 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 (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
activation 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 opera-
tion immediately if the roll stop
does not operate properly.
Outboard Roll Stop Operation:
The lift operator must press the
DOWN switch to lower the
platform fully to the ground. The
lift operator or attendant must
view the platform as it lowers to
be certain the entire platform
reaches and rests safely on the
ground (see photo on page 16).
Stop pressing the DOWN switch if
any portion of the platform is
obstructed 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.).

Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
Page 16
W
ARNING
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.
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 has crossed the roll
stop when loading or unloading at
ground level. When raising the
platform, the lift operator must
view the platform as it raises to
ensure the roll stop rotates to the
vertical position.
Bridging: The VL955 incorpo-
rates a bridging feature. This
feature stops the down travel of
the platform if the outboard end
of the platform contacts a raised
surface (such as a curb), prevent-
ing the operator from lowering the
inboard end of the platform.
Handrails: Dual handrails are
provided for wheelchair passen-
ger (or standee) use. The
handrails automatically unfold to
the deployed position when the
platform unfolds and fold auto-
matically to the stowed position
when the platform folds. The
passenger may choose to grip
the handrails when on the lift
platform (if applicable).
Note: The right (front) handrail
is equipped with an UP/DOWN
control switch (details in Control
Lift Features (continued)
The lift operator or attendant
must be certain the entire
platform reaches and rests
safely on the ground.

Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
Page 17
Switches section). Discontinue
lift operation immediately if the
handrails do not operate
properly.
Lift Passengers
Do not attempt to load or unload
a passenger in a wheelchair or
other apparatus that does not fit
on the platform area. Do not
exceed the 800 pound load
capacity of the lift.
Passenger Orientation (Board-
ing Direction): The wheelchair
passenger must face outward
whenever on the platform.
The passenger must be posi-
tioned in the center of the
platform to prevent side-to-side
load imbalance. Other persons
should not ride on the platform
with the wheelchair passenger.
The wheelchair brakes must be
locked and the roll stop must be
in the fully-up (vertical) position
whenever a wheelchair passen-
ger is on the platform.
Do not use the outboard roll stop
as a barrier (brake). Stop and
brake the wheelchair when fully
loaded on the platform. Manually
stop and brake manual wheel-
chairs. Stop powered wheelchairs
with the wheelchair controls. Turn
powered (electric) wheelchairs off
when on the platform.
Vehicle (Floor Level) Loading
and Unloading: The platform
must be fully raised (at floor
level) and the bridge plate must
be properly positioned when
loading or unloading a passenger
in or out of the vehicle. Although
the VL955 features automatic
floor level switching, it is the
responsibility of the lift opera-
tor to ensure the platform and
the bridge plate are properly
positioned at floor level when
loading and unloading passen-
gers.
If the roll stop, bridge plate,
handrails or any other lift compo-
nent does not operate as outlined
in this manual, discontinue lift
use immediately and contact
your sales representative or call
The Braun Corporation at 1-800-
THE LIFT. One of our national
Product Support representatives
will direct you to an authorized
service technician who will
inspect your lift.

W
ARNING
Position and secure
(buckle, engage,
fasten, etc.) the
wheelchair-equipped
occupant seat belt
before loading onto
the wheelchair lift
platform. Failure to
do so may result in
serious bodily injury
and/or property
damage.
The Braun Corporation recom-
mends wheelchair passengers
position and buckle their wheel-
chair-equipped seat belt (torso
restraint) as specified by the
manufacturer before loading onto
a wheelchair lift.
Different types of disabilities
require different types of wheel-
chairs and different types of
wheelchair-equipped occupant
restraint belt systems (torso
restraint). It is the responsibility
of the wheelchair passenger to
have his or her wheelchair
equipped with an occupant
restraint (seat belt) under the
direction of their health care
professional.
Wheelchair lift attendants should
be instructed on any special
needs and/or procedures required
for safe transport of wheelchair
passengers.
Operation Procedure Review
The Braun Corporation recom-
mends that the wheelchair lift
user and/or attendant review the
safety precautions and operation
procedures appearing in this
manual and on lift-posted decals
with your wheelchair lift sales
representative, before attempting
lift operation. Any questions or
concerns can be answered by
your sales representative at that
time.
Using your own wheelchair,
operate the lift through all
functions and enter and exit the
Wheelchair-Equipped Occupant Seat Belts
Pre-Lift Operation Notes and Details
Page 18